David Brainerd

[Ryan&Amber2013]

Good day! Have any of you ever read the diary of David Brainerd? If you haven't, it is surely worth reading. He was so focused on God's glory, even through his sufferings and difficulties. He is such an inspiration of what it looks like to live for God. His passion for God is so contagious.

 

[Polanus1561]

I personally find his lack of assurance of salvation troubling. But of course I don’t have the full picture

 

[Ryan&Amber2013]

I personally find his lack of assurance of salvation troubling. But of course I don’t have the full picture

That's interesting. Do mean his regular laments of not doing more for the Lord?

 

[Ed Walsh]

Good day! Have any of you ever read the diary of David Brainerd? If you haven't, it is surely worth reading. He was so focused on God's glory, even through his sufferings and difficulties. He is such an inspiration of what it looks like to live for God. His passion for God is so contagious.

Sure did. It was quite an experience. I could listen and hear about it then, but now that I am old, I have experienced it and know that he loved God to the death. If I remember he was 29 years old when he died after several years in the mission field. I live about 10 mi from Brainerd's, where his home was, and have been there many times. My wife and I almost bought a house right near where he lived.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

David Brainerd had a genuine mental health condition (probably severe depression). This makes his loving service for the Lord all the more remarkable.

To get a fuller picture of Brainerd's spiritual life, get the Banner of Truth edition of Brainerd's Diary and Journal. It includes Jonathan Edward's reflections on Brainerd's spirituality. Edwards biographer Iain Murray argues that 'these reflections are some of the most important descriptive pages on the Christian life that Edwards ever wrote'.

 

[alexandermsmith]

Read it recently. Remarkable man and a wonderful read. If you want to understand what is meant by "I am sick of love" (Song of Solomon 2:5) read David Brainerd's diary.

 

[jwithnell]

I don't recall if it is mentioned in the editions of his diary, but he died in the home of Jonathan Edwards under the tender care of Jerusha Edwards who perished a short time later after contracting his tuberculosis. What a lovely example of self-sacrificing love!

 

[Ryan&Amber2013]

I don't recall if it is mentioned in the editions of his diary, but he died in the home of Jonathan Edwards under the tender care of Jerusha Edwards who perished a short time later after contracting his tuberculosis. What a lovely example of self-sacrificing love!

Yes, you are right! The end of the diary is so suspenseful.

 

[Miss Marple]

That's interesting. Do mean his regular laments of not doing more for the Lord?

My thought was he suffered from scrupulousity. This is not a criticism of the dear man. I am not sure, and anyway, who is to criticize a sensitive conscience?

 

[Miss Marple]

I don't recall if it is mentioned in the editions of his diary, but he died in the home of Jonathan Edwards under the tender care of Jerusha Edwards who perished a short time later after contracting his tuberculosis. What a lovely example of self-sacrificing love!

This is indeed written about n

 

[Ryan&Amber2013]

My thought was he suffered from scrupulousity. This is not a criticism of the dear man. I am not sure, and anyway, who is to criticize a sensitive conscience?

I had to Google that one. You may be right.

 

[alexandermsmith]

It does appear that he had a somewhat depressive personality. But he himself recognised this and in the later portions of his diary he is able to distinguish between this bent of his and the work of the Spirit convicting him of sin. "Scrupulosity" sounds like a made-up, modern term, created by a society which has all but lost any sense of sin; a society that prefers to pathologise human experience and treat it by doping us up. Brainerd's experience was exceptional to be sure but it flowed from the work of the Spirit in his soul, not mental illness.

 

[Solparvus]

I read Brainerd's diary about twelve years ago. I'd be happy to go back and digest portions of it. I still remember feeling convicted when Brained wrote of his realization that he was depending on his own righteousness.

It does appear that he had a somewhat depressive personality. But he himself recognised this and in the later portions of his diary he is able to distinguish between this bent of his and the work of the Spirit convicting him of sin. "Scrupulosity" sounds like a made-up, modern term, created by a society which has all but lost any sense of sin; a society that prefers to pathologise human experience and treat it by doping us up. Brainerd's experience was exceptional to be sure but it flowed from the work of the Spirit in his soul, not mental illness.

It's a Puritan-era term, if not older, used by even the Puritans and Anglicans, which I would guess is how the term is meant in this thread. Even when Puritans didn't use the word itself, they understood the malady: People become seriously troubled in conscience about things that matter very little or not at all, and it's very hard to cure. See here for some sample quotes.

Granted, this is a modern source, and they probably want to make it a branch of OCD, but it quotes Richard Baxter and Jeremy Taylor who both make use of the word.

 

[alexandermsmith]

I read Brainerd's diary about twelve years ago. I'd be happy to go back and digest portions of it. I still remember feeling convicted when Brained wrote of his realization that he was depending on his own righteousness.



It's a Puritan-era term, if not older, used by even the Puritans and Anglicans, which I would guess is how the term is meant in this thread. Even when Puritans didn't use the word itself, they understood the malady: People become seriously troubled in conscience about things that matter very little or not at all, and it's very hard to cure. See here for some sample quotes.

Granted, this is a modern source, and they probably want to make it a branch of OCD, but it quotes Richard Baxter and Jeremy Taylor who both make use of the word.

From the first result on google:

"Scrupulosity is a psychological disorder primarily characterized by pathological guilt or obsession associated with moral or religious issues that is often accompanied by compulsive moral or religious observance and is highly distressing and maladaptive."

From the wikipedia entry, "History":

"Scrupulosity is a modern-day psychological problem that echoes a traditional use of the term scruples in a religious context, e.g. by [Roman] Catholics, to mean obsessive concern with one's own sins and compulsive performance of religious devotion."

 

[Solparvus]

From the first result on google:

"Scrupulosity is a psychological disorder primarily characterized by pathological guilt or obsession associated with moral or religious issues that is often accompanied by compulsive moral or religious observance and is highly distressing and maladaptive."

From the wikipedia entry, "History":

"Scrupulosity is a modern-day psychological problem that echoes a traditional use of the term scruples in a religious context, e.g. by [Roman] Catholics, to mean obsessive concern with one's own sins and compulsive performance of religious devotion."

I'm not sure how this deals with what I said.

 

[alexanderjames]

It's a Puritan-era term, if not older, used by even the Puritans and Anglicans, which I would guess is how the term is meant in this thread. Even when Puritans didn't use the word itself, they understood the malady: People become seriously troubled in conscience about things that matter very little or not at all, and it's very hard to cure. See here for some sample quotes.

Granted, this is a modern source, and they probably want to make it a branch of OCD, but it quotes Richard Baxter and Jeremy Taylor who both make use of the word.

I realise you're not calling religious scrupulosity equivalent to OCD. But it has me thinking, I don't think a puritanical scrupulosity is like modern "OCD" at all, though the former in some extreme forms could be mistaken for the latter. OCD seems to be like mental mind games, but based on individual irrational preference, whereas scrupulosity in religion is about the law of God. There is certainly great danger in an overly scrupulous religion which is not grounded in a good understanding of the word of God.

 

[Solparvus]

I realise you're not calling religious scrupulosity equivalent to OCD. But it has me thinking, I don't think a puritanical scrupulosity is like modern "OCD" at all, though the former in some extreme forms could be mistaken for the latter. OCD seems to be like mental mind games, but based on individual irrational preference, whereas scrupulosity in religion is about the law of God. There is certainly great danger in an overly scrupulous religion which is not grounded in a good understanding of the word of God.

I fully agree. The Puritans and modern psychologists mean very different things, even if there's some overlap.

Richard Baxter et al by "scrupulous" are thinking of cases that range from needless fears about assurance (possibly Brainerd as ref'd in this thread) to losing 30 lbs because they're terrified to eat. There may be a physical element, but there's certainly a spiritual element, and the cure is often more matured understanding of the Word.

Modern psychologists just assume it is all physical, and religion itself is a contributing problem.

 

[alexanderjames]

Richard Baxter et al by "scrupulous" are thinking of cases that range from needless fears about assurance (possibly Brainerd as ref'd in this thread) to losing 30 lbs because they're terrified to eat. There may be a physical element, but there's certainly a spiritual element, and the cure is often more matured understanding of the Word.

Do you remember any more specifics about David Brainerd when it comes to this?

From what I remember, he lamented not feeling closer to God for a long long time before his assurance and joy in the Lord flourished only right towards the end of his life.

 

[Solparvus]

Do you remember any more specifics about David Brainerd when it comes to this?

From what I remember, he lamented not feeling closer to God for a long long time before his assurance and joy in the Lord flourished in his later years.

It's been too long since I read it to know. I do remember Brainerd spent a lot of time lamenting what he didn't have, though not rejoicing much for what he did have.

There was a general problem in New England with their doctrine of salvation and assurance that made assurance much harder to achieve than it needed to be. Even Edwards was discouraged from assurance for this reason. I wouldn't be surprised if this played in to Brainerd's Christian experience. He was influenced in his pre-conversion days by Stoddard's "A Guide to Christ." Might be good to check out that book to see what it says on salvation, faith, and assurance.

 

[Ryan&Amber2013]

So Brainerd prior to conversion was very much works-based. His conversion is well documented and it's all of grace according to his own account. Like a wonderful Gospel experience.

After his conversion he really seemed to often wrestle with being melancholy, as well as experiencing great joys, being very much up and down when it comes to his spiritual life. It was like there was a constant spiritual war going on inside of him.

But what stands out to me and is very credible, is that Jonathan Edwards considered his spiritual life one that was amazing and true. I think if Brainerd had a real spiritual issue or mental issue, Edwards probably would have picked up on that.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

But what stands out to me and is very credible, is that Jonathan Edwards considered his spiritual life one that was amazing and true. I think if Brainerd had a real spiritual issue or mental issue, Edwards probably would have picked up on that.

I agree. I think Edwards interpretation of Brainerd's spiritual life is very insightful.

 

[LeeD]

My fellow elder has just had his book covering the ministry of both David and John Brainerd and is worth a read....

The Indomitable Brainerds: The Gospel Legacy of David and John Brainerd’s Mission to the Indians (Tomlinson, Mack M.)

Puritan and Reformed books at discounted prices.

heritagebooks.org