The Legacy of William Carey: A Model for the Transformation of a Culture

by Vishal Mangalwadi

He was an industrialist. An economist. A medical humanitarian. A media pioneer. An educator. A moral reformer. A botanist. And a Christian missionary. And he did more for the transformation of the Indian subcontinent in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries than any other individual before or since. Many know of William Carey. Some know about the specifics of his work and ministry. But few understand the profound contemporary significance of his life. Few realize how much we owe the increasing globalization of Christianity to the silent revolution he initiated. Fewer still are aware of his legacy of sensitivity to the variety of issues confronting true gospel witness in any culture. This biography about the central character in the story of India's modernization and transformation will help you understand Carey's impact. But The Legacy of William Carey is more than a biography. It is a charge to all Christians to respond in kind within our own cultures, and to use Carey's example as our model for taking the light of the Gospel into every corner of society. If we follow in his footsteps, not only will lives be bettered this side of heaven, but hearts will be changed for eternity--and entire cultures transformed for Christ.

Genres: Biography, History, India, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Church History

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 1999

About the author

Vishal Mangalwadi (1949-) is an international lecturer, social reformer, cultural and political columnist, and author of thirteen books. Born and raised in India, he studied philosophy at universities, in Hindu ashrams, and at L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland. In 1976 he turned down several job offers in the West to return to India where he and his wife, Ruth, founded a community to serve the rural poor. Vishal continued his involvement in community development serving at the headquarters of two national political parties, where he worked for the empowerment and liberation of peasants and the lower castes.

His first book, The World of Gurus, was published in 1977 by India's Vikas Publishing House, and serialized in India’s then-largest weekly, Sunday. It is still used as a text book in universities. It was Mangalwadi’s book on the New Age Movement and India: The Grand Experiment, that first brought his works to the attention of the American public. In demand worldwide, Vishal is a dynamic and engaging speaker who has lectured in 34 countries. He enjoys simplifying complex ideas and inspiring despairing hearts with hope.

Reviews

[Peter D'Souza · Rating 3 out of 5]

The influence of William Carey upon the nation of India can hardly be understated, and yet, he is hardly known outside of the Christian missionary community. A very good read.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the final chapter: "Our mistake today is that some who believe the Gospel look upon it merely as a means of private salvation, for going to heaven. They do not seem to realize that the Gospel is the God-given 'public truth'—the means of organizing a decent society" (p. 129). This book is an eye-opening argument for the application of the Gospel to all of society. William Carey did not see the Gospel as only about personal salvation; rather, he saw the Gospel as the means to transform society as Christ conquers all the world! "Carey knew the Gospel to be the only effective antidote to social evils." This is a must-read for Christian ministers who applaud Carey's missionary efforts yet stand opposed to the heart of Carey: seeing entire nations transformed and conquered for Christ.

[Lydia Ferrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for book club. I think it would have been more beneficial to read a full biography, and maybe his book, if you really care.

[Anthony Cappoferri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of an incredible human being who so transformed an entire Nation and it’s culture and scientific understanding, that his impact is still being felt today. That man is William Carey and that Nation is India. How does a lower class, uneducated, shoe-maker from England bring transformation, reformation along with scientific and societal enlightenment to an entire Nation? Only God. Carey’s is a story of what God can do through a person (any person, including you and I!) who chooses to believe His Word and follow His lead, by giving their all to a world in so much desperate need of His light, love, life, and truth. The Legacy of William Carey is an incredibly inspiring and well written account of William Carey and his utterly remarkable and impactful life. Not to mention, it also happens to be a world class blueprint on how one with the help of God can bring transformation and reformation to entire Nations and societies for generations by the simple belief that God is who He says He is and by sharing His message of love and redemption. I am incredibly inspired after reading this work and cannot recommend it more highly for anyone who desires to follow God with their whole heart and fulfill their call and destiny in bringing His Kingdom to earth.

[C.J. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and concise take on the reason behind Carey's desire for the transformation of a culture, though I think he falls short at points (that is, pertaining to his thesis/defense). Though Carey believed gospel belief was necessary for the transformation (or "civilization") of India (or anywhere else, for that matter), it appears that India's civilization took place without widespread evangelistic response (in the Indians, themselves).

Also, he should have cited all of his many quotes/references. Who doesn't take the time to do that with a published work like this?

[Steve Wegman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biography of the early 19th century British missionary to India, focusing on how Christianity changed India for the better. There has been so much criticism of how missionaries have destroyed cultures as they introduced Christianity. This book, by an Indian, highlights how much good was done by tearing down the negative aspects of that culture: The caste system, widow-icide, infanticide, child brides, the notion that fate inescapably controls one's life. These are things India (and any culture) can do without, and Carey's work did much to eradicate them.

[Joshua Reichard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Encouraging book about a missionary who gave his life to serve other people. A little too short for my liking however. It needed more depth more detail more life. I am not sure if this books goal is to make the reader want to learn more about William Carey or if it’s goal is to make you feel like the life of a missionary is easy. Either way not a bad read.

[Mrs. Sottiriou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great book to read if you have no background knowledge of Carey. The book largely assumes you know a lot about his background and doesn’t provide much detail on his story as a whole. The book isn’t linear in progression. Rather, it seems to assert topics and talk about points of relevance from Carey’s mission work in India to tie to the points. Very disorienting.

[Daniel Warne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is good content here, but you really need a good basis of understanding of William Carey before you read it. The book is quite disjointed and reads more as a series of essays than a true book. The last essay (chapter) is really insightful and would be a great article to read on its own provided one knows Carey.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with a few others that this book is a bit disorienting. It does not progress in a linear fashion. But none the less it is a good book. Carey's approach to missions in India is a great approach. It is worth the read, even if it is a bit hard to read at times.

[Bryan Neuschwander · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating study on the way gospel of the kingdom motivated Carey to transform a culture.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of the work William Carey did in India and how Biblical teaching changed the country. Worth reading.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most spell-binding book I've read, but it is enjoyable and I learned a lot about this phenomenal character and his accomplishments from an Indian perspective.

[Binoy Chacko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for evangelicals who think the only mission of the church is taking people to heaven!! brilliant book. Life transforming....

[Ken Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent tribute to a man who truly laid his life down to take the Gospel to the peoples of India. The Mangalwadis being themselves from India, they highly prize the contribution that William Carey made to their nation, and they provide a wonderful description of what he achieved in his lifetime as well as the long-term implications his achievements have had in India. The Mangalwadis don't make the mistake of over-glamourizing Carey, or of ignoring his weaknesses, but they do emphasize how effectively God was able to use this humble man from humble origins, who knew that he was an imperfect servant in the hands of his Master, to eternally impact an entire nation for Jesus.

[Brit · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was its ability to point out both the strengths and the weaknesses of Carey. Also we get more than a regular biography. We get an understanding of Carey's world view and what ultimately made his work succeed.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book dealing with different aspects of William Carey's life: his many different fields of interest and accomplishments, his influence regarding the role of a woman in India, his strength in weakness and in the gospel and his modernisation of Indian society.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicles the unbelievable impact of one person on the hundreds of millions who live on the sub continent.