William Borden

[Scrawly]

I was listening to a sermon a little while ago and the preacher highlighted a young man named William Borden. The preacher spoke in glowing terms about Mr. Borden's life -- how he was utterly sold out for Christ and the gospel, how he shunned the family business and gave away his inheritance and riches. The preacher spoke about this young man's tremendous obedience to God that manifested in a life of service to God. Ultimately, Mr. Borden died of spinal meningitis at the age of 25, as he embarked upon evangelism of Muslims in Egypt.

Now, as I was listening to the details of this young man's life and the sacrifice(s) he made, I couldn't help but think about religious fanaticism and/or religious mania. I think these are genuine psychological conditions that affect certain individual's. I have read various anecdotes in relation to the correlation between hyper religiosity and mental illness, but much work still needs to be done in this area. Naturally, younger individual's seem especially vulnerable. I personally treat claims of "being led by God" and "following the promptings of the Spirit" with a high degree of skepticism. My questions, therefore, are as follows:

1) Is it possible that Mr. Borden was manifesting symptoms of religious fanaticism that had a mental illness as it's driving force as opposed to the "activity of God"?

2) What criteria do we utilize in order to differentiate between religious fanaticism/mania and the "Spirit's fire"?

[Scrawly]

PS: Yes, I remember touching on this subject before, but I don't recall reaching any sort of clear answer. Perhaps there isn't one? Please discuss.

[Scrawly]

Another angle to approach this subject from would be to pose the following question: At what point does Christian faith become "toxic" or unhealthy?

[robrecht]

One would have to get to know someone personally before trying to make such an evaluation. Do they have healthy relationships with others? Are they avoiding the normal developmental challenges of becoming an adult? Such psychological assessments are a important part of vocational discernment for those seeking ordination or religious life, but it is a very fallible process, nonetheless one that should not be rushed or avoided.

[Obsidian]

I would be interested in knowing what the man's theology was. If he were a genuine prophet, it's hard to believe that God would let him die so pointlessly right when he was getting started.

[Scrawly]

One would have to get to know someone personally before trying to make such an evaluation. Do they have healthy relationships with others? Are they avoiding the normal developmental challenges of becoming an adult? Such psychological assessments are a important part of vocational discernment for those seeking ordination or religious life, but it is a very fallible process, nonetheless one that should not be rushed or avoided.

Would you say that some of the more radical commands of Jesus and the Apostle's could be interpreted at face value by those suffering from mental instability and thereby bypass "normal development"? Do you think that those suffering from varying forms of mental illness can and do cloak their mental illness in religiosity or intense devotion? Do you also think we should place the radical commands of Jesus and his Apostle's in their ancient, primitive context and be wary of applying them in modern contexts?

[Scrawly]

I would be interested in knowing what the man's theology was. If he were a genuine prophet, it's hard to believe that God would let him die so pointlessly right when he was getting started.

I don't think Mr. Borden claimed to be a prophet. I think this was partly a case of a young man with deep convictions that resulted in zealousness for God and his kingdom. I think we need to analyze what fuels the zeal that Mr. Borden and others like him exhibit before uncritically celebrating the lives of these individuals, when many of these cases may in fact be quite tragic.

[Obsidian]

During college the guy spent time trying to 'evangelize' (I still don't know exactly what that meant to him) and rehabilitate the poor and/or obnoxious people in his society. He chose to forego a lucrative career in business (selling milk) and instead became a missionary. He died of an unusual disease before even accomplishing anything as a missionary. Contrary to what you wrote above, elsewhere I have seen that he gave away $1 million in his last will and testament, so it does not appear that he gave all his money away in his lifetime. It's perhaps not the path that I would have preferred, but I don't find anything all that extraordinary or insane about him.

[Scrawly]

During college the guy spent time trying to 'evangelize' (I still don't know exactly what that meant to him) and rehabilitate the poor and/or obnoxious people in his society. He chose to forego a lucrative career in business (selling milk) and instead became a missionary. He died of an unusual disease before even accomplishing anything as a missionary. Contrary to what you wrote above, elsewhere I have seen that he gave away $1 million in his last will and testament, so it does not appear that he gave all his money away in his lifetime. It's perhaps not the path that I would have preferred, but I don't find anything all that extraordinary or insane about him.

So would you say that Mr. Borden was basically a typical Christian who really, truly believed the bible and lived his life according to the plain, yet difficult commands of the bible? Commands such as selling all to the poor and following Jesus, such as not storing up our wealth where moth and rust eat it away, such as being like the good Samaritan and opening our doors to rehabilitate the down trodden, such as living for eternity with our eyes set on the unseen and not the seen, etc.? Or do we turn a blind eye to these commands and emphasize verses in the book of proverbs while we dwell in comfort and live like moral hedonists?

[Scrawly]

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1John 4:17.

[robrecht]

Would you say that some of the more radical commands of Jesus and the Apostle's could be interpreted at face value by those suffering from mental instability and thereby bypass "normal development"?

If someone is mentally unstable, that needs to be addressed, in addition to whatever normal developmental issues that need to be addressed

Do you think that those suffering from varying forms of mental illness can and do cloak their mental illness in religiosity or intense devotion?

I think that can happens sometimes. Religious life, in the traditional Catholic sense, ie, communities of priests, nuns, or brothers, can also be attractive to some relatively immature people (not mentally ill) as a way of achieving an instant, idealized identity rather than growing up to adulthood in the normal way of getting a job, dating, normal relationships, etc.

Do you also think we should place the radical commands of Jesus and his Apostle's in their ancient, primitive context and be wary of applying them in modern contexts?

Not necessarily. I think there is still a need for the witness and ministry of Christian communities that practice the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As long as the community is stable and contributing to the life and ministry of the the larger church and they take care to welcome mature and healthy people who feel called to this life, of course. It takes many years to fully join such a religious order, which allows plenty of time for mutual discernment by the community and the individual and growth in spiritual and psychological health. One can only renounce 'the world' with the freedom and love that comes with spiritual maturity, not as a means of escape, or an easy way out of difficulties and struggles.

[Obsidian]

Commands such as selling all to the poor and following Jesus, such as not storing up our wealth where moth and rust eat it away, such as being like the good Samaritan and opening our doors to rehabilitate the down trodden, such as living for eternity with our eyes set on the unseen and not the seen, etc.? Or do we turn a blind eye to these commands and emphasize verses in the book of proverbs while we dwell in comfort and live like moral hedonists?

1. "Selling all to the poor" was not a command of Jesus.
2. As I already said, Borden didn't do that, anyway.
3. Not storing up our wealth where moths eat is more advice than a command.
4. Being like the Good Samaritan is indeed a command, but it is a command to love to those that you come across in the way that you expect to be treated, not to go across the world looking for people to help.

The guy simply wanted to become a missionary. It happens all the time. Theoretically God will reward missionaries more generously in heaven, but only if they actually do a thorough job of it. If you take a financially rewarding job as a spiritual worker and don't follow through with the accompanying obligation, then "woe" unto you. (1 Corinthians 9:16; James 3:1). God doesn't command everyone to do those types of things, but he rewards the people who do.

[Thoughtful Monk]

PS: Yes, I remember touching on this subject before, but I don't recall reaching any sort of clear answer. Perhaps there isn't one? Please discuss.

I vote there is no clear answer. If we had a living subject in front of us, everyone would have a different opinion.

[Thoughtful Monk]

PS: Yes, I remember touching on this subject before, but I don't recall reaching any sort of clear answer. Perhaps there isn't one? Please discuss.

I think how you view this depends on whether or not you think God exists.

If you don't believe in God, this would look like religious mania. If you believe in God, this would look like deep devotion. If you're sitting on the fence, you're confused of what to make of him.

This is like finding evidence of God's existence. If you want believe God exists, you'll find the evidence. If you don't want to believe, there is no evidence.

So to answer the question in the OP, the criteria depends on the viewer and what they are looking for.

[Scrawly]

I think how you view this depends on whether or not you think God exists.

If you don't believe in God, this would look like religious mania. If you believe in God, this would look like deep devotion. If you're sitting on the fence, you're confused of what to make of him.

This is like finding evidence of God's existence. If you want believe God exists, you'll find the evidence. If you don't want to believe, there is no evidence.

So to answer the question in the OP, the criteria depends on the viewer and what they are looking for.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/his...am-borden.html