T.L. Osborn's Memory of F.F. Bosworth

'82 interview reveals influence of E.W. Kenyon

By Roscoe Barnes III, PhD

Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind "Christ the Healer"
Copyright (c) 2020

#FFBosworth

#BosworthMatters

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Tommy Lee ("T.L.") Osborn
(1923 - 2013)
Photo credit: Spirit LIFE Magazine

When T. L. Osborn was asked about F.F. Bosworth in a 1982 interview, he replied with a story about Bosworth’s admiration for E.W. Kenyon. During the interview, Osborn talked about the miraculous healings in Bosworth’s ministry. He also made reference to Bosworth's classic, Christ the Healer. But what really caught his attention was the manner in which Bosworth acknowledged the contributions of Kenyon.

It was in the late 1940s. Bosworth had preached a message on "Confession." When he finished preaching, he told Osborn that he got the message from Kenyon. He then handed Osborn one of Kenyon's books. That act of kindness, not to mention the transparency, left an indelible impression on Osborn.

The interview with Osborn was conducted by Karen Robinson, then director of the Holy Spirit Research Center (HSRC) at Oral Roberts University, and Roberts Liardon, author of many books, including the popular series, God’s Generals. During the interview, Osborn talked about a number of topics which included his friendship with Oral Roberts. He discussed his own life and ministry as an international missionary evangelist, and he spoke about the ministry of William Branham.

The full interview, titled, “Interview with T. L. Osborn,” can be viewed here or by following this link: https://digitalshowcase.oru.edu/interviews/1

Osborn’s mention of Bosworth was prompted by Liardon, who said, “I understand that F.F. Bosworth and William Branham were ministers who you knew and followed closely.” Liardon asked, “What were some of the characteristics in their lives and ministries that you thought were outstanding and used in your own personal ministry?”

Branham, said Osborn, “is a name that, unfortunately, we don’t quote much now because of the repercussion of the foolish ideas among the people who followed him after his death.” He explained that for many years he talked about the impact that Branham had on his life. His stories about Branham appeared in his sermons and in his books, including the long-selling title, Healing the Sick.

After sharing a few anecdotes about Branham, Osborn talked about Kenyon. He said Kenyon “has given to the world the most wonderful, remarkable collection of books, next to the Bible, that exists.” He said Kenyon’s collection of books was his only Bible school. “I wasn’t fortunate enough to go to Bible school, so I read his books,” he said.

As for Bosworth, Osborn met with him at a Branham crusade, where Bosworth was teaching in the afternoon and evening services. Bosworth typically taught on divine healing to help prepare the audience for the healing services led by Branham. Osborn described Bosworth as “an old gentleman.” At that time, Osborn was only 25 and Bosworth was 75. Osborn recalled:

The thing that intrigued me, and impressed me about F.F. Bosworth … he preached a great sermon, for example, one day on confession. When he got all through with the sermon, everybody was thrilled. Everybody was convinced he made a great impact upon us. He chuckled in his lovely way, and said, “Now, you can get that from Brother Kenyon’s books. Here it is, I’ve just been preaching to you what Brother Kenyon wrote years ago.”

That simple acknowledgment by Bosworth is what moved Osborn. “I felt that was humility,” he said. “I felt that was credibility. It impressed me. He wasn’t claiming anything special. He was just passing on truth. He said, ‘I got it from him, you can get it from me.’”

Speaking further, Osborn said that in addition to having seen Jesus in a vision, he saw Jesus in a man when he saw Branham praying for the sick. “In Bosworth,” he said, “I saw Jesus in simplicity, in compassion, in love, in teaching, in powerful teaching.”

Osborn pointed to Luke 5:17, where it is stated, “It came to pass as Jesus was teaching, the power for the Lord was present to heal.” That expression of power is what Osborn saw in Bosworth. “As he (Bosworth) was teaching, hundreds of people were healed,” he said.

Like Bosworth, Osborn also witnessed miracles as he was teaching. In fact, he said, he had witnessed “great miracles” in almost 70 countries. Interestingly, he added, most of the miracles did not happen because of his personal prayers for individuals. Instead, they happened en masse. “For in all those years, I have practically never laid my hands on the sick,” he said. “The miracles have taken place as we taught the Word publicly to the people.”

Osborn apparently followed Bosworth's example in giving credit to whom it is due. Not only did he acknowledge Kenyon and other writers in books, but he did so in his preaching as well. For example, while speaking at a major word of faith convention in the 1980s, Osborn cited Kenyon's definition of "Righteousness." He defined it as the ability to stand in the presence of God without the sense of guilt, inferiority, or condemnation. After sharing the definition, Osborn said, "I got that from E.W. Kenyon."

Further Reading:

"F.F. Bosworth’s Endorsement of T.L. Osborn’s Most Famous Book: Letter of Support Appeared in Healing the Sick and Casting Out Devils." See here.

"F.F. Bosworth Mentioned in T.L. Osborn Biography: Book Recounts Origin of 'Mass Miracle' Concept." See here.

"T.L. Osborn's Mention of Billy Graham: Ideas Presented for Success in Ministry." See here.

"F.F. Bosworth Mentioned in Dr. Daniel C. King’s article, ‘Healing En Masse.’" See here.

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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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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