Models of Pentecostal healing and practice in light of early twentieth century Pentecostalism

269 Pages·2002·26.869 MB·English

by  Alexander, Kimberly Ervin

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Models of Pentecostal healing and practice in light of
early twentieth century Pentecostalism
Thesis
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MODELS OF PENTECOSTAL HEALING AND PRACTICE IN LIGHT OF
EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY PENTECOSTALISM
by
Kimberly Ervin Alexander
BS, Winthrop University
MA, Church God School Theology
of of
A thesis in the
submitted area of
Historical Theology
to the
Open University
for the degree
of
Doctor Philosophy
of
St John's College, Nottingham
10
July 2002
I'JO
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t
AND PRACTICE IN
HEALING
MODELS
OF PENTECOSTAL
LIGHT PENTECOSTALISM
CENTURY
OF TWENTIETH
EARLY
Ervin Alexander
Kimberly
Abstract
This
thesis
healing theology found
offers
of and practice as
an examination
in
early American Pentecostalism.
ýNorth
The
thesis
begins brief
with a survey of recent scholarship and
research on the subject of healing in America, that little
establishing
attention
has been
to the theology
given the Pentecostal
and practice of early
movement.
The first
the thesis is devoted
major section of to the
an examination of
Divine Healing Movement
the the historical
of nineteenth century, providing
theological background the Pentecostal Movement's healing
and theology
of
By the five
and practice. examining writings of major practitioners of the
movement (including A. B. Simpson, Andrew Murray Carrie Judd
and
Montgomery),
theology "divine healing in
a nineteenth-century of provided
the is
atonement" articulated.
A the thesis is devoted to healing
major portion of an analysis of
theology in North American Pentecostalism. An inductive
and practice early
is the (1906 to 1923)
approach employed, examining earliest periodical
literature is
the that
of movement, and where not available examining other
tracts. This the
extant materials, such as sermons, songs and portion of study
Wesleyan- Pentecostalism Finished Work
two
and
consists of major parts:
Pentecostalism. The this is the identification two
result of examination of
the
distinct healing theologies and attendant practices, which are consistent
distinct
characteristics.
soteriological
with each group's
is then by the
A employed which, out of materials
models approach
distinct theologies healing
two
these of are
previously examined,
Pentecostal to the 1918 Influenza
A responses
of
case study
constructed.
test the two healing.
both to illustrate and models of
Epidemic
serves
including
A final summarizes conclusions contributions,
chapter
for further Pentecostal
the
implications of research studies
and
clarifications,
findings.
the
on
theological reflection
as well as a
Abbreviations
AF The Apostolic Faith
TBM The Bridegroom's Messenger
CE The Christian Evangel
ChrH Christian History
CH Church History
COGE The Church God Evangel
of
DPCM Dictionary Pentecostal Charismatic Movements
of and
JAH Journal American History
of
JPT Journal Pentecostal Theology
of
LH Leaves Healing
of
PE The Pentecostal Evangel
PHA The Pentecostal Holiness Advocate
PT Pentecostal Testimony
TOF Triumphs Faith
of
WE The Weekly Evangel
WTJ Wesleyan Theological Journal
TWT The Whole Truth
WW Word Witness
and
i
Acknowledgments
The blessings both before during
and
and encouragement of many,
the process, have made this work possible. Scholars and preachers in the
fruition in
Pentecostal tradition have to
sown seeds which are now coming
my work.
I like to those through the
years who
would gratefully acknowledge
had the foresight to to the Pentecostal
record and preserve accounts of
in its fervency. Thankfully, few the
though
revival all with means and with
task in their these
primary of evangelism and mission uppermost mind, men
in the tradition Wesley, the time
and women, of understood sacredness of
God.
spent with
Several Pentecostal have
archives made me welcome, giving me
less to their I like to thank
more or unhindered access collections. would
Wayne Warner Flower Center in Springfield, Missouri; J.
the the
and staff of
L. Hall United Pentecostal Church in Hazelhurst,
the the
and archives at
Missouri; Emma J. Clark the Mattie M. Moss Collection the McGlothen
at of
Temple Church God in Christ in Richmond, California the Emmanuel
of and
College Archives in Franklin Springs, Georgia. Dr. David G. Roebuck
and
the the Hal Bernard Dixon, Jr. Pentecostal Research Center in
staff of
Cleveland, Tennessee have been invaluable in their being
assistance,
"beck for last
the
nearly at my and call" six years.
My the Church God Theological Seminary in
colleagues at of
Cleveland, Tennessee have been in dialogue from
the
near constant with me
beginning. I have been to be to team teach two
especially grateful able with
Dr. R. Hollis Gause Dr. John Christopher Thomas. They
of my mentors, and
have to through the issues in the
allowed me work very stimulating
Dean Steven J. Land's
the
environment of classroom. perceptions and
insights have been the for breakthroughs in thought.
often catalyst
I blessed to be this true
am particularly a part of seminary, where a
Body Christ, house for I
the
picture of of a of prayer all people, emerges.
have felt I I've facilitated discussions
that the
often was student as with my
from My Roger Cornell
the
students all over world. student assistants, and
Robb Blackaby, have the laborious tasks involved
aided me with often with
teaching, freeing for the hard
me work of research.
I have benefitted, during this from four different, but
process, very
ii
helpful, Dr. Adrian Chatfield the needed
much
supervisors. provided
His insights
I for the first two never
affirmation needed years of my program.
failed to amaze me! Professor Kevin Ward's keen eye was a constant source
Canon
I have been for the time
spent with
of needed challenge. very grateful
Dr. Christina Baxter. She have been the
some of
read what surely must
the them
more unusual accounts of ministry and reflection upon which she
has but
the
encountered, always with careful and reflective eye of a
theologian. Dr. John Christopher Thomas, former teacher
systematic my and
friend for has the
a and colleague years, provided steady encouragement
throughout this It he first to do this
needed process. was who challenged me
I forever indebted.
work. am
Members the Body Christ, the local that Body
of of and expressions of
in husband I have been to for the
which my and privileged minister past six
have to this in tangible but
years contributed work, sometimes ways, always
through their intercession. To the Woodward Avenue Dutch
prayer and and
Valley Churches God, I thank I that God brought into
of say you. am glad you
life. In I thank Merv Peggy Weerasakera,
my particular, must and whose
initial has facilitated
this
support greatly project.
I have have it
would never endeavored such a work, nor undertaken
the drive had it been for families
with necessary and passion, not my of
The Ervins Newtons, Pentecostal believers
origin. and committed and
(at least dozen for
them) the three
preachers a among past generations,
the this has My Larry
provided ethos out of which work generated. parents,
Elaine Ervin, have for
that
and always provided all was necessary such a
task. They failed to believe that I "do things"
never make me could all with
the help the Lord.
of
Finally, importantly, I thank immediate family for
and most must my
the biggest for believing in My three beautiful
making sacrifice and me most.
daughters, Hope, Emma Leslie, have literally hearing Mommy
and grown up
tell Pentecostal healings the dinner table. They have
stories of early at
to if to be for them. I have
motivated me succeed, only a positive role model
to them in their Pentecostal
rejoiced see each of growing own experience
into Corky Alexander, husband
their twenty-two
and own ministries. my of
favorite Pentecostal kept homefires
the
years, my preacher and my pastor,
burning I "writing-up" in England. His
testimony
every summer while was
of
iii
deliverance, his diligence in his preaching
study and service and powerful
have inspired blessed for the I've known him. As we've
me and me all years
faith fathers
together, to the and mothers.
ministered we've come own of our
He is truly dialogue "my love. " With gratitude,
my co-laborer, my partner and
to Corky, Hope, Emma Leslie, I dedicate this
work.
and
"For the is for for for far
promise you, your children, and all who are away,
God him. "
the Lord to
everyone whom our calls
Acts 2.39
(NRSV)
IV
Outline
Thesis
Abbreviations I
Acknowledgements II
Thesis Outline V
I
Chapter 1 Introduction Justification for the Thesis
and
Chapter 2 The Nineteenth Century Healing Movement 8
1. Identification Movement 8
the
of
Introduction
A. Definition
B. Time-frame
C. Theological Background
D. Leadership Movement
the
of
1. Dr. Charles Cullis
2. A. J. Gordon
3. A. B. Simpson
4. Andrew Murray
5. Carrie Judd Montgomery
ii. Hermeneutics the Movement 27
of
Introduction
A. Theological Presuppositions
B. Hermeneutical Method
C. Examples
Conclusions
The Doctrine Divine Healing Provided in the 36
of as
Atonement
Introduction
A. Wesley's Soteriology
B. The Four-fold Gospel
C. Healing The Shorter Way
via
D. The Holy Spirit Healing
and
E. Means Healing
of
F. Healing for Service in Kingdom
the
IV. The Healing Home: An Ecclesiological Model
53
Excursus 1: John Alexander Dowie
57
V
Chapter
3 Healing in the Early North American Pentecostal Movement 63
Introduction
Part 1- Identification Movement 64
the
of
Definition
64
Time-frame
65
Primary Sources
66
Excursus 2: The Role Publishing in Early 69
of
Pentecostalism
Iv.
Research Methodology
71
Part 2- The Wesleyan- Pentecostal Stream
73
Healing Azusa Street-
Documentation in
at
The Apostolic Faith
73
A. History Revival
the
of
B. The Origins
Illness
of
C. God's Remedy for Sickness:
The Atonement
D. The Holy Spirit
Healing
and
E. Signs Following Believers
F. Means Healing
of
Healing Theology Practice in Early Southern
and
Pentecostalism: Documentation
in The
Bridegroom's Messenger
84
A. History G. B. Cashwell
the
of
and
Publication
B. Overview Contents
the
of
C. Healing Theology
D. Hattie M. Barth 7s Integration
Healing
of
and
Eschatology
E. Means Healing Sick
the
of
Healing in the Church God (Cleveland,
of
Tennessee)
Reflected
in
as
The Church God Evangel
95
of
A. History
the Denomination
of
B. The Church
God
Ethos
of
C. Origins
Illness
of
vi
Atonement
Provided in the
D. Divine Healing
Believers
Signs Following
E.
F. Means Healing
of
Vocation
G. Healing
as
H. Ultimate Healing
IV. Healing Theology Practice in
and
Church God in Christ 113
the
of
Introduction
Church God in Christ
A. History the
of of
B. Origins Illness
of
C. Divine Healing in the Atonement
D. The Holy Spirit Healing
and
E. Signs Following Believers
F. The Place Faith in Healing
of
G. Means Healing
of
V. Healing in the Pentecostal Holiness Church
as
Reflected in The Pentecostal Holiness
Advocate 1917-1923 124
A. History the Pentecostal Holiness Church
of
B. Origins Illness
of
C. Divine Healing Provided in the Atonement
D. Signs Following Believers
E. The Holy Spirit Healing
and
F. The Role Faith
of
G. Means Healing
of
H. Healing Christian Vocation
the
and
1. Ultimate Healing
Part 3- Healing Theology Practice in the Finished Work
and
Pentecostal Stream 151
Healing Theology After Pentecostal Experience
--
Documentation in Triumphs Faith 151
of
A. Carrie Judd Montgomery's Pentecostal
Experience
B. Montgomery's Pentecostal Healing
Theology
C. Means Healing
of
Healing Theology Practice Documented in
and as
the Assemblies God Publications
161
of
vii