Heroes of the Faith - Eric Liddell, by Ellen Caughey

The story of Eric Liddell is well known, especially since the wonderful 1981 film, Chariots of Fire, which focuses on the events surrounding his triumph in the 1924 Olympic Games, held in Paris. However, in this little book, which is part of the Heroes of the Faith series, only one chapter is devoted to this episode in his life. The other fourteen chapters retell the rest of his life, both before and after those exciting days which made him famous.

I was familiar with some of the story, but didn’t know the details of his life in China. Eric Henry Liddell was born to Scottish missionary parents, in Tiensin, China, in 1902 and died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, in Weihsien, China, in 1945. Of his 43 years on this earth, he spent 27 of them in China, the remainder, at school, university and missionary college, in Britain. His death, from what was thought to be a brain tumor, was tragic, especially for his young family, who were sent to Canada, when his third child was expected, in 1941, just before the attack on Pearl Harbour and subsequent invasion of China. He only saw this youngest daughter in photographs and his wife knew about his death only two months after the event.

His was a life lived with great purpose: his passion to return to China had dominated his thoughts and been his motivation throughout all the athletic training and meets. Even when he won Scotland’s first Olympic Gold Medal in the 400m race he did not seek or accept personal glory and accolade, but used his prominence to preach the Gospel to thousands of men and boys, urging them onto a higher goal. He left the fame of England for the obscurity of China in 1925, to fulfill his life’s calling to teach and train a generation of boys, who would impact their nation for God. He died persuing that dream, determined to stay with the other missionaries who had given their all trying to transform a nation.

Although Eric is largely known for swapping his track shoes for hiking boots, he continued to both race and train other runners in China. His physical fitness was one of his hallmarks, enabling him to cycle great distances, encouraging local pastors.

Told largely chronologically, but starting with a race meeting in 1923, I liked the way the author included several extracts from letters and journals written by Eric, which provided more insight into him as a person. I found the background history of China, especially as it concerned the Liddell family, most helpful for setting it in the context of the great missionary thrust of the last century and then, of the Japanese invasion of China. The story is told sensitively and with great detail, building a picture of each family member, his wife and several friends who were significant throughout his life and who were greatly impacted through his friendship and example.

Smaller than A5 in size, this tiny book was useful for taking about, to read in spare moments.

A great quick read and highly recommended.