John Gibson Paton (24 May 1824 - 28 January 1907), born in Scotland, was a Protestant missionary to the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific. Paton undertook a tremendous work which would yield little fruit for decades, convinced of the absolute sovereignty of God to build His church. Constantly under threat of death, Paton preached faithfully to the islands of the New Hebrides, raising a family there. As well as his missionary journeys, Paton raised great support for world missions at home in Scotland and inspired hundreds of missionaries to also take up the Great Commission and make disciples of all nations.
Attached is a biographical sermon on John G Paton by John Piper. Each year, at the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors, John Piper examines the life of a notable Christian figure from history. Please listen to the attached sermon, as it examines the life of one of the most courageous missionaries the world has ever seen. The pains Paton endured for the cause of Christ are beyond words. The endurance he displayed at the face of perils he faced is worth studying. Just four months after their arrival at the islands, both his wife and his newborn son died of a fever. He then served alone on the island for the next four years under incredible circumstances of constant danger until he was driven off from one of these islands in February, 1862. The natives were cannibals and occasionally ate the flesh of their defeated foes.
What kept him going in spite of these hostile conditions and excruciating pain at the loss of his dear ones?
Paton once wrote, "I am more proud that the blood of Martyrs is in my veins, and their truths in my heart, than other men can be of noble pedigree or royal names" .
The truths he has in mind are the robust doctrines of Calvinism. He said in his Autobiography, "I am by conviction a strong Calvinist" (p. 195). For him this meant, a strong confidence that God can and will change the hearts of the most unlikely people. His Reformed doctrine of regeneration was crucial here in maintaining his courage in the face of humanly impossible odds. Commenting on the conversion of one native, he said, "Regeneration is the sole work of the Holy Spirit in the human heart and soul, and is in every case one and the same. "Oh, Jesus! To Thee alone be all the glory. Thou hast the key to unlock every heart that Thou has created" (p. 373). He thus believed in preaching the gospel trusting that the Holy Spirit will work through the proclaimed word to work in the hearts of the most unlikely people.
In other words, Calvinism, contrary to all misrepresentation, was not a hindrance to missions but the hope of missions for John Paton and hundreds of other missionaries like him. So it's not surprising that one of the source of courage for Paton was his confidence in the sovereignty of God.
The truths he has in mind are the robust doctrines of Calvinism. He said in his Autobiography, "I am by conviction a strong Calvinist" (p. 195). For him this meant, a strong confidence that God can and will change the hearts of the most unlikely people. His Reformed doctrine of regeneration was crucial here in maintaining his courage in the face of humanly impossible odds. Commenting on the conversion of one native, he said, "Regeneration is the sole work of the Holy Spirit in the human heart and soul, and is in every case one and the same. "Oh, Jesus! To Thee alone be all the glory. Thou hast the key to unlock every heart that Thou has created" (p. 373). He thus believed in preaching the gospel trusting that the Holy Spirit will work through the proclaimed word to work in the hearts of the most unlikely people.
In other words, Calvinism, contrary to all misrepresentation, was not a hindrance to missions but the hope of missions for John Paton and hundreds of other missionaries like him. So it's not surprising that one of the source of courage for Paton was his confidence in the sovereignty of God.
John Piper's biograpahical sermon is titled "'You Will Be Eaten By Cannibals!' Lessons from the Life of John G. Paton: Courage in the Cause of World Missions." So that is the focus of what he wants to say. He conceives the rest of this message in three parts:
1) What kinds of circumstances called for courage in Paton's life?
2) What did his courage achieve?
3) Where did his courage come from?
Our aim in posting this is twofold.
First of all, we want young people to hear and learn from the lives of previous generations. Biographies are so good in teaching us how men lived and honored our God. As it is written in Hebrews, we are to "consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith"(13:7). We hope the pain and suffering which men like Paton endured for Christ, will show us the worthiness and preciousness of the gospel. Yes it is worth going to an island of cannibals and die there preaching the gospel. It is more worthy than earning a good job and building the "American dream" of settling down, having lots of bank balance, thus enjoying the pleasures of this life. O how many of our young people - whether they are in America or not - are captives to this "American dream"?? How much of the sweet eternal pleasures of God are they missing??
Second, we hope Pastors will see how a radical belief in the absolute sovereignty of God over all things and including the salvation of sinners, is a fuel for missions and not something which kills evangelism or missions. The whole modern missionary movement was lead by men for whom the Reformed doctrines were central and nourishing to their preaching and missionary efforts.
May the Lord kindle our hearts through this message for Christ, who is worthy of our life and even our death and produce missionaries who will like John G. Paton live difficult lives yet delighting in an all sovereign God.
You Will Be Eaten by Cannibals! Lessons from the Life of John G. Paton
Courage in the Cause of Missions
2000 Bethlehem Conference for Pastors
Listen | Read | Download
You Will Be Eaten by Cannibals! Lessons from the Life of John G. Paton
Courage in the Cause of Missions
2000 Bethlehem Conference for Pastors
Listen | Read | Download
