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Faithful Witness: Life And Mission Of William Carey
From a cobbler's shop in rural England, William Carey went on to become renowned as 'the father of modern missions'.
Driven by a burning desire to make Christ known, he spent the last forty years of his life in India. Despite his lack of education and many hardship (including the long-term depressive illness of his first wife Dorothy and the deaths of three children), he learnt several languages, translated the Bible, preached the gospel, administered a mission organization, and campaigned against evils in society.
Carey's example has inspired many to become cross-cultural missionaries. This biography highlights the vision of God that motivated him, and challenges us to recover his sense of mission to the whole world.
Driven by a burning desire to make Christ known, he spent the last forty years of his life in India. Despite his lack of education and many hardship (including the long-term depressive illness of his first wife Dorothy and the deaths of three children), he learnt several languages, translated the Bible, preached the gospel, administered a mission organization, and campaigned against evils in society.
Carey's example has inspired many to become cross-cultural missionaries. This biography highlights the vision of God that motivated him, and challenges us to recover his sense of mission to the whole world.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
155 people want to read
About the author
Timothy George
41 books21 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Timothy George is Dean at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He is also editor, together with his wife Denise, of the Library of Baptist Classics series. He previously was an associate professor of church history and historical theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky.
Timothy George is Dean at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He is also editor, together with his wife Denise, of the Library of Baptist Classics series. He previously was an associate professor of church history and historical theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 13, 2020
Une très bonne biographie de la vie de William Carey, appelé « le père des missions modernes » à juste titre.
May 2, 2018
After listening to a history professor--even one who has a deconstructionist bent--speak better of William Carey than I have when he comes up in my teaching, I realized I might need to dig a little deeper. Raised a few questions, got some good answers, and confessed I'd not read anything book-length about the man and wasn't sure where to start. This was my prof's recommendation. George draws on older volumes but tells the story in something closer to a modern voice, which makes it more readable than the older books. Not a long book, but sufficiently detailed to help me "fix" my own material.
I am still, however, looking for support for this claim by Joni Erickson Tada that William Carey's sister was a quadriplegic, his confidante, and prayed for him every day (http://www.joniandfriends.org/radio/4...) . All the sources seem to cite letters "to his sisters," and George points out that Mary (also known as Polly) was his favorite. Descriptions of his boyhood come from her and mention her following him around in his tromps through woods and meadow (clearly not housebound at that point). I need to dig a little more to see when (if?) she became paralyzed.
Meanwhile, George does provide a more sympathetic picture of William's efforts to be a good husband to the woman he refers to as "Poor Mrs. Carey," his first wife, and describes other struggles and tensions in a fairly sympathetic but not too worshipful language. If asked for a good biography of Carey, I might recommend this as a good choice. Need to take a look at the newer edition if I can and see what's still in print. The earliest biographies of Carey are probably available in some form online at this point.
My prof also made a case that Ruth Tucker's assessment of Carey (and especially of his marriage) was too harsh. Wm. could have sent Dolly to an institution somewhere but was committed to kindly caring for her at home, and even if he was off pursuing his many projects much of the time, the place in Serampore was a communal home. Hannah Marshman - who somehow didn't go mad after burying six of her own 12 children - was among those who made that house a home.
I am still, however, looking for support for this claim by Joni Erickson Tada that William Carey's sister was a quadriplegic, his confidante, and prayed for him every day (http://www.joniandfriends.org/radio/4...) . All the sources seem to cite letters "to his sisters," and George points out that Mary (also known as Polly) was his favorite. Descriptions of his boyhood come from her and mention her following him around in his tromps through woods and meadow (clearly not housebound at that point). I need to dig a little more to see when (if?) she became paralyzed.
Meanwhile, George does provide a more sympathetic picture of William's efforts to be a good husband to the woman he refers to as "Poor Mrs. Carey," his first wife, and describes other struggles and tensions in a fairly sympathetic but not too worshipful language. If asked for a good biography of Carey, I might recommend this as a good choice. Need to take a look at the newer edition if I can and see what's still in print. The earliest biographies of Carey are probably available in some form online at this point.
My prof also made a case that Ruth Tucker's assessment of Carey (and especially of his marriage) was too harsh. Wm. could have sent Dolly to an institution somewhere but was committed to kindly caring for her at home, and even if he was off pursuing his many projects much of the time, the place in Serampore was a communal home. Hannah Marshman - who somehow didn't go mad after burying six of her own 12 children - was among those who made that house a home.
April 28, 2016
A basic introduction to the life of William Carey, this book tells his story faithfully. Some missions biographies give you deep insights into the spiritual development of the subject and, in doing so, one feels as though they are growing along with the person at hand. I would not lump this book into that category, if memory serves me correctly. It is simply a straightforward account of God's work through Carey. That being said, Carey was highly influential as a pioneering missionary. He was one of the first to challenge the notion that if God wanted to reach the nations, He would do it himself. Carey overcame intense family struggles, opposition from others, and the loss of his translation work to fire as he sought to establish a work in India. While other accounts may take you deeper, this is a worthy read and will fuel the fire of burden for foreign missions in anyone likeminded.
March 2, 2025
Really good - well-researched and engaging writing, encouraging, inspiring.
I appreciated the author's perspective as a theologian, as he brought out what was most spiritually edifying and instructive in Carey's experiences without being too dry. He also traced the development of the theological movements happening in surrounding history and their influence in the story. He writes as one in sympathy with Carey's vision, desiring to push it forward to the next generations. But for all that, the book reads like a good story.
The appendix contains the full text of Carey's Enquiry which is well worth reading in its own right.
I appreciated the author's perspective as a theologian, as he brought out what was most spiritually edifying and instructive in Carey's experiences without being too dry. He also traced the development of the theological movements happening in surrounding history and their influence in the story. He writes as one in sympathy with Carey's vision, desiring to push it forward to the next generations. But for all that, the book reads like a good story.
The appendix contains the full text of Carey's Enquiry which is well worth reading in its own right.
April 5, 2025
This is an amazing book. Timothy George writes in a style that’s engaging and informative. A lot of biographies and history books feel overloaded with facts, but this book being 180 pages felt like the perfect amount to be introduced to Carey’s life. I genuinely feel so encouraged and edified by reading it. I read it for seminary but it was a joy to read. This book made me not only interested to read more about William Carey but only interested in Timothy George’s other books because it was just so well written. If you are interested in missions or Baptist history (two of the best things) this book is well worth your time.
January 15, 2022
A truly great account of an amazing missionary so unknown in this generation.
Although the writing can get a bit slow at times I really enjoyed it. Mr. Carey was an amazing man met by many different tough circumstances, but never lost sight of God or his purpose of being a missionary in India.
The fact he didn’t really have a ton of converts was surprising, but those that plant the seed don’t usually get to see the growth.
He was amazing! So humble and godly, wow!
Although the writing can get a bit slow at times I really enjoyed it. Mr. Carey was an amazing man met by many different tough circumstances, but never lost sight of God or his purpose of being a missionary in India.
The fact he didn’t really have a ton of converts was surprising, but those that plant the seed don’t usually get to see the growth.
He was amazing! So humble and godly, wow!
April 21, 2019
Wonderful biography of the father of the modern missions movement. An insightful look at the life and convictions of a man whose life left a mark on my own, as one who followed in Carey’s footsteps in living and ministering in a foreign land. I am so grateful for the legacy of William Carey.
December 1, 2025
Que história de vida impactante e encorajadora. Louvado seja Deus pela vida de Carey. O livro conta nos detalhes a sua história e como ele viveu para fazer missões na Índia. Legal que contém algumas fotos.
July 16, 2013
This is a fine biography of William Carey, the British missionary to India. While the biography could be more extensive, George provides enough detail to understand the impact of Carey's ministry. Carey was truly a remarkable man. That being said, George does not provide any negative details of Carey--poor decisions, failures, character flaws, etc. That might be the only real flaw in this work. However, I think George's style of writing--admiring and devotional--is preferable to a dry, disinterested account of Carey's life and work. This book contains the whole of Carey's famous "Enquiry" in an appendix that is 57 pages long.
April 25, 2007
I read this book thinking I would find an awesome, succssful story of a man who started a Christian movement in India. Instead I found a man who was very along, rejected and cheated in his desire to proclaim God to the nations. I was amazed at his passion for God, his comprehension of languages (30+), and his total dependency on God. What of his main phrases I loved was: Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God" After 40 yrs of ministry, he finally got one convert! This book inspired me to take my faith seriously and to act.
August 29, 2016
Dr. George does a good job of blending historical research, spiritual biography, and a well-written narrative. The resoluteness of Carey encourages me to follow God's call, even if things constantly go wrong.
April 2, 2017
Well written and informative biography of William Carey, dealing not only with Carey but also providing more insights into the lives of some of his contemporaries and current events of the time. Very pleased to see Carey's "Enquiry" published as an appendix, which is well worth reading!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews