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52 pages 1 hour read

Elisabeth Elliot

Through Gates of Splendor

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1957

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Essay Topics

1.

Explore the ethical dimensions of missionary activities in Through Gates of Splendor, particularly in the context of colonialism. How did the missionaries grapple with the potential imposition of their beliefs on the Huaorani people, and what implications does this have for understanding the broader historical and cultural impact of missionary work?

2.

Through Gates of Splendor presented you with the stories of five missionaries and shared some of their writings with you. Which of the five men’s stories did you find most compelling, and why?

3.

Consult several sources on the history of Christian missions and read their assessments of the 1956 mission to the Huaorani. Are their treatments of the events critical, laudatory, or a balance of both? Explain.

4.

Imagine that you are a missionary colleague working in eastern Ecuador in the 1950s. What advice would you give to the “Operation Auca” team for the wisest way to approach the Huaorani?

5.

Read one of Elisabeth Elliot’s other works that tie in with the characters and events of Through Gates of Splendor—either Shadow of the Almighty (1958), The Savage My Kinsman (1961), or The Journals of Jim Elliot (1978). What additional insights does your chosen book offer on the events of “Operation Auca”?

6.

Reflect on the impact of Through Gates of Splendor on contemporary discussions surrounding missionary work and colonial legacies. How does the book contribute to or challenge prevailing perspectives on the ethics of evangelism and cultural engagement?

7.

Research the impact that the story of Through Gates of Splendor had on the evangelical missionary movement and describe some of its effects.

8.

Research sources that refer to the life and condition of the Huaorani people today. Has their subsequent contact with the outside world been positive or negative, and how do they view the events described in Through Gates of Splendor?

9.

Watch the 2005 film End of the Spear, featuring Steve Saint’s story (the son of Nate Saint). How does its view of the will of God compare to the view held by the missionaries in Through Gates of Splendor?

10.

Read Unfolding Destinies (1980), another book that looks back at the events of 1956 and written by one of the widows (Olive Fleming Liefeld). How does it compare to Elisabeth Elliot’s account of the events?

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