John Eliot (1604-1690): Missionary to the American Indians
This article examines John Eliot's pioneering missionary work among Native Americans in the seventeenth century, highlighting the spiritual and practical challenges of cross-cultural evangelism. Brummel emphasizes how Eliot's faith in God's sovereignty, delegation skills, and optimism sustained him through the difficulties and ultimate failures of Indian missions, while also addressing the tragic reality of racial prejudice among colonial Christians that hindered the gospel's effectiveness.
The work of missions is difficult. There is opposition, hardship, disappointment, and tremendous sacrifices that are required of the missionaries and their families. Then there are times when before their own eyes they see everything for which they labored slip away. John Eliot was a pioneer missionary to the American Indians. He learned firsthand the struggles of mission work. Three things served to strengthen and encourage him. First, his unbending optimism regarding God's counsel and plan....
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