F.F. Bosworth's Defense of Divine Healing

A look at his use of the 'Notable Data Argument' (NDA)

By Roscoe Barnes III, PhD

Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind "Christ the Healer"
Copyright (c) 2019

#FFBosworth

#BosworthMatters

The Scranton Republican (Scranton, Pa.)
July 29, 1925, page 2

Introducing the 'Notable Data Argument' (NDA) Concept

Whenever F.F. Bosworth was challenged on the topic of divine healing, he used Scripture and divine healing cases/testimonials in what I term the “Notable Data Argument” or NDA (taken from Acts 4:16). I define NDA as the Pentecostal method of proving a point, establishing a supernatural claim -- or supporting a position --  by using trusted experiences that are widely accepted and validated by objective sources, such as medical professionals. 

The NDA concept, which is based on patterns identified in Bosworth's life history, was inspired by Acts 4:16: "What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can't deny it” (World English Bible).

One of Bosworth’s most famous debates occurred in January 1950 in Houston, Texas, where he debated the Rev. W.E. Best, a local Baptist pastor, on the issue of divine healing. Bosworth defended his position by pointing to the promises of healing in the Bible and the healing cases in the audience. That, I would suggest, was a good example of the NDA in action.

'Apologist on fire'

But long before his time in Houston, Bosworth spent decades taking on critics, answering skeptics and entering debates. It is no secret that he was a staunch and tireless defender of divine healing. His book, Christ the Healer, is his crowning argument and, undoubtedly, his classic manifesto on the subject.

A Pentecostal pioneer, Bosworth believed in the supernatural. He was an apt apologist of healing who seemed to relish a good fight on the issue. He was, if you will, an apologist on fire. To his credit, doctors and other medical professionals have testified to being healed in his meetings. In some services, he would invite physicians to sit on the platform so they could see and help validate the many claims of healing.

In July 1925, about a year after the publication of his book, Christ the Healer, he found himself in another place where he was challenged and called on to defend his ministry of healing. He was holding meetings in Scranton, Pa., a place where people criticized his work, and a preacher wanted to run him out of town.

“I will admit,” Bosworth said in The Scranton Republican (July 29, 1925), “that as far as the ministry of healing is concerned, this has been one of the most difficult fields we have visited. I believe, however, through prayer this will change."

#NotableDataArgument #NDA

When the Rev. F.E. Lott dared to challenge Bosworth over his theology and claims of healing, Bosworth answered the challenge, but not in the way that Lott expected.

Lott, who was pastor of the Methodist M.E. Church, had asked Bosworth to prove the validity of the healings with a statement from a physician. Bosworth replied by saying it was "unscriptural and against the Lord’s own example for him to accept a challenge for the purpose of convincing by miracles those who are rejecting Christ’s promises and the testimony of His worshippers." Additionally, Bosworth said that Lott should "pick out some who say their healing is complete and produce a doctor’s certificate that they are not healed." 

Bosworth, who obviously believed that his work was legit -- and would stand up to scrutiny, placed the theological ball in Lott's court. (See full newspaper story below.)

In the news report, Bosworth comes across as one who is confident and respectful. He projects modesty and he dismisses claims that he's a healer; he reminds his audience that Christ is the healer. While he might have been frustrated, and had a number of reasons to be angry, he still allowed for a little humor in his argument.

As in other debates, Bosworth supported his position with Scripture and with notable cases of healing. He also dipped into church history for support. As noted above, when he pointed to the people who had testified to being healed, he was using what I termed the "Notable Data Argument."

'Notable' cases of healing

An example of Bosworth’s “notable” and “undeniable” cases of healing can be seen in the July 3, 1925 issue of The Scranton Republican. The paper ran a story about a number of people who were previously deaf, but had been healed through prayer. After their healing, they reportedly urged Bosworth to invite others who were deaf or hearing impaired to the revival meetings. Under the headline, “Deaf Mutes Invited To Bosworth Revival,” the paper reported:

Remarkable cures of deaf-mutes, attested by undeniable documentary proof, in other cities of the country, have taken place at the Bosworth "healing meetings." Men and women who have not heard a word since childhood have had their hearing perfectly restored instantly by the power of faith.

In that same story, the paper recounted instances of healing in other meetings held by Bosworth. In one, a physician was reportedly healed. In another meeting, “notable” physicians sat on the platform each night, according to the paper.

Physicians Invited

The committee in charge of the campaign also called on the physicians of the city to attend the meetings. Mr. Bosworth is more than willing that any doctor examine those who testify to cures. Recently during a campaign in Detroit, Mich., the Director of Public Health expressed doubt regarding the cures as announced from the platform. Before the campaign ended he was perfectly convinced that the "healing" was complete and permanent.

During their recent campaign in Ottawa, Canada, several well known physicians of that city sat on the platform night after night. Dr. C.T. Bowles, well known in the Canadian city, was anointed by the evangelist and cured of a disease of the eyes which had long troubled him.

One can only imagine the faith and boldness that Bosworth must have had when he invited the physicians to his meetings. After all, that is not something a charlatan would do. Bosworth's invitation, in my opinion, showed integrity. It also underscored his efforts to be truthful.

By the close of Bosworth's meetings in Scranton, scores of people reported being healed by the power of God. On August 1, 1925, The Scranton Republican featured a story about the claims of healing. The story appeared under the headline:

'Healed' People Tell

Stories at Armory

Almost Every Disease in Medical Dictionaries 

Reported Cured -- Immersion in Great Tank Tonight

A newspaper clip of the story is featured below.

------------------------------------------- 

The Scranton Republican

(Wednesday, July 29, 1925, page 2)

Bosworth Declines

Challenge for Money

--------------

Defi Unscriptural, but Is Willing to Have Dr. Lott

Pick Out Any Healed and Have Pastor Prove

By Physicians That They Are Not

Every seat in the Col. Watres Armory was filled last night when Rev. F.F. Bosworth, head of the Mission of Faith, conducting a revival here, began his answer to the challenge issued by Rev. F.E. Lott, pastor of the Methodist M.E. Church.

Mr. Bosworth began his sermon by saying that he had only the kindliest feelings toward Doctor Lott. “He is mistaken, that is all,” he said, “we all make them, and we should be patient with each other. I trust no one will break friendship with our brother because of his mistake. Men can be honestly mistaken. I admire a man who can take his stand against what he believes to be wrong.”

Answer to Challenge.

Mr. Bosworth answered Dr. Lott’s challenge by saying that, while it was entirely unscriptural and against the Lord’s own example for him to accept a challenge for the purpose of convincing by miracles those who are rejecting Christ’s promises and the testimony of His worshippers, yet:

Since thousands who attend these meetings believe that God is healing the sick, and Dr. Lott doubts it, instead of his challenging us to prove to him by physician’s statement that these testimonies of healing are true, let him pick out some who say their healing is complete and produce a doctor’s certificate that they are not healed.

“I will admit,” he said, “that as far as the ministry of healing is concerned, this has been one of the most difficult fields we have visited. I believe, however, through prayer this will change.

Suppose it were time that there had been no miracle of healing in Scranton, what would this prove but unbelief?

“We have the proof of the Scriptures themselves that Jesus ‘could do no miracles in Nazareth,’ where He grew up, because of their unbelief.

“Is it not our brother’s very attitude, and his opposition to the revival, which helps to create and preserve the community unbelief that characterized Nazareth?

 Called Ridiculous.

“Continuing,” Mr. Bosworth said: “To ask us to prove that we ‘effected’ a cure of cancer would be as ridiculous as for us to ask a minister to prove that he had regenerated a drunkard. We have never so much as intimated that we were ‘healers.’ We are not healers, any more than any other preacher is a savior.

“I am challenged to pick up serpents, raise the dead, drink poison, and speak in tongues.

“Paul did not purposely take up the viper: it fastened itself onto his arm.

“Surely He does not mean for us to drink poison just to show off.

“The Scotch Worthies record the raising of a prominent man, dead 49 hours, through the prayer of John Welsh.

“Shaft’s history of the Christian Church says that some of the early Methodists spoke in tongues as on the day of Pentecost.”

Concerning our running from the city of Scranton, as Dr. Lott says we should, I answer that it was Lot who ran from Sodom, and not Abraham.

I was told by some who attended Dr. Lott’s meeting Sunday evening that he said we should leave the city before the intelligent people ran us out.

Meetings Continue

Referring to Rev. Lott’s request that the evangelists leave the city, a member of the committee arose and asked those who would like them to remain another week to stand. Six thousand stood, and Mr. Bosworth, then agreed to stay for the extra week here. The meetings will be held in the Armory, mornings at ten o’clock and nights at 7:30.

At tonight’s meeting John C. Sproul, of Pittsburgh, who tells a wonderful story, will talk, and Mr. Bosworth will preach.

---------------------------

Reminder: "F.F. Bosworth History" is now on Twitter. Follow @bosworth_fred

-------------------------

Note: My book, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind "Christ the Healer," can be purchased here with a 25% discount. Use the discount code: bosworth25.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to know more

about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

Start here:

ffbosworth.strikingly.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information:
Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @bosworth_fred and @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer #BosworthMention #BosworthMatters