Sweetly Set on God: The Piety of David Brainerd

Profiles in Reformed Spirituality

by Dustin W. Benge

Best remembered for his missionary work among the American Indians, David Brainerd (17181747) was a central character in eighteenth-century American evangelism. "Sweetly Set on God" introduces readers to the life and journal writings of this pioneer of modern missionary work. Dustin Benge begins by presenting the events of Brainerd's short life and the intense personal spiritual piety that undergirded his ministry. Then, in fifty-one excerpts drawn from Brainerd's journal, readers will discover his evangelical humiliation, his understanding that God had altered his sinful human nature, his sensitivity to sin, and his holiness of life. Read this book and see if you come to view Brainerd as Jonathan Edwards, his biographer, did: as "a remarkable instance of true and eminent Christian piety in heart and practice."

Genres: Biography

136 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2016

About the author

Dustin Benge (Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Historical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He also serves as co-director and senior fellow of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. Follow Dustin on Twitter: @DustinBenge. Dustin and his wife, Molli, live in Louisville.

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. Guess it isn’t the author’s fault, because he adequately represented Brainerd. The issue is…why do we include Brainerd in a “Profiles in Reformed Spirituality”? The emotional back and forth was enough to give you whiplash. Yes, he was a missionary to the Indians. Yes, he kept working despite his constant emotional upheaval. But SHOULD he have? If this is a representation of the faith he was preaching and evangelizing with…what was he saving people to? And of course, having thoughts like THAT makes one feel uncharitable and judgmental, but then I come across this jewel in John Owen’s posthumously printed sermon, The Strength of Faith: “So to believe as to free our hearts from trouble and disquietment, upon any account whatever, is to trust properly; and that doubting, and staggering, and fear, which in Scripture we find condemned as opposite to faith, are indeed directly opposite to this fiduciary reposing our souls on Christ…So to believe is to be persuaded that God is able to keep what we commit to him, is to put our trust in him.” This book seems to be a pile of evidence that Brainerd didn’t trust.

[Yibbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, according to this book piety is exhibited primarily by constant weeping and anguish over sin. But then, I don't know much about Brainerd. Maybe he was so morbidly introspective. Where is the joy of our salvation? Where is the hope of glory?
It was very choppy. Of course, it extracts, but I expected a little more coherent outline for them. I still don't know really what was going on around each one. Maybe more explanation would have helped it be less depressing.
I've always heard that his diary was amazing. I hope it was better than this book made it sound.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short biographical introduction to David Brainerd, followed by 51 excerpts from his diaries. Edifying.