Books

The Legacy of Adoniram Judson

A new biography shows behind the successful missionary were three matchless women.

In 1899, Harper’s Weekly dubbed Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson the 19th century’s second-most recognized name. Judson established the church in Burma (now Myanmar) and translated the New Testament amid great personal hardship, including the deaths of his wives and 21 months in jail. Judson’s career also had far-reaching effects in America: His decision to become Baptist galvanized efforts to form a national Baptist convention for the support of missionaries.

Bless God andTake Courage:The Judson Historyand Legacyby Rosalie Hall HuntJudson Press403 pp.; $21

Hunt argues, however, that Judson’s accomplishments were not his alone. During his career, he married three “matchless” women, each of whom “God uniquely touched” in order to serve the mission. In succession, Ann translated tracts and kept Adoniram alive while he was in prison; Sarah proved a remarkably adept linguist and evangelist; Emily was a talented writer and expositor of her husband’s career.

Hunt’s engaging and detailed book includes recently discovered letters between Adoniram and Emily. Hunt also delves into the Judson legacy in America and Burma. Although one occasionally wishes for a more critical assessment of the Judsons, Hunt paints a compelling picture of partnership between husbands and wives in service to God.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Bless God and Take Courage: The Judson History and Legacy is available from Christianbook.com and other book retailers.

More information is available from Judson Press.

For book lovers, our 2005 CT book awards are available online, along with our book awards for 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, and 1997, as well as our Books of the Twentieth Century. For other coverage or reviews, see our Books archive and the weekly Books & Culture Corner.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Our Latest

Analysis

Republicans and Democrats Clash on Epstein File Release

The Bulletin with Nicole Martin

The newest documents remind Christians to support sexual abuse victims.

Evangelicals Confront a Revolutionary Age

A Catholic on the campaign trail and the “possibly catastrophic character of what is happening under our eyes” caused deep concern in 1960.

News

Hindu Nationalists Attack Missionaries in Northern India

One victim describes the mob descending on their bus, a rare occurrence in Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir.

News

Armenia Holds Inaugural Prayer Breakfast Amid Church Arrests

Some see the crackdown as persecution, others challenge the national church’s ties to Russia.

Review

A New Jesus Horror Movie Wallows In Affliction

Peter T. Chattaway

“The Carpenter’s Son,” starring Nicolas Cage, is disconnected from biblical hope.

The Bulletin

Israeli Settler Violence, Epstein Emails, and BrinGing Back Purity

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

West Bank skirmishes, Congress releases Epstein documents mentioning Trump, and Gen Z reconsiders purity culture.

News

Christians from 45 Countries Call for Zion Church Pastor’s Release

Meanwhile in China, the house church continues to gather and baptize new believers.

News

Kenyan Clergy Oppose Bill Aimed at Regulating Churches

Moses Wasamu

Pastors say the proposed law could harm religious freedoms.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube