Ten Who Changed the World [Paperback]

Daniel L. Akin (Author), David Platt (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

Ten Who Changed the World is seminary president Daniel Akin’s powerful tribute to the transformational work done by some truly inspiring Christian missionaries. With each profile, he journeys into the heart of that gospel servant’s mission-minded story and makes a compelling connection to a similar account from the Bible.

David Brainerd (1718-1747; missionary to Native Americans) reminds Akin of Paul’s missionary life in 2 Timothy. The faithful ministry of George Leile (1750-1820; missionary to Jamaica) is aligned with Galatians 6.

William Carey (1761-1834; missionary to India) lives out the Great Commission of Matthew 28. There are parallels between Adoniram Judson (1788-1850; missionary to Burma) and Romans 8.

Lottie Moon (1840-1912; missionary to China) displays the power of a consecrated life described in Romans 12. The work of James Fraser (1886-1938; missionary to China) illustrates Revelation 5. Eric Liddell (1902-1945; missionary to China), his life documented in the film Chariots of Fire, illuminates Hebrews 12.

Together, John (1907-1934) and Betty Stam (1906-1934; missionaries to China) embodied Psalm 67. William Wallace (1908-1951; missionary to China) was a shining example of Philippians 1. Jim Elliot (1927-1956; missionary to Ecuador) is a bold reminder of Psalm 96.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Daniel L. Akin is president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. His previous books include Engaging Exposition, God on Sex, and A Theology for the Church. Akin and his wife have four adult sons and a growing number of grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143367307X
• ISBN-13: 978-1433673078
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Thoughts, Great Resources, Challenging Sentence Structures March 15, 2013

By Peter Dubbelman

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you're looking for ten cameos on missionaries that are respected in and around SBC life, a list of extensive biographies on each person, and lives that primarily suffered great hardships, even martyrdom, this is your book. Those featured, like most pioneers who opened the way for others, suffered things that settlers never have to experience.

The book's ten chapters constitute ten "mission messages preached by Danny Akin and collected in this book" (xviii). I'm blessed for having read the book. However, that these chapters were originally sermons is witnessed by the book's frustrating sentence structure; e.g., "During the Civil War [Lottie] and her sisters Colie and Mollie nursed soldiers at Charlottesville as well as her brother Orie back home" (53).

Over the years, I have read extensive biographies on these ten people; having short cameos on hand to refresh my memory was a delightful gift. Thank-you Danny Aiken!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The book shined in spite of the clumsy transitions between biographies and devotionals. February 9, 2013

By Mike Pettengill

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Daniel L. Akin is the President of Southeastern Baptist Seminary. He possesses a M.Div. and a PhD. of Philosophy in Humanities. He is the author of five theology books and numerous articles.

The author selected 10 missionaries and wrote a chapter-long biography on each. In addition to a short missions biography each chapter contains a biblical devotional that is tied into the biography.

The format was a bit tiring and even confusing at times. The author's transition from biography to devotional was seldom seamless and often a bit tiresome. The convulsive way the author jumped between devotional and biography was distracting. Standing on their own the devotionals were good and the biographies were excellent. But trying to read this book was akin to eating a chocolate cake and steak milkshake. Mixing two good things together into one isn't always a good idea.

In spite of the format the book was enjoyable. The 10 missionary biographies were a wonderful mix of diverse missions history. The missionaries depicted in the biographies were wonderful samples of flawed men and women allowing a perfect God to use them to his glory. The sacrifice of the martyrs and the dedication in the face of adversity was inspiring. Well written and packed with faith challenging details, the biographies were wonderful.

The devotional portion of the book was theologically sound and contained wonderful analyses of Scripture. The verses chosen and the way they pointed to Christ was a pleasure to read.

The book shined in spite of the handicap of the format. It is highly recommended and an enjoyable read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Lives May 16, 2013

By Len S.

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

10 great and challenging stories. Your heart will be stirred for the glory of God after reading these accounts. Some names I knew, but others were introduced to me.