
Lords of the Earth
post written by Esther Filbrun
Title: Lords of the Earth
Author: Don Richardson
Major Themes: Missions, Missionaries
Synopsis: With determination to share Christ with as many people as possible, Stan Dale dared to get in contact with an unreached head-hunting, cannibalistic tribe in inland Irian Jaya, even though he knew it could be dangerous to do so.
I’ve enjoyed books by Don Richardson for several years now. The stories he tells have a point; besides just chronicling a portion of someone’s life, he also has an overall worldview that is intriguing. Lords of the Earth is a book I’m sure I won’t forget anytime soon.
Like Peace Child, this book starts out with a description of what the Yali culture looked like before Christianity came in. Then Stan Dale comes on the scene, a young man with a troubled past and a desire to love and serve the Lord with everything he had. After serving in the Second World War for a few years, Stan developed an army-sergeant attitude that would propel him through his missionary life with vigor. After several failed attempts at being a missionary in different locations—when colleagues had one reason or another to ask he be moved to another field—Stan finally found his spot on the map. The distant ranges of inland Irian Jaya called him, with unreached tribes who still hadn’t heard of Christ living in the harsh terrain. So, armed with faith and a fierce determination to do or die, Stan headed into Yali territory, ready to take on the challenge of bringing hope to a hopeless people.
Though Lords of the Earth is a true story, I wasn’t fully prepared for everything that happened in this book. It was a great reminder that we might not always get things the way we want them, even if they are what we would deem best for the gospel to be spread. The Lord has a much, much bigger plan than what we think. I was inspired by this story to reach out more to those around me—I don’t have head-hunting, cannibalistic neighbors after all! I was also challenged to lay down my life more for others; seeing others’ needs, and being willing to go against my selfish nature to serve them.
My favorite part of Lords of the Earth was seeing how God acted through different ones to work out His purposes in the end. Often, we go into situations expecting to do great things for God, but sometimes that’s not what He’s called us to. Seeing lives faithfully lived out—in whatever circumstances the different individuals found themselves in—was a blessing to me. I, too, would love to do great things for the Lord, but right now I believe my “great things” are being faithful in the little place where I am now. So it was encouraging to see others being faithful, and seeing their labor being rewarded in the long run. God’s work, done God’s way, will not lack His provision—and this book beautifully illustrated that. In all, this was an excellent story that encouraged me, and made me think—both things I value. Recommended for older audiences.
Age Levels:
Reading Independently—Adults
Links to buy Lords of the Earth:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio CD (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
Book Depository: Paperback
Keywords: History, Biography, Christian History, Missions, Missionaries, 20th Century, 1950-2000, Oceania, Australia
Write a comment: