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Missions Biography #1
David Brainerd: May I Never Loiter On My Heavenly Journey
In 1742 Yale College expelled David Brainerd.
A spiritual awakening had been sparked on the campus in months prior. As it began to grow and draw in more zealous students, tensions arose among the skeptical faculty such that the college trustees passed a code prohibiting students from even insinuate that any of the faculty were "hypocrites, carnal or unconverted men."
Before long it was reported that Brainerd had made some uncharitable comments of this kind and, though he was at the top of his class academically, they booted him. Add to this that in order to be an established minister in Connecticut you had to be a graduate of Yale, Harvard, or a European university. Brainerd's dreams (and obedience!) to become a pastor came crashing down. It was very difficult, as John Piper explains, "Brained felt cut off from his life calling."
This is a hard fact to swallow. Tragic, it might seem, considering that David Brainerd died at the young age of 29. But here we are looking at his life, admitting there's a good story to be told, and retold. One that's not about the expulsion, but about what God did through him in that handful of years between the expulsion and his death.
Originally delivered as a message at the 1990 Conference for Pastors, John Piper tells Brainerd's story in this short ebook, "David Brainerd: May I Never Loiter on My Heavenly Journey!"
A spiritual awakening had been sparked on the campus in months prior. As it began to grow and draw in more zealous students, tensions arose among the skeptical faculty such that the college trustees passed a code prohibiting students from even insinuate that any of the faculty were "hypocrites, carnal or unconverted men."
Before long it was reported that Brainerd had made some uncharitable comments of this kind and, though he was at the top of his class academically, they booted him. Add to this that in order to be an established minister in Connecticut you had to be a graduate of Yale, Harvard, or a European university. Brainerd's dreams (and obedience!) to become a pastor came crashing down. It was very difficult, as John Piper explains, "Brained felt cut off from his life calling."
This is a hard fact to swallow. Tragic, it might seem, considering that David Brainerd died at the young age of 29. But here we are looking at his life, admitting there's a good story to be told, and retold. One that's not about the expulsion, but about what God did through him in that handful of years between the expulsion and his death.
Originally delivered as a message at the 1990 Conference for Pastors, John Piper tells Brainerd's story in this short ebook, "David Brainerd: May I Never Loiter on My Heavenly Journey!"
34 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
609 books4,602 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 25, 2022
4.9 stars. Short little biography. I am preaching this Sunday and wanted to reference David Brainerd so I read this quickly while watching Thanksgiving football and feel much more prepared to speak about Brainerd as an example in my sermon. Good stuff
(Lost .1 stars simply because the version I read really needed a proof reading since I found a half dozen typos)
(Lost .1 stars simply because the version I read really needed a proof reading since I found a half dozen typos)
January 18, 2021
Pastor John Piper is the best who is in the field of hagiography and church history in present times, and he is very knowledgeable. This is a very short rendering of the life of David Brenerd.
January 18, 2016
This was a nice quick read. Far from an extensive biography, the aim of this book was to give you a very concise introduction to the life of David Brainerd and explain why his life has had such an impact on us.
Prior to reading this book, I had barely even heard of the name David Brainerd. I saw his name referenced in a comment about people with noteworthy prayer lives and so I picked this up as an introduction.
A few things stand out about this man's life. First was the reminder that God doesn't pick the strong to work through. David Brainerd was a weak man (physically) from a weak family. He died at the age of 29 from tuberculosis when he had (IIRC) for about a decade prior. Most everyone else in his family also died very young. Despite his near constant physical pain and sickness, he never stopped striving to do his work for God.
The second thing that stands out his how God worked through the perceived failures in his life. He wanted to be a pastor but got kicked out of university. A university degree was required in his state to become a pastor. Instead, God had other plans and opened doors to missionary work that he otherwise wouldn't have pursued. In addition, his expulsion from Yale University is directly credited as a driving force behind the founding of more than one major university - including Princeton.
The book just walks you through the highlights of his life. You read about a man struggling constantly with pain, sickness, and depression - but always looking to God and serving him. This is a man who stored up treasures in heaven.
I'm always inspired when I read about men whom God has used. This man definitely qualifies.
Prior to reading this book, I had barely even heard of the name David Brainerd. I saw his name referenced in a comment about people with noteworthy prayer lives and so I picked this up as an introduction.
A few things stand out about this man's life. First was the reminder that God doesn't pick the strong to work through. David Brainerd was a weak man (physically) from a weak family. He died at the age of 29 from tuberculosis when he had (IIRC) for about a decade prior. Most everyone else in his family also died very young. Despite his near constant physical pain and sickness, he never stopped striving to do his work for God.
The second thing that stands out his how God worked through the perceived failures in his life. He wanted to be a pastor but got kicked out of university. A university degree was required in his state to become a pastor. Instead, God had other plans and opened doors to missionary work that he otherwise wouldn't have pursued. In addition, his expulsion from Yale University is directly credited as a driving force behind the founding of more than one major university - including Princeton.
The book just walks you through the highlights of his life. You read about a man struggling constantly with pain, sickness, and depression - but always looking to God and serving him. This is a man who stored up treasures in heaven.
I'm always inspired when I read about men whom God has used. This man definitely qualifies.
October 27, 2016
God can and does use weak, sick, discouraged, beat-down, lonely, struggling saints who cry to Him day and night, to accomplish amazing things for His Glory.
Brainerd was such a saint and God used him to cause a great awakening among other saints in his days. Better still, even in the 21st century his life is still a great encouragement to us. His was a short life of 29 years but a full one. He died of Tuberculosis. During His days there were no antibiotics, Imagine that! Then, a bacterial infection was a terminal disease. Yet, even in his struggling health David Brainerd served the Lord as a missionary among the Indians in North America. " What can separate us from the love of the Lord?
John piper in this book, gives us a good summary of the story of David Brainerd drawing references from Jonathan Edwards book: The Life of The Rev. David Brainerd. A very Interesting and inspiring read.
Brainerd was such a saint and God used him to cause a great awakening among other saints in his days. Better still, even in the 21st century his life is still a great encouragement to us. His was a short life of 29 years but a full one. He died of Tuberculosis. During His days there were no antibiotics, Imagine that! Then, a bacterial infection was a terminal disease. Yet, even in his struggling health David Brainerd served the Lord as a missionary among the Indians in North America. " What can separate us from the love of the Lord?
John piper in this book, gives us a good summary of the story of David Brainerd drawing references from Jonathan Edwards book: The Life of The Rev. David Brainerd. A very Interesting and inspiring read.
July 29, 2013
This is more a sermon or lecture ABOUT David Brainerd than a true biography, but, nevertheless, John Piper has a great sense of what to highlight. Using quotes from him and from other sources, the reader feels like he knows this subject better than the star of a much longer biography. As would be expected from a preacher, Piper is good at keeping attention by drawing direct applications. Plus, Goodreads fans, you can't beat a work that will give you meaningful content AND be a quick count to keep you on pace for your reading goal. This and other works in Piper's series are available for free through the Olive Tree app.
April 6, 2023
A precious little biography of the father of modern mission. It is worth reading and rereading Brainerd's diary in full- especially for anyone involved in missions.
Here is a man who died at 29, was ill most of his life with vicious tuberculosis, was expelled from Yale for questioning a Chancellor's evangelical zeal, was lonely and prone to depression- and yet has inspired missionaries from Livingstone to Elliot throughout the centuries.
Some quotes from his diary that are particularly moving and convicting:
'[I] could have no freedom in the thought of any other circumstances or business in life: All my desire was the conversion of the heathen, and all my hope was in God: God does not suffer me to please or comfort myself with hopes of seeing friends, returning to my dear acquaintance, and enjoying worldly comforts'
'When I really enjoy God, I feel my desires of him the more insatiable, and my thirstings after holiness the more unquenchable;… Oh, for holiness! Oh, for more of God in my soul! Oh, this pleasing pain! It makes my soul press after God… Oh, that I might not loiter on my heavenly journey'
'I continued wrestling with God in prayer for my dear little flock here; and more especially for the Indians elsewhere; as well as for dear friends in one place and another; till it was bed time and I feared I should hinder the family, etc. But oh, with what reluctancy did I find myself obliged to consume time in sleep.'
Oh how I long for his love for the glory of God, his steadfast prayerfulness, his yearning after the lost and his dedication to redeeming the time.
Here is a man who died at 29, was ill most of his life with vicious tuberculosis, was expelled from Yale for questioning a Chancellor's evangelical zeal, was lonely and prone to depression- and yet has inspired missionaries from Livingstone to Elliot throughout the centuries.
Some quotes from his diary that are particularly moving and convicting:
'[I] could have no freedom in the thought of any other circumstances or business in life: All my desire was the conversion of the heathen, and all my hope was in God: God does not suffer me to please or comfort myself with hopes of seeing friends, returning to my dear acquaintance, and enjoying worldly comforts'
'When I really enjoy God, I feel my desires of him the more insatiable, and my thirstings after holiness the more unquenchable;… Oh, for holiness! Oh, for more of God in my soul! Oh, this pleasing pain! It makes my soul press after God… Oh, that I might not loiter on my heavenly journey'
'I continued wrestling with God in prayer for my dear little flock here; and more especially for the Indians elsewhere; as well as for dear friends in one place and another; till it was bed time and I feared I should hinder the family, etc. But oh, with what reluctancy did I find myself obliged to consume time in sleep.'
Oh how I long for his love for the glory of God, his steadfast prayerfulness, his yearning after the lost and his dedication to redeeming the time.
October 7, 2025
A really good short read while I probably should be getting ready for my test I have later. But here is a quote that stood out to me: “Brainerd’s life is a vivid, powerful testimony to the truth that God can and does use weak, sick, discouraged, beat-down, lonely, struggling saints, who cry to him day and night, to accomplish amazing things for his glory.”
Brainerd is really inspiring to me to read about and see how despite all of his struggles with loneliness, sickness, disease, depression, love and bleakness; we are able to see his devout love for Christ. Like Piper says at the end of the book the greatest effect from Brainerd’s ministry is that there are Native Americans that now will enjoy God’s presence forever. Piper wraps it up nicely at the end two by stating: “Who can describe the value of one soul transferred from the kingdom of darkness, and from the weeping and gnashing of teeth, to the kingdom of God’s dear Son! If we live 29 years or if we live 99 years, would not any hardships be worth the saving of one person from the eternal torments of hell for the everlasting enjoyment of the glory of God?” .
Highly recommend the read and you can get the free e book at https://www.desiringgod.org/books/dav...
Brainerd is really inspiring to me to read about and see how despite all of his struggles with loneliness, sickness, disease, depression, love and bleakness; we are able to see his devout love for Christ. Like Piper says at the end of the book the greatest effect from Brainerd’s ministry is that there are Native Americans that now will enjoy God’s presence forever. Piper wraps it up nicely at the end two by stating: “Who can describe the value of one soul transferred from the kingdom of darkness, and from the weeping and gnashing of teeth, to the kingdom of God’s dear Son! If we live 29 years or if we live 99 years, would not any hardships be worth the saving of one person from the eternal torments of hell for the everlasting enjoyment of the glory of God?” .
Highly recommend the read and you can get the free e book at https://www.desiringgod.org/books/dav...
September 7, 2018
This short introductory biography to the life of David Brainerd is a great and awe-inspiring resource to encourage a personal cultivation of prayer and endurance unto God through hardships. This gives a taste of how God mightily used a weak, bodily fragile and sick man to do great things for the Kingdom!!
January 22, 2018
I see a lot in common between my story and Brainerd’s, this was very inspiring and soul stirring! That I would love souls, prayer, fasting & holiness as he did! Great short read on his life and influence on others!
September 1, 2018
An interesting short biography on a very sick man who continued to work for God until he couldn’t any longer.
December 31, 2020
A good quick read and an introduction to the life of David Brainerd and why he has had such an extensive impact.
January 28, 2021
This short biography will increase your understanding of Christian suffering and missions.
February 12, 2024
Short but inspiring. Got to admire the perseverance and dedication.
July 17, 2012
Very short but powerful biography of David Brainerd's life (it only takes 15 or 20 minutes to read). It was very encouraging to see how God has used Brainerd (during his lifetime and afterwards) to bless and inspire his people. Brainerd had so many struggles both physically and mentally, but God used him to do amazing things.
September 3, 2012
Great, quick read. Brainerd's short life had great impact! His perseverance through great physical illness and dark depression and life's hardships is an example that empowers me. This lecture style short book is a free PDF from Desiring God
September 13, 2012
I can't stop thinking about life of David Brainard after reading the book. It is of huge encouragement for me to see the grace of God he was experiencing in his circumstances, his complete devotion to the Allmighty no matter what is happening inside or outside and God's providence in everything.
June 26, 2013
This is a wonderful introduction to David Brainerd. Surely not a life of candy coated Christianity, but of holiness and God-ward thinking. The book and journal entries made we want to read Jonathan Edwards on Brainerd to learn more.
September 20, 2012
Amazing story and life of how God uses the weak, sick and discouraged to accomplish his work.
July 8, 2013
I will have to read more book about this David Brainerd and to learn more about him.
September 24, 2014
Very inspiring devotion on the life of David Brainerd. Amazing the impact he has had on generations. Highly recommended.
November 4, 2014
An excellent - very short - intro to David Brainerd and why he matters. Highly recommended. Comes with a list of resources to consult.
January 9, 2018
My only criticism of this book is that it was too short. Has definitely inspired me to read Life of Brainerd.
April 11, 2015
Needed more depth into Brainerd's life and how it affected him. It seemed like an essay instead of a book. It does make me want to learn more about Brainerd's life though.
May 21, 2015
Enjoyed Piper's commentary on this faithful saint.
February 23, 2016
The talk is better
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews