The spirituality of Andrew Murray Jr. (1828-1917): a theological-critical assessment

English: Andrew Murray Junior (1828-1917) is an internationally known theologian who is famous for his deep and profound spirituality. His mature spirituality led him to be an influential Christian, minister and leader of the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa to which he belonged. Moreover his over two hundreds masterpieces make him still influential in the world. This study started with the burdensome enquiry of a pastor who had served in a Presbyterian church in Korea. Looking at churches that were gradually secularising but not being aware of the facts, he asked of the Lord of the churches and of himself a question: “How do I effectively let them know their situation that goes against the Bible truth?” Discovering Murray gave him an answer to this question. This study aimed to analyse Murray’s spirituality and its development in the course of his life time diachronically and synchronically, and to identify the main influence on Murray’s spiritual development. Surveying various applicable primary sources, this study identified three stages of spiritual development in Murray’s life time: The first stage (chapter 2) covered with the period between the years from 1828 to 1845. This study identified the period as the ‘formative period’ of his spirituality. During this period, he had been at Graaff-Reinet (1828-1838), and was at his Uncle’s home in Aberdeen (1838-1845). While Murray was at Graaff-Reinet, he was much influenced by his godly parents, especially his father Andrew Murray Senior (1794-1866). The atmosphere of the Graaff-Reinet home was reverence itself. Murray Sr.’s wisdom and authority had never failed the obedience of his children. This influence continued even in his children’s adulthood. Murray was not excluded from this influence. When Murray was in Aberdeen his father’s influential spiritual inspection continued through letters. His father’s advice was never ignored, nor questioned by Murray. So this study calls the specific characteristic of Murray’s spirituality of this period ‘receptive.’ He received everything through his father’s instructions, which had been deeply engraved in his heart, which in turn meant that his father’s instructions worked as a screening device for Murray’s cognition. After finishing his study at Aberdeen, he went to Holland for further study. The second stage (chapter 3 and 4) of his spiritual development was the period when he stayed in Holland (1845-1848), and worked in the Bloemfontein pastorate as a minister (1849-1860). This study calls this period a ‘developing time,’ because throughout this period, he struggled with spiritual matters differently from the previous stage. When Murray was in Holland he experienced his conversion. It was a refreshing experience after a long spiritual struggle with his feelings of sin. The experience renewed his calling to God’s ministry, even though shortly after the experience he still struggled with sin. This was representative of his experiences during his stay in Holland. His father’s spiritual inspection by letters was duly continued during this period too. Murray’s first ministry began in Bloemfontein. It was a hard time for the young and inexperienced Murray. However, this period exerted no less influence on his spirituality. Theoretical knowledge that he had learnt was tested in the field. His knowledge now gradually became practical. This was different from the period when he was in Holland. His father’s spiritual and practical inspection was still continued through letters and sometimes with visitation. After finishing his first ministry successfully, he received a call from the Worcester pastorate (1860). The third stage (chapter 5 and 6) which this study refers to as the consolidation of his spirituality, covered his ministry in the Cape Colony (1860-1917). During this period, he served in three congregations: Worcester (1860-1864), Cape Town (1864-1871) and Wellington (1871-1906). After retiring from his active ministry (1906), he spent the rest of his life at Wellington (1906-1917). In the course of this period, he experienced two clear-cut experiences which profoundly deepened and widened his spirituality. The one was the Worcester revival, the other was his divine healing experience. However, the former was more decisive to his spirituality. After experiencing the revival experience, his conviction in faith and power in ministry was astonishing, compared with the previous period when he was in Bloemfontein. It is difficult to find, in his diary and letters, such words like ‘doubt,’ ‘weak’ or ‘lack of prayer,’ etc. This experience was also to be the direct catalyst for his abundant writings. Murray’s divine healing experience was also a clear-cut experience. This experience led him to change his established perceptions of sickness and disease. It widened his spirituality. It also reinforced his simple faith and simple prayer. Conclusively, Murray’s spirituality was a true Christian spirituality. It was faithful to the contemporary spirituality of the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and it was mainly influenced by his father Andrew Murray Senior. This fact shows us the importance of Christian home for nourishing children’s religious commitment and for spiritual maturity in their ongoing life.