By Roscoe Barnes III, PhD
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind "Christ the Healer"
Copyright (c) 2020
#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters
Copyright (c) 2020
#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters
 |
| Joybringer Bosworth: His Life Story by Eunice M. Perkins |
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Note: In my doctoral work on F.F. Bosworth, I examined the paths he
took to become a famous healing evangelist. Specifically, I sought to determine
how he developed from a small-town farm boy into a prominent leader in the
Pentecostal and divine healing movements. The research revealed that his
ministry was forged by a number of critical events, which I label “Turning
Points.” Some of those turning points are presented below. Most of this
material first appeared in my doctoral thesis, F. F. Bosworth: A Historical
Analysis of the Influential Factors in His Life and Ministry. It can be viewed
here: https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/26869
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Major Turning Points in the Life
of F.F. Bosworth
In his book, Interpretive Biography (SAGE Publications, 1989),
Norman K. Denzin
writes that “lives have objective and subjective markers and
…these markers reflect key, critical points about the life in question.” He
suggests that these markers are “turning-point moments” which leave “permanent
marks” on a person’s life. Such was the case with F.F Bosworth. His life
history includes a number of significant moments that may be described as turning
points. These moments left indelible impressions on his life and ministry and
undoubtedly helped to shape his development as a healing evangelist. While some
of his experiences were indeed important, such as his discovery of music, his
first sale, his spiritual conversion, his persecution, and his marriages, other
experiences appeared to be more significant. The more significant experiences,
which are noted below, are described in this study as major turning points.
1.
First Major Turning Point: Healing of Tuberculosis
Bosworth’s healing of TB was a major experience for several
reasons. It was because of his illness that he left Nebraska and Illinois, and
traveled to Fitzgerald, where he met his first wife. While in Fitzgerald, he
received a word of prophecy about his future ministry from a woman evangelist.
This woman also prayed for him and he was healed. While in Fitzgerald, he grew
as a musician and toured with a local band. He purchased a barber shop and also
served as a city clerk. It was also in Fitzgerald that he read about John
Alexander Dowie and decided to move to Zion City.
In short, had Bosworth not been sick, he probably would not have
moved to Fitzgerald. Had he not been sick, he probably would not have met the
woman evangelist who prayed for him and said that God had a great work for him.
If he had not been healed, he would not have become a famous healing
evangelist. It seems clear, then, that the healing he experienced served not
only to prolong his life, but it also helped to establish his faith, while
providing him a foundation for future ministry.
2.
Second Major Turning Point: Pentecostal Experience
Bosworth’s Pentecostal experience, which he described as the
baptism in the Spirit, was a critical experience that occurred at a critical
time in his life. The year was 1906 and the place was Zion City. Bosworth had been working as a band leader
for Dowie, the founder of Zion City. However, near the end of his (Dowie’s)
life, Dowie became more controversial and extreme in his theology. He also
reportedly mismanaged his finances and suffered huge losses, even filing for
bankruptcy. His health deteriorated and he died in 1907. His followers, who had
traveled from many places to live in Zion, became disillusioned and distraught.
The timing seemed right for Charles Parham to come and introduce
his message of Pentecost. His work in Zion resulted in many receiving what they
called the baptism in the Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in
tongues. Bosworth was one who received this experience. He has stated it was at
this point that he received a call to preach. Although prepared to become a
professional musician or possibly a successful businessman, this Pentecostal
experience brought about a profound change in his life. It was a change that
fired him with a different outlook on life and a spiritual mission that became
the central focus of his life to the end.
Another reason the Pentecostal experience was critical may lie in
the way it bridged two spiritual encounters. Because of the works of Dowie,
Zion was known for its acceptance of divine healing, which is also a gift of
the Spirit (1 Cor. 12). However, through the works of Parham, Zion became known
for other gifts and manifestations of the Spirit. In other words, Bosworth
received his call to the ministry even as he benefited from two spiritual
blessings: divine healing and divine power with the evidence of speaking in
tongues. These two blessings, both spiritual encounters, became important
features of his ministry.
3.
Third Major Turning Point: Revival Meetings in Dallas
The revival in Dallas, Texas was an important moment that was due
in a large part to the ministry of Evangelist Maria Woodworth-Etter, who held
five months of meetings in 1912. The time of the meetings became a significant
moment in Pentecostal history. In fact, it was compared to the revival meetings
on Azusa Street in California.
Bosworth’s time with Woodworth-Etter was important on different
levels. First, it was because of its educational value: It provided him an
environment in which he could learn from the veteran minister, Woodworth-Etter,
and see first-hand how miraculous healings could take place along with
evangelism and other manifestations of the Spirit.
Second, this particular time in Dallas was important because of
the success of the meetings. Because of Bosworth’s writing and promotional
talents, the meetings were highly publicized and attracted people from across
the United States. Instead of waning with time, they continued to grow. It is
said that the revival meetings lasted 10 years.
Third, during the time of Woodworth-Etter’s visit, many well-known
leaders and writers in the Pentecostal movement made their way to Dallas
(Warner 1988). As a result, Bosworth’s name became well known. Fellowshipping
with these leaders undoubtedly allowed him to network, and created
opportunities and avenues for future ministry.
4.
Fourth Major Turning Point: Position on Evidential Tongues
One can only wonder what
would have happened if Bosworth had not taken a stand on the issue of tongues
and resigned from the Assemblies of God. There is a possibility that he would
have become a strong, pioneering leader in the AG. It is possible that his
ministry would have been limited or maybe restricted to the churches within the
AG denomination. Whether he would have reached the level of acclaim inside the
AG that he achieved after leaving the denomination is something to ponder. At
any rate, his decision to leave the AG was a vital moment in his career path to
becoming a healing evangelist. For it was after he left the AG that he joined
the C&MA. It was through the C&MA that he and his brother, B.B.
Bosworth, held some of their largest and most successful evangelistic healing
campaigns. While the resignation may have been painful at the time, it resulted
in opportunities that helped to expand his ministry outreach.
It is also possible that
his position on tongues paved the way for him to fellowship with churches,
groups and individuals that did not hold the AG view. So instead of having a
ministry that was restricted to classical Pentecostals or members of the AG, he
found a ready audience among people of many different denominations and church
backgrounds.
5.
Fifth Major Turning Point: Epiphany in Lima
Among the many experiences that Bosworth encountered in his
development were moments of revelation, which may be called “epiphanies.”
According to Denzin (1989), epiphanies are “problematic experiences” in which a
person’s character is revealed “as a crisis or a significant event is
confronted and experienced.” He asserts that epiphanies may be major, minor,
relived or illuminative. Denzin explains: “Epiphanies are interactional moments
and experiences which leave marks on people’s lives. In them, personal
character is manifested. They are often moments of crisis. They alter the
fundamental meaning structures in a person’s life. Their effects may be
positive or negative.”
One of Bosworth’s first recorded moments of revelation occurred in
Lima, Ohio, where he was asked to preach on divine healing. He apparently had
been uncertain about the will of God to heal all believers of all sicknesses
and diseases. However, after prayer and study of the Scriptures, he became convinced
that it was God’s will to heal all. He came to believe that healing is a part
of salvation and that it can be received in the same way that salvation for the
soul is received. He became an apologist on the subject and insisted that
divine healing was in the atoning work of Christ.
This epiphany in Lima was a significant moment for Bosworth. It
shaped his theology and allowed him to become grounded in his beliefs on
healing. The revelation he received became the cornerstone of his ministry and
the central thrust of his preaching throughout his career. It also resulted in
the publication of his classic, Christ the Healer (1924), in which he offers
instructions and makes numerous arguments in favor of divine healing.
6.
Sixth Major Turning Point: Epiphany in
South Africa
Another time where Bosworth had a moment of revelation was in
South Africa. This marked a major turning point in his life because of his
change in healing methodology and the vision he developed for foreign missions.
While in South Africa, he worked with Evangelists William Branham and Ern Baxter. Given the nature of their meetings, which consisted of many thousands
of people in open fields, Bosworth could not minister individually to the sick
as he had done in the United States. He decided to pray for the people en masse. In other words, he led the audience in a single prayer while encouraging
them to trust God for healing. Using this method, many reported being healed at
the same time.
Along with this method, Bosworth began using healing as an object
lesson to build faith in his audience. He would typically call the deaf to the
platform and pray for their healing. Once they were healed, he would turn to
the audience and say the healings illustrate what can happen when one believes
in the Word of God. Bosworth, like other evangelists who would follow him, also
found that attendance at his meetings “increased significantly after
spectacular cures were attributed” to his work.
In addition to implementing new methods for ministering to the
sick, the trip to South Africa sparked a yearning in him to preach in other
countries. His experiences in South Africa allowed him to see first-hand the
desperation and needs of multitudes. As a result, he felt moved by compassion
to take the message of salvation and healing to other nations.
Even though he was 74 at the time, and had semi-retired a few
years earlier, he began a new phase of his ministry. It was a phase in which he
traveled to such places as Japan, Germany and Switzerland. He continued to
travel and minister until his death in 1958. He died shortly before his
birthday at the age of 81.
Conclusion
Conclusion
These critical turning
points in the life of Bosworth are reminders that growth or success in ministry
is not necessarily based on an easy path or a life that is free of difficulties.
Success often comes with a price. Sometimes it begins with a crisis and it may
lead to an understanding or insight that would not have occurred without the
crisis experience. Bosworth’s life also illustrates the view that epiphanies
can be transformative and have a lasting impact on a person’s life. Although
Bosworth’s teachings on divine healing may be questioned and even debated, one
thing remains clear: His ministry has played a critical role in Pentecostal
church history. Through his book, Christ the Healer, he continues to have a significant
impact on today’s revivalists, church leaders, and people seeking divine
healing.
Related articles:
F.F. Bosworth and the Role of Women in His life and Ministry. See here.
Experience as a Catalyst for Healing Ministry: Historical
Evidence and Implications from the Life of F.F. Bosworth. See here.
F.F. Bosworth in South Africa: A Historical Analysis of
His Later Ministry and Healing Methodology. See here.
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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.
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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
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