What do you think?
Rate this book
Missions Biography #2
Adoniram Judson: How Few There Are Who Die So Hard!
Earnestly consider your role in completing the Great Commission.
That was John Piper's overarching plea when he delivered a biographical message on Adoniram Judson in 2003.
Judson was America's first foreign missionary and an example of one who considered, and executed on, his own uniquely strategic role in the completing of the Commission.
Though warned not to go to Burma, he entered the country almost 200 years ago — in July of 1813 — and there invested the next 38 years of his life preaching Christ where he had not been named.
And the cost was very high. But in God's perfect economy, his suffering had a plain purpose. As Piper explains, "I am persuaded from Scripture and from the history of missions that God's design for the evangelization of the world and the consummation of his purposes includes the suffering of his ministers and missionaries."
Originally an address to pastors, Piper's biography of Judson is now available in a short e-book that leads us to ask the same challenging question, "Might God be calling you to fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, to fall like a grain of wheat into some distant ground and die, to hate your life in this world and so to keep it forever and bear much fruit?"
That was John Piper's overarching plea when he delivered a biographical message on Adoniram Judson in 2003.
Judson was America's first foreign missionary and an example of one who considered, and executed on, his own uniquely strategic role in the completing of the Commission.
Though warned not to go to Burma, he entered the country almost 200 years ago — in July of 1813 — and there invested the next 38 years of his life preaching Christ where he had not been named.
And the cost was very high. But in God's perfect economy, his suffering had a plain purpose. As Piper explains, "I am persuaded from Scripture and from the history of missions that God's design for the evangelization of the world and the consummation of his purposes includes the suffering of his ministers and missionaries."
Originally an address to pastors, Piper's biography of Judson is now available in a short e-book that leads us to ask the same challenging question, "Might God be calling you to fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, to fall like a grain of wheat into some distant ground and die, to hate your life in this world and so to keep it forever and bear much fruit?"
29 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
609 books4,636 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 18, 2013
Inspiring short read. Free Ebook at Desiring God.
April 27, 2025
Rating: 4.25
I've read a lot about Adoniram Judson lately and enjoyed this biographical sermon by John Piper on his life and legacy. Piper argues that suffering is not just a consequence of Jesus' obedience and mission, but it is one of his chief strategies of his mission, which Judson exemplifies. Piper implores us to die to ourselves because "life is fleeting...we will all give an account before Jesus Christ, not only as to how well we have shepherded our flock, but how well we have obeyed the command to make disciples of all nations."
No matter how many times I hear about the Judsons' missionary endeavors in Burma, I will always be convicted and stirred up. Despite unimaginable calamity and misery, Adoniram remained faithful: "If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings."
Notable quote: "The question for us is not whether we will die, but whether we will die in a way that bears much fruit."
I've read a lot about Adoniram Judson lately and enjoyed this biographical sermon by John Piper on his life and legacy. Piper argues that suffering is not just a consequence of Jesus' obedience and mission, but it is one of his chief strategies of his mission, which Judson exemplifies. Piper implores us to die to ourselves because "life is fleeting...we will all give an account before Jesus Christ, not only as to how well we have shepherded our flock, but how well we have obeyed the command to make disciples of all nations."
No matter how many times I hear about the Judsons' missionary endeavors in Burma, I will always be convicted and stirred up. Despite unimaginable calamity and misery, Adoniram remained faithful: "If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings."
Notable quote: "The question for us is not whether we will die, but whether we will die in a way that bears much fruit."
December 12, 2024
“Adoniram inherited a deep belief in the sovereignty of God. The great importance here is to stress that this deep confidence in God's overarching providence through all calamity and misery sustained him to the end. He said, "If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings."
“How few there are… who die so hard.”
“How few there are… who die so hard.”
December 27, 2022
„Este posibil ca viața mea să fie scăpată; dacă așa va fi, cu ce ardoare îmi voi continua lucrarea! Dacă nu, voia Lui să se împlinească! Ușa va fi deja deschisă pentru ca alții să facă lucrarea mai bine”.
January 28, 2014
A rather brief biography of Adoniram Judson. Piper stressed more on the suffering he went through, which was very very immense. So many of his loved ones died, it was really unbelievable that a man could live through those experiences except by the Grace of God. Liked the way Piper put it by putting five points on the table for anyone who seeks to be part of the Great Commission. One point was clear, suffering is a prerequisite for to see the fruits of labor and the glory of God come.
August 1, 2015
This was a short introduction to Judson. It's delivered as a short sermon, so don't expect a biography. To give one's life for the sake of the gospel seems like the ultimate call, but aren't we all called to do the same? Obedience has a price and that price has a purpose. Judson's life and story will inspire you to consider your obedience to the Great Commission.
This book was a free download from Desiring God.
This book was a free download from Desiring God.
September 2, 2016
This is a very quick overview of a missionary's life and ministry. It is aimed to inspire more to persevere through suffering knowing that God uses suffering as one of his main instruments in the spead of the Gospel and the ministry of the Church.
John Piper writes to remind us that unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it will not bear fruit, but if it dies it will bear much fruit.
The ebook is available for free from DesiringGod.org
John Piper writes to remind us that unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it will not bear fruit, but if it dies it will bear much fruit.
The ebook is available for free from DesiringGod.org
October 15, 2013
A short and quick read on the amazing life of Adoniram Judson. You will be shocked and inspired by what he and his family endured for missions. Even though he had moments of doubt and despair he never really gave up. A great example to many.
Thanks to John Piper and Desiring God for making resources such as these available free to download and print!
Thanks to John Piper and Desiring God for making resources such as these available free to download and print!
January 7, 2014
THE HEART OF THIS BOOK IS THIS: God plans to make suffering a crucial means to
accomplish his purpose.AND The pain of Adoniram Judson illustrates the purpose
of suffering.
Quotable quote:
"I don’t just mean that suffering is the consequence of obedient
missions. I mean that suffering is one of Christ’s strategies
for the success of his mission."
accomplish his purpose.AND The pain of Adoniram Judson illustrates the purpose
of suffering.
Quotable quote:
"I don’t just mean that suffering is the consequence of obedient
missions. I mean that suffering is one of Christ’s strategies
for the success of his mission."
January 8, 2013
wow i would very much like to read an expanded biography of judson, his wives and life in burma. i always wondered what people meant with the phrase "die hard". know i know. wow. praise God for this man's life of service for the Gospel of Christ.
February 18, 2014
Excellent short biography on one of the most heroic figures of Christianity one can name
August 22, 2012
Awesome read very inspiring. What can we sacrifice for Christ like Judson did.
September 19, 2012
Awesome read, very inspiring. This man gave his life for Christ, convicting testimony.
October 14, 2012
This small book made me pray more and meditate of the preciosness of Great Commission, the ways how God ordains his gospel to be spread; and finally estimate myself in the context of His work.
November 3, 2014
Convicting, humbling, encouraging, powerful little book.
July 27, 2013
I really enjoy reading this book and learned a lot about Adoniram Judson!
January 22, 2018
The actual biographical material was good but Pipers commentary lacked in someways. First of all I didn’t care for the way the book was laid out, though I know it’s more of a missions lecture in print than a biography it’s not my cup of tea. Then Pipers insistence on hobby horsing Calvinism (a position I disagree with scripturally) was a bit much in my opinion. Let history speak for itself. On the positive side wow did AJ have an amazing life especially the story of his conversion is quite amazing.
December 29, 2023
Desiring God free e-book.
Incredible sacrifice by some of the early missionaries, and sobering to think of the persecution still taking place in ‘closed’ countries today.
We are far too comfortable.
Incredible sacrifice by some of the early missionaries, and sobering to think of the persecution still taking place in ‘closed’ countries today.
We are far too comfortable.
July 18, 2017
A call to missions, and a challenge to die continually to ourselves.
August 30, 2018
A biography of a man who gave up everything to bring the gospel to other parts of the world.
April 19, 2022
Heart-moving!
May 27, 2023
The story of Judson was less important to Piper than that his view of suffering in missions be told. Overall it was good to learn about Judson and it makes me desire a longer biography.
January 9, 2017
pretty short but free on Desiring God. All of these missionary stories are good.. and free..
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews