David Brainerd: Preparation for Preaching | Jonathan Edwards

An episode of the Reformed Thinking podcast, hosted by Edison Wu, titled "David Brainerd: Preparation for Preaching | Jonathan Edwards" was published on July 26, 2025 and runs 45 minutes.

July 26, 2025 ·45m · Reformed Thinking

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Summary

Deep Dive into The Life And Diary Of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards - Study of Divinity until Being Licensed to PreachDavid Brainerd, after his expulsion from Yale College, dedicated himself to studying divinity with Reverend Mr. Mills in Ripton, preparing for the ministry. His spiritual journey during this period, from April to July 1742, was marked by intense self-reflection and profound fluctuations between spiritual highs and lows.Brainerd consistently felt an intense sense of his own unworthiness, vileness, and sinfulness, believing he deserved "hell every day" for not loving God more. This deep humility, however, was coupled with an unwavering reliance on divine grace and an ardent longing for perfect holiness and conformity to Christ. He continually sought to be "nothing, and less than nothing," striving for inward purity and expressing a desire to "wear out my life in his service."Prayer was a central, often agonizing practice, frequently leading to physical exhaustion, such as being "quite wet with perspiration." He passionately interceded for the "enlargement of Christ's kingdom," the conversion of "poor souls," and especially the "poor heathen," expressing a willingness to suffer "banishment" or even death for this cause. He saw his past trials, including the "disgrace" at Yale, as God's "school" to teach him humility and prepare him for greater service.Brainerd developed a profound "weanedness from the world," viewing earthly comforts and human reputation as "infinitely vile," completely resigned to God's sovereign will for his future. This period culminated on Thursday, July 29, when he was examined by the Association of ministers at Danbury and licensed to preach the gospel of Christ. He went to bed that night resolving to "live devoted to God all my days."Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730

Episode Description

Deep Dive into The Life And Diary Of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards - Study of Divinity until Being Licensed to Preach

David Brainerd, after his expulsion from Yale College, dedicated himself to studying divinity with Reverend Mr. Mills in Ripton, preparing for the ministry. His spiritual journey during this period, from April to July 1742, was marked by intense self-reflection and profound fluctuations between spiritual highs and lows.

Brainerd consistently felt an intense sense of his own unworthiness, vileness, and sinfulness, believing he deserved "hell every day" for not loving God more. This deep humility, however, was coupled with an unwavering reliance on divine grace and an ardent longing for perfect holiness and conformity to Christ. He continually sought to be "nothing, and less than nothing," striving for inward purity and expressing a desire to "wear out my life in his service."

Prayer was a central, often agonizing practice, frequently leading to physical exhaustion, such as being "quite wet with perspiration." He passionately interceded for the "enlargement of Christ's kingdom," the conversion of "poor souls," and especially the "poor heathen," expressing a willingness to suffer "banishment" or even death for this cause. He saw his past trials, including the "disgrace" at Yale, as God's "school" to teach him humility and prepare him for greater service.

Brainerd developed a profound "weanedness from the world," viewing earthly comforts and human reputation as "infinitely vile," completely resigned to God's sovereign will for his future. This period culminated on Thursday, July 29, when he was examined by the Association of ministers at Danbury and licensed to preach the gospel of Christ. He went to bed that night resolving to "live devoted to God all my days."

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730