Brainerd, Edwards, Piper, Revivalism & Enthusiasms

David Brainerd. 20 Apr 1718- 9 Oct 1747.

Born the 6th of 10 children. His father, a CT legislator and farmer, died when Brainherd was 9; a few years later, his mother died when he was 13. He remained on the family homestead under his brother’s oversight. Later, he wanted to become a minister like one of the other brother siblings. He prepared for Yale by studying under Mr. (rev.) Fiske.

He still was “not” a church member by the age 19. Why? The Congregationalists required a “salvation experience” and a “statement of the assurance of salvation.” A Baptistic and Pentecostalist view? Proto-revivalism.

He also allegedly disliked original sin, the sovereignty of God, the strictness of law, and that he could not contribute to his salvation. He entered Yale, but was evicted for stating that a Professor had “as much grace as a chair.” Brainerd’s name will come to be associated with “New Lights,” a school within American Congregationalism-Presbyterianism.

Ultimately, he became a missionary to Indians in MA, PA, and NJ. At this point, more research is needed, but not inclined to do it, however.

Jonathan Edwards wrote “An Account of the Life of the Late Reverend Mr. David Brainerd” as well as editing Mr. Brainerd’s diary.

On 12 July 1739, Brainerd wrote this in his diary:

“When I was again walking in the same solitary place…unspeakable glory seemed to open to the view and apprehension of my soul. I do not mean any external brightness, for I saw no such thing…It was a new inward apprehension or view that I had of God, such as I never had before; nor anything which had the least resemblance of it…I felt myself in a new world…At this time the way of salvation opened to me with such infinite wisdom, suitableness, and excellency, amazed that I had not dropped my own contrivances, and complied with this lovely, blessed and excellent way that I had formerly contrived, my whole soul would now have refused it. I wondered that all the world did not see and comply with this way of salvation, entirely by the righteousness of Christ.”

To my mind, this is unanchored and misguided enthusiasm and mysticism.

Edwards wrote at the top of the page for the diary entry: “Lord’s Day, July 12th 1739 forever to be remembered by D.B.” Brainerd died in Edwards’s home in 1747. Age 29.

I took a graduate course on Jonathan Edwards years back, read his works and some of descendant-ministers but never could quite come to terms with him or his theology. Some American "evangelicals" seemed to like him. Or, to my mind, the “Great Awakenings” never seemed as “great” as some asserted. But, 100s have been favourably influenced by Brainerd.

The above quote, however, summarizes the rather “enthusiastic,” “mystical,” “experientialistic,” and “revivalistic” themes. It may be why Mr. (rev.) John Piper and other Particular Baptists have inclined to Edwards and Brainerd. It would seem to coordinate with American "contemporary music" of me and Jesus.  Brainerd and

Edwards, albeit an earlier version and restrained by "something" from Calvinism, Prayer Books, Psalms and Confessions, may well be or have laid the groundwork as proto-charismatics.  Experience!  Inner lights!  Inner visions!

Is there a theological culture clash between an old Calvinist Prayer Book Churchman and Congregationalistic Brainerdism/Edwardseanism? Liturgically, there was. There is on my end, definitively. Not sure how others view these things.

The question is more difficult than presumed. There are sub-textual issues. Of course, research and further readings are in order. And may moderation prevail rather than a parochial hubris that tosses the "baby out with the wash." Having said that, Brainerd and Edwards ain't this scribe's cup of tea. To my mind, Brainherd and Edwards seemed to be "Confessional Calvinism run amok."

The value of church history?  History in general?

It cures the parochialism and hubris, enabling one to transcend his or her limits. Don't be misled here: Anglicanism (some Carolina divines? Wesleyanism, Tractarians, etc.), Presbyterianism ("New Lights"), Lutherans (pietism), Romanism (a whole train of them), etc., have all had their share of "experientialists." "revivalists," "enthusiasts" and "pietists."


A retour of Chas. Hodge may be in order...on the subject of "mysticism."

Charles Chauncey, 1743, a Congregationalist cleric, eviscerated the Edwardsean movement as well as the Anglican revivalist George Whitefield. It's a must-read. Here it is online:

http://books.google.com/books?id=N84CAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=charles+chauncey+state+of+religion&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PmfgUdriKoKxywHZ1YDwDQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=charles%20chauncey%20state%20of%20religion&f=false   

Here endeth the unresolved musings.  Rather than navel-gazing, we'll look fixedly and confidently to the Risen, Ascended and Sovereign Redeemer, but that's another story for another time.