THEODORUS à BRAKEL (1608–1669)

The Lord began His saving work early in the life of one of the most significant divines of the seventeenth century “Nadere Reformatie” (Second Reformation) — Theodorus a Brakel. T. Brakel was raised by his maternal grandmother, who influenced him to read much in both Scripture and edificatory books as a child. At the age of ten, he had already experienced considerable conviction of sin and deliverance in Christ. As a young boy, his greatest joy in life was being in God’s house and tasting His communion experientially. Of the period from ten to sixteen years of age, he writes: “I was so one in love with my Cod and Redeemer that my body became ill as a result.” Of one particular experience in childhood, he states: “Reminding God of His promises, I was finally transported into such a state of joy and my thoughts were so drawn upward that, seeing Cod with the eyes of my soul, I felt one with Him. I felt myself transported into God’s being and at the same time I was so filled with joy, peace, and sweetness, that I cannot express it. With my spirit I was entirely in heaven for two or three days.”

T Brakel studied Latin at Enkhuizen for some time, and perhaps at Franeker as well, prior to being called to serve a Reformed congregation at Beers in Friesland in 1638. He also spent a year as pastor at Burg on Texel. For the rest of his life, he pastored in the Friesian town of Makkum.

T. Brakel wrote several influential works—all of which emphasize the experiential and practical leadings of God’s grace. Though it is true that his writings unveil mystical tendencies beyond that of most of the “Nadere Reformatie” divines, T Brakel always maintained that religious experience must be wholly subject to Scripture. Hence, contrary to what his opponents claim, he purposes to promote Biblical mysticism — not mysticism based exclusively on feeling and emotion. What his opponents often fail to acknowledge is that authentic Biblical mysticism cannot but be emotional and feeling-oriented as well.

The most renowned of T. Brakel’s works was his Trappen des Geestelyken Levens (Steps of Grace in Spiritual Life)—-often reprinted until today. (This work was originally published as Het Geestelyke Leven, ende de Stand eens Geloovigen Mencschen hier op Aarde in 1648, and was placed in an improved arrangement by his son William under the present title.)

Steps of Grace in Spiritual Life is written as a dialogue between a son who desires to learn about experiential Christian living and his father who is equally desirous to speak with his son about the Lord’s leadings. The first part deals with felicity (“gelucksaligheyt”); the second, with three steps or degrees of godliness—childhood, young manhood, and fatherhood. T. Brakel stresses that the essence of godliness is “communion with God in Christ.” This communion is made possible only by Christ, and is mediated to God’s people externally through the Word and internally through the Spirit. The believer appropriates this by faith as enabled. The fruits of such embracement are holiness, love, and obedience. Moreover, T. Brakel also expounds why communion with God is interrupted at times, as well as provides directions on how such communion may be maintained. Specifics for cultivating a godly walk and spiritual exercises are presented in detail. A strong Puritan ethic, Sabbath observance, and meditative life are emphasized. Finally, this remarkable experiential/practical volume closes with an account of T. Brakel’s access to God in his deathbed sufferings.

May God grant us something of that true experiential communion with God which this eminent divine so richly tasted!

– JRB

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