I'm sure you didn't fail to notice that the Reformation dominated a great deal of Christian conversation during 2017. And for good reason, as we passed the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's 95 Theses. I took the opportunity to dig into this moment in history, and particularly into the life of Luther, by reading through Martin Brecht's trilogy of biographies, and even making a trip to Wittenberg for Reformation Day itself.
While I am sure these literary (nevermind the physical) adventures will result in a number of articles over the coming months, I mention them now in order to explain my decision to realise a long held desire to immerse myself in the life and work of another German - George Muller.
I say long held desire, as I have wanted to embark on such a study for a while. Now that I have been given six weeks off to travel, before starting as a qualified solicitor back in London, I may finally get to see this desire realised.
Who was George Muller?
George Muller (1805-1898) was born in Prussia, but became a leading figure in British Christianity during the nineteenth century. Perhaps he is most famous for his work among orphans, setting up and running five orphanages for over 10,000 children without ever appealing for financial support. However, he was also a prominent figure in the early Brethren movement and spent the final years of his ministry travelling to 42 countries and preaching to millions.
You can find out more by reading or listening to the resources set out at the end of this article. I (unsurprisingly) particularly recommend John Piper's hour long biographical sermon on his life for a short overview.
Why pick George Muller?
Of all the great heroes of the faith, there are three reasons why I have chosen to study the life and work of George Muller.
1. Ecclesiastical Similarities
While I thoroughly enjoyed my time considering Martin Luther, and feel that it was profitable, I have to admit that at different points I felt a great deal of distance between our contexts. After all, Luther was a former monk living in a different country around five centuries ago.
However, aside from the obvious differences, the most difficult ones to bridge were those relating to our church contexts and practices. While I learnt much from the early Lutheran movement, differences in ecclesiology (theology of the church) mean that Luther faced many questions that I will not. Similarly, whether in relation to baptism, church leadership, the Lord's Supper or membership, I am facing questions in my own context that Luther never dreamed of considering.
George Muller, however, is much closer to myself in both church principles and practice. Indeed, not only do we share similar convictions on the order and ordinances of the local church, but he was an early leader in the Brethren movement, of which my local church is a part. Many of the questions I am facing in ministry, and we are facing together as a church, have been considered by men like Muller in the past.
With the addition of some contextual similarities, ministering in a diverse city in the south of England less than two centuries ago, George Muller provides a perfect role model for me to study and learn from in this season of ministry.
2. Experiential Differences
For all of the similarities, it goes without saying that there are vast differences between myself and Muller, particularly in the realm of experience. Muller's spiritual experiences are both exceptional and extraordinary. Known as a man of prayer, he had complete faith in God to provide for not only his daily needs, but the needs of thousands of children, sitting at tables, waiting to be fed every morning.
His example has already had an impact on my life. Indeed, it was his challenge regarding morning routine that caused me to reorientate my own practice and has led to great joy. In relation to how to spend those first few minutes and hours after we rise to start a new day, he stated:
"I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished." (Narrative 1:271)
This man of great faith not only left a legacy of faithful fruitfulness across the world and in countless lives, but led a life of satisfaction in God. As Steer puts it, Muller was delighted in God. As somebody who desires to find himself satisfied by and delighting in God, George Muller has blazed a powerful trail which I feel I must take up and follow.
This is not only the effect that I would desire from such a study, but one which Muller would desire as well. In the first preface to his narratives he stated that he was detailing his life in "the hope of being instrumental in this way to lead some of my brethren to value the Holy Scriptures more, and to judge by the standard of the word of God the principles on which they act." (Narrative 1:iii)
3. Eventual Opportunities
For all of George Muller's faith and fame, there is remarkably little written about him. Indeed, outside of his four volume autobiography, a few short biographies written by others and some published sermons, there is little material available.
As detailed above, I hope to profit greatly from my study, but I don't intend to keep this to myself. I am convinced that Christians today have much to gain from George Muller and see his life as an area of interest with significant scope for further work. As helpful as Carl Trueman's book on the theology of Luther for the Christian life was to me in distilling and defining the important lessons to be learnt, no such work yet exists for George Muller.
Additionally, while what does exist is extremely helpful, so much of which has been excellently written by Roger Steer, recent materials are often written by somebody outside of the movement he could be considered a founding father of (i.e. the Brethren movement), with little attention given to his ecclesiology and eschatology (the two areas of doctrine that are so often distinctive of that movement). This central part of Muller's life and faith deserves to be remembered.
What will this mean?
While the scope for future work may only be realised in the distant future, there is a clear opportunity to help others even as I am being helped now. As a result, I will be tweeting daily quotations from the narratives and works that I am reading while travelling over the coming weeks. I trust that these 'Mullings from Muller' will reintroduce many to a forgotten hero of the faith, and perhaps help others to find him for the first time.
Resources on George Muller
John Piper's Autobiographical Sermon
George Muller Logos Collection
ALEXANDER ARRELL