Adoniram Judson: Devoted for Life

by Vance Christie

Explore the life of America’s first foreign missionary, Adoniram Judson (1788–1850), who was devoted to serving God for over 38 years in Burma, no matter the cost. The son of a congregational minister, Judson was a precocious young man who aspired to gain exceptional worldly fame through some prominent secular career. But following a crisis of faith and a stunning turn of events that exposed the vanity of mere temporal pursuits, he went on to study for the Christian ministry and to dedicate his life to missionary service. With unshakable faith in God and His Word, Judson persevered through staggering difficulties. His unremitting labor and devotion were used of the Lord to spread the Gospel and to establish healthy Christian congregations throughout Burma. Judson’s example was an inspiration to untold thousands in his own day and still has the power to encourage and instruct believers today.

Genres: Biography, Christian, History

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2013

About the author

Vance Christie is a pastor and author best known for vivid retelling of missionary stories. He lives in Aurora, Nebraska and has previously written for the 'Heroes of the Faith' series. His website is www.vancechristie.com.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gripping, compelling, convicting. I'm so appreciative of the research involved in this book. And I'm pierced by Judson's devotion and sense of responsibility and burden. The only quibble I have with the author is when Christie writes that Judson was attracted to Emily's "keen mind, warm heart and enthusiastic spirit" rather than her physical beauty as "she did not possess the striking physical attractiveness of Judson's former wives." When these wives, who devoted themselves to being a tireless man's helpmate, receive such limited, sometimes passing mention, Christie is gonna give a couple sentences to how physically attractive one of them wasn't?!! Being Judson's helpmate sounds grueling: dysentery and sorrow are not preservatives of beauty. Of all the things that could be said about the women in Judson's biography, V. Christie just makes an ass of himself telling me Emily wasn't pretty.

The more troubling aspect of Judson's biography (for me) is considering the cost he paid to be "devoted for life": his family. I am convicted by Judson's sense of burden for people without access to the gospel. I can't shake that conviction. But I am also horrified by the epilogue where we see Judson's own children separated from their father's discipleship. I was very moved by Sarah Edwards' biography (Marriage To A Difficult Man) and learning the far-reaching impact of her devoted discipleship of her children. I realize time and culture and whatever else separate these examples, but still, it's difficult for me to reconcile Judson's unswerving sacrifice of his children.

Altogether a VERY recommendable book; Judson's story compels praise, sorrow, prayer and sincere conversation among others who aim (in varied callings) to be "devoted for life."

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books from the life of Adoniram Judson and find every one of them to provide unique insight: Ann of Ava, Sarah Judson, The Three Mrs. Judsons, To the Golden Shore, and now this one. Each has much to recommend them, and I heartily suggest them all.

This biography was well written and while it had much overlap from earlier reading it seems to have some additional material. The sacrifice and love for the Lord Jesus is evident in the lives of Judson and each of his extraordinary wives. Two things that commend themselves from these books: First, the sacrifice and struggle that was endured to tell the lost of the Gospel. Second, the fact that Judson began his life desiring fame, but was convinced by God to turned from the obvious path of success and submitted to a life of seeming obscurity. Then, through a life of toil and servitude, Judson received the fame he had initially sought. However, at that point he no longer desired it, instead he did whatever he could to avoid it and to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Rick Dugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive account of the life and ministry of Adoniram Judson, the first American missionary to Burma. The values and hardships of another time can be shocking, yet underneath it all we see a life driven by faith in the power of the gospel. What especially impressed me was Judson's commitment to bearing fruit for the kingdom in terms of evangelism and discipleship. He was willing to change location, change methods, change long-held beliefs when he discovered that such change would facilitate the spread of the gospel. How different the church today would be if our leaders had reproducible, sustainable, multigenerational discipleship as the primary metric by which they evaluated their ministries.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading. Gives a good overall summary of his life. Informative and challenging.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always wondered what I would say if I met Apostle Paul, or David, or Moses, or Jesus. What I would ask them. What about their life would I like to know? The life of Adoniram Judson helps give some perspective on how to begin thinking about such questions. He was truly a remarkable man, yet as human as the next man. God is alive, and indeed working throughout his life and missionary career, through the trials and through the joy. I marvel at the thought of living such a life, devoted to fulfilling God's compassion, and crave it all the more.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving account of America's first missionary, Adoniram Judson, and his efforts to proclaim the gospel in Burma. He endured incredible suffering and yet remained faithful and "devoted for life" to the call of God on his life. This book is long and at many points overwhelmingly sad or a bit
tedious with dates and names that you can't keep track of, but still worth the read.

[Shannon Shackleford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Christie's biography of Adoniram Judson. He grabbed my attention at the very beginning and held it til the close. "Devoted for Life"!

[Gowdy Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many details in this account of the life of truly one of the great missionaries to ever live. I have heard about and read about his story for nearly 20 years but this book told me many things I didn't know. His life is inspiring in the most God-honoring ways possible - the ways he kept going in spite of suffering, his lists of life "rules" that he updated periodically (Private prayer was always on the list), the way he used his deep intellect to write and translate and disciple...it goes on and on. I pray now that I can put into practice even a few of the things he did and how he did them. What a life. What a testimony to "only what's done for God will last". Burma/Myanmar is still a persecuted country to this day but the difference he made in millions of lives blows me away. Incredible missionary biography.

[Tanner Callison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply moving.

The life of Adoniram Judson is fascinating and stirring to the soul. To see a thoroughly devoted life in all aspects provokes a desire to live differently. May every soul who reads this biography be moved to worship Christ and devote their all to the cause of Christ in this world.

[Redlanternlady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed this biography of a missionary who suffered so much. This book was sad and sobering but also inspiring and encouraging to see the overall tenor of endurance over Judson's life and work. Being a missionary at this time was so challenging!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excellent. I read this last week while I was in Myanmar. From the dying of this seed in Myanmar's soil, has sprung forth such fruit as could never have been anticipated. May Jesus Christ be praised!

[Jeshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book. Amazing character. Amaszingest God who shone through the pages of the biography. My only reason for four star instead of five is that the biographer seemed to at times lack an emotional attachment to the story, seeming almost detached.

[Jacqueline Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really comprehensive book on Adoniram Judson’s life. I really appreciated the personal letters and journal entries included that helped me get to know him and his family. His work in Burma is insane, an encouragement to any Christian!!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like reading Judson's life story. I think I prefer To The Golden Shore.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy biographies like this. God used this to convict and encourage me.

[Chuay Fen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring read! A man who loves God above himself! Recommended for all Christians!

[Michael Burchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of Americas first baptist missionary to Burma. Not as detailed as Courtney Andersons "To the Golden Shore" - but compelling nonetheless.

[Stephen Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Christian books I've ever read

[Richard Klueg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Convicting and encouraging!