David Brainerd – free audio book
Do you know the name David Brainerd? Some of you who have taken my 2000 Years of Missions Seminar might have heard his name, although he wasn’t one of the main characters we discussed.
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David Brainerd was a missionary in what is now New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, USA. He served native peoples in the 1740s, at a time when they were looked down on, used and even slaughtered. He died at the age of 29 of tuberculosis, and didn’t live to see a lot of lives changed. The work was continued by his brother John, and his ministry did have a lasting impact.
But his journals probably had an even greater impact than his actual ministry. He wrote a very personal diary, never intending it to be published. It’s brutally honest, as Brainerd dealt with loneliness, depression, and his ongoing illness. And yet his passion to serve the Lord and find strength in Him shone through.
His journals were published by American theologian (and later himself a missionary to native Americans) Jonathan Edwards, who knew Brainerd personally. Those journals were read years later by English pastor and schoolmaster William Carey, who became convinced that believers should share the truth of God’s Word with people around the world.
Carey attacked the prevailing belief that people should do nothing to reach others with the Gospel, and launched the modern age of missions.
Since then, countless Christians have found they can relate to Brainerd’s struggles, and have been inspired and motivated by his journals. This young missionary continues to impact the world, 260 years after his death (he died on this day in 1747).
Oh, but you came here looking for something FREE, didn’t you? Well, christianaudio.com is giving away the audio book The Life of David Brainerd, unabridged. This is the book by Jonathan Edwards that includes Brainerd’s journals. This is ordinarily a $25.98 download. It’s a total of 9 hours and 15 minutes.
* To get the book for free, enter the code OCT2007. This giveaway is only available until the end of October 2007.
If you prefer something you can hold in your hand, for a few dollars you can get the paperback version – The Life And Diary of David Brainerd.
19 October 2007 @ 1:10 pm
It’s so encouraging to be reminded again of this dedicated Christian. Since I too have struggled most of my life with depression, it’s affirming to know that God can use us, despite, or maybe more accurately, because of the very suffering we experience. As Paul said, His power shows up best in our weakness!!
And, as a song I used to listen too says, “He’s too loving to be unkind; too wise to make a mistake and too strong to let me go.” (I’m not sure I have that quote exactly right, but I think you can get the idea!)