The Value of Christian Biography
Historical AccountStory★★★★Jim Elliot, who perished while trying to reach the Auca Indians in 1956, left behind a journal that has deeply moved multitudes and been the means of many young people giving their lives to missions. Interestingly, Elliot’s own interest in missions was whetted while reading another journal. ln Shadow of the Altnighty, Elisabeth Elliot quotes from Jim’s journal, dated October 24, 1949: I see the value of Christian biography tonight, as I have been reading Brainerd’s Diary much today. It stirs me up much to pray and wonder at my nonchalance while I have not power from God.
I have considered Hebrews 13:7 just now, regarding the remembrance of certain ones who spake the word of God, “consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.” 1 Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not to Pray (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, ‘1988), 101-105. 2 Based on an interview with the author.
The point
Jim Elliot's journal reveals that reading David Brainerd's Diary stirred him to prayer and missions, demonstrating how Christian biography inspires faith and sacrifice.