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In late June our family planned a nine-hour road trip to Gatlinburg, TN. We prepared for the long drive by packing the van with snacks, books, a couple kid-friendly DVDs, and a new audiobook. In the case of the latter, I selected The Final Race (Eric Eichinger with Eva Maria Everson) a biography of Eric Liddell—the Olympic gold medalist portrayed in the 1981 British historical drama Chariots of Fire.
The book opens in 1909 at Blackheath boarding school, which Eric and his brother Rob, have been attending for a year. It’s September and Eric’s mother has come to inform the boys that their parents and younger siblings will be departing for China to resume their missionary duties. The first section focuses on how the boys cope with the long separation from their parents, grow in academic and athletic prowess, and culminates with Eric competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Prior to beginning the book, we had not heard of Eric Liddell. Curiosity getting the best of us, we’ve since viewed Chariots of Fire. This first third of the audiobook mirrors, the events portrayed on film, yet the one thing the film failed to capture was Eric’s humility and avoidance of the media. His personal conviction coupled with his missional family heritage, allowed Eric to deflect fame and pursue God’s calling to ministry wholeheartedly.
In the second section of the book, Eric departs for Tientsin to teach at an all-boys school. It’s here where he is reunited with his family and meets his future wife Florence Mackenzie. During this time, readers gain a feel for the political, social, and economic climate in China. We also gained a more complete view of Eric’s loyal service to the London Missionary Society (LMS); his evolving theology, as well as his patient courtship and subsequent marriage to Florence. Due to the pacing and expansive scope of this portion of the audiobook (and in light of the listening age of our audience), we decided to spread our listening out over the month of July.
The final portion of the book was the most fascinating to me. When Florence and the children depart occupied China (1941), Eric stays behind to do the Lord’s work. Then in 1943, foreign nationals are rounded up and taken to internment camps. The way Eric spends his days up until his death in 1945 should be an inspiration to all believers. In spite of his circumstance—batteling infestation, starvation, and the elements—Eric continually gives of himself for the benefit and comfort of others.
It’s difficult to comment on Liddell’s theology because it was never really made clear. The authors do mention how Eric’s devotional book, The Disciplines of the Christian Life, was influenced by Scottish Congregationalist principles, his missionary experiences, The Oxford Group, and other theological books. He took a “unique spiritual path” that left him on a “figurative island, theologically distinct and somewhat separate from his Congregationalist brothers.” Besides these fragments and a denouncement of the doctrine of election earlier in the book, I can’t say with confidence what all he believed.
When the audiobook concluded, I asked my children, “What did you learn about Eric Liddell?” Their response was simple… “He was humble.” As for me, I questioned at times whether the authors downplayed the man’s faults. However, they never left me questioning Eric’s Christian character or love for others. These are the main points I would have my children take-away from our listening time.
Christian Shelf-Esteem received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255 Guidelines, concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.
The book opens in 1909 at Blackheath boarding school, which Eric and his brother Rob, have been attending for a year. It’s September and Eric’s mother has come to inform the boys that their parents and younger siblings will be departing for China to resume their missionary duties. The first section focuses on how the boys cope with the long separation from their parents, grow in academic and athletic prowess, and culminates with Eric competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Prior to beginning the book, we had not heard of Eric Liddell. Curiosity getting the best of us, we’ve since viewed Chariots of Fire. This first third of the audiobook mirrors, the events portrayed on film, yet the one thing the film failed to capture was Eric’s humility and avoidance of the media. His personal conviction coupled with his missional family heritage, allowed Eric to deflect fame and pursue God’s calling to ministry wholeheartedly.
In the second section of the book, Eric departs for Tientsin to teach at an all-boys school. It’s here where he is reunited with his family and meets his future wife Florence Mackenzie. During this time, readers gain a feel for the political, social, and economic climate in China. We also gained a more complete view of Eric’s loyal service to the London Missionary Society (LMS); his evolving theology, as well as his patient courtship and subsequent marriage to Florence. Due to the pacing and expansive scope of this portion of the audiobook (and in light of the listening age of our audience), we decided to spread our listening out over the month of July.
The final portion of the book was the most fascinating to me. When Florence and the children depart occupied China (1941), Eric stays behind to do the Lord’s work. Then in 1943, foreign nationals are rounded up and taken to internment camps. The way Eric spends his days up until his death in 1945 should be an inspiration to all believers. In spite of his circumstance—batteling infestation, starvation, and the elements—Eric continually gives of himself for the benefit and comfort of others.
It’s difficult to comment on Liddell’s theology because it was never really made clear. The authors do mention how Eric’s devotional book, The Disciplines of the Christian Life, was influenced by Scottish Congregationalist principles, his missionary experiences, The Oxford Group, and other theological books. He took a “unique spiritual path” that left him on a “figurative island, theologically distinct and somewhat separate from his Congregationalist brothers.” Besides these fragments and a denouncement of the doctrine of election earlier in the book, I can’t say with confidence what all he believed.
When the audiobook concluded, I asked my children, “What did you learn about Eric Liddell?” Their response was simple… “He was humble.” As for me, I questioned at times whether the authors downplayed the man’s faults. However, they never left me questioning Eric’s Christian character or love for others. These are the main points I would have my children take-away from our listening time.
Christian Shelf-Esteem received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255 Guidelines, concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.