F.F. Bosworth Mentioned in Daniel J. Simmons' Thesis, '...

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 F.F. Bosworth Mentioned in Daniel J. Simmons' Thesis, 'They Shall Recover 

Paper notes enduring legacy of 'Christ the Healer'

By Roscoe Barnes III, PhD
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind "Christ the Healer"
Copyright (c) 2019

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters
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"F.F. Bosworth’s 1924 Pentecostal classic Christ the Healer was widely distributed and revered in classical Pentecostalism" -- Daniel J. Simmons

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Daniel J. Simmons is one of a growing number of researchers who acknowledges the significance of F.F. Bosworth's role as a Pentecostal pioneer. He believes, like many historians and theologians, that Bosworth matters, especially in discussions about divine healing and Pentecostal church history. Simmons noted Bosworth's contributions in his excellent honors thesis, They Shall Recover: Towards a Pneumatological and Eschatological Understanding of the Atonement in Pentecostal Healing (Southeastern University - Lakeland, Florida, 2015). On the subject of divine healing, Simmons wrote:
 
The impact of F.F. Bosworth’s Christ the Healer has not subsided since its first publication in 1924. Bosworth captured the essence of divine healing of both early Pentecostalism and the post-Azusa Pentecostal schisms splintering themselves for organization. Bosworth’s standardization of divine healing is validated in not only its influence on the healing revivals following World War Two, but also on the ideologies of modern Pentecostalism globally.

Simmons is accurate in his assessment, and his analysis is revealing. After all, Bosworth's influence on the healing revivalists of the 1940s and 1950s is well documented. The fact that his book has remained in print to this day, and is frequently quoted, is indicative of its impact on today's generation of believers. As noted in the article, "F.F. Bosworth's Defense of Divine Healing," his book, Christ the Healer, is his crowning argument and, undoubtedly, his classic manifesto on the subject of divine healing.

In the abstract to the thesis, Simmons explained that his aim was to identify "the ideologies of the Christian church surrounding divine healing with an emphasis upon the Pentecostal outbreak of the Azusa Street Revival." In addition to taking a close look at the teachings of divine healing in and through the Atonement, Simmons analyzed the Atonement model's ability "in adequately capturing Pentecostal thought regarding divine healing." He then examined "pneumatology and eschatology within the purview of divine healing in order to criticize the validity of the Atonement model."

In Chapter One, where he discussed "The History of Divine Healing and the Atonement," Simmons described Bosworth's Christ the Healer as a "Pentecostal classic" that "was widely distributed and revered in classical Pentecostalism." Noting the book's strong emphasis on healing through the Atonement, Simmons suggested it also offers "ample support in other theological and anthropological matters needed to comply with an Christological model for healing." Simmons included a concise summary of some of Bosworth's core claims about divine healing.
Related articles:

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.

F.F. Bosworth and Kenneth Hagin Jr.: A Look at the Similarities in Their Writings on the Past Tense of God’s Word. 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