F.F. Bosworth featured in Dean Merrill’s book, ‘50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know’
F.F. Bosworth is one of many Pentecostal leaders featured in Dean Merrill’s book, “50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know” (Chosen Books, 2021). The book, which is similar to Lester Sumrall’s “Pioneers of Faith” (Harrison House, 1995), is a collection of profiles that provides a brief overview of Pentecostal and charismatic leaders who played important roles in revival movements and church history. As for Bosworth, Merrill describes him as “a man who wanted to hear from God equally as much as to speak for God and be the conduit of His healing power.”
The book features a long list of names that are well known. In addition to Bosworth, the list includes such luminaries as Maria Woodworth-Etter, Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Mason, William J. Seymour, John G. Lake, Aimee Semple McPherson, Donald Gee, Agnes Sanford, David du Plessis, Gordon and Freda Lindsay, Wonsuk and July Ma, Dennis and Rita Bennett, John and Elizabeth Sherrill, Francis and Judith MacNutt, Jack Hayford, Oral Roberts, William Branham, Harald Bredesen, Jane Hansen Hoyt, and John Wimber.
Dr. Craig S. Keener, who wrote the Foreword, describes the book as “a handy primer on most of the leading figures --- a valuable refresher for those schooled in Pentecostalism and a crucial survey to initiate beginners.” As such, the book is sure to answer questions, fill in gaps, inspire, and perhaps invigorate a new generation in the study of Pentecostal church history.
As the author, Merrill continues to add to an already impressive career. He is the former editor of Campus Life and Leadership Journal. He also served as editorial director for David C. Cook and Focus on the Family. He has written 10 books and co-authored 39 others, according to his bio. Some of his titles have been ranked on New York Times bestseller lists.
Note: John Lathrop wrote an excellent review of this book for The Pneuma Review. It can be read here.
Key moments in Bosworth’s life
Merrill’s 282-page volume gives readers a quick overview of the key moments in Bosworth’s life history. He opens the chapter with Bosworth’s dilemma in Lima, Ohio. Bosworth had been asked to preach on the subject of divine healing. He believed in healing, but he wrestled with the fact that all were not healed in answer to prayer. After some reflection and prayer, he concluded it was his job to preach and pray for the sick, and to leave the results to God. He’d asked, “Lord, suppose I preach on healing, and the people come and don’t get healed?” The Lord reportedly replied, “If people didn’t get saved, you wouldn’t stop preaching the Gospel.” From that point, Bosworth began preaching the message of salvation and healing with unrelenting boldness.
Merrill follows this section with two widely known cases of healing in Bosworth’s ministry. The first case is about the school for the deaf in Chicago in the 1920s where multiple students were reportedly healed through Bosworth’s ministry. David J. du Plessis mentioned the healings in the April 1958 issue of World-Wide Revival. He wrote:
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