F.F. Bosworth: False Teacher or not?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,848
4,504
113
#21
The assertions Bosworth is making are the ones always used by faith healers: God has promised He will always heal us; if you don't get healed it's because of your lack of faith in His promises; even if you don't experience healing immediately, I'm telling you you're healed, so just keep believing, at least long enough for me to get out of town and deposit your donation.
I see a common theme just like Deliverance ministries.

“Twenty-two Reasons for Failure to Be Healed It is so clearly revealed throughout the Scriptures that the heavenly Father wills our healing. Why do some who seek healing fail to receive it?” (F F Bosworth)

They remind me of the lawsuit commercials: you are entitled to healing if you meet these 22 requirements.

Example: 13. Lack of Diligence Some have no diligence when seeking God for healing. God “is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

maxresdefault-1.jpg

Which is a very high bar to meet. Seemingly perfection is the requirement. But I could be wrong. It all just sounds legalistic and a bar that healers can not reach because they have gotten sick and died just as anyone else.

How can one say that physical healing can be claimed today due to the atonement but not the conquering of death? Why is one reserved for the future but not the other?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
113
#22
I know from experience and observation that God's answer, in regard to healing, is not always yes.
If anyone should have been healed, it was the apostle Paul with his physical disability. He prayed for healing three times, yet God would not heal him, but gave him grace to bear the disability instead. Then we have Timothy, who was asked to use wine for his stomach ailments. Paul could have healed him, since Paul had the gift of healing miracles. So healing is not guaranteed to believers, even though during the earthly ministry of Christ, not one person was turned down.
 
F

FollowingtheWay

Guest
#24
Yep, S Wigglesworth is on my top 5 list of preachers/teachers etc I listen to regularly. His wife, who was a Christian speaker even back in the day, taught Wigglesworth how to read with the Bible. That's the only book he ever read and he would not allow any magazines/newspapers in his house. He was so anointed, that people around him would be convicted and seek repentance. So he and F F Bosworth are two of my go to guys to get a spirit-filled teaching as I relax, usually at night.
thanks 😊
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,848
4,504
113
#25
If anyone should have been healed, it was the apostle Paul with his physical disability. He prayed for healing three times, yet God would not heal him, but gave him grace to bear the disability instead. Then we have Timothy, who was asked to use wine for his stomach ailments. Paul could have healed him, since Paul had the gift of healing miracles. So healing is not guaranteed to believers, even though during the earthly ministry of Christ, not one person was turned down.
In the book, he has a whole chapter to argue away Paul's thorn.

“ it is specifically stated exactly what the “thorn in the flesh” was, as we shall see. For instance, in Numbers 33:55, Moses told the children of Israel, before they entered the land of Canaan, “If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.” Here the Scripture itself plainly tells us that the “pricks” in the eyes, and the “thorns” in the sides of the Israelites were the inhabitants of Canaan, and not eye trouble or sickness.”
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
13,079
10,642
113
#26
In the book, he has a whole chapter to argue away Paul's thorn.

“ it is specifically stated exactly what the “thorn in the flesh” was, as we shall see. For instance, in Numbers 33:55, Moses told the children of Israel, before they entered the land of Canaan, “If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.” Here the Scripture itself plainly tells us that the “pricks” in the eyes, and the “thorns” in the sides of the Israelites were the inhabitants of Canaan, and not eye trouble or sickness.”
Also, a very crucial factor is that Paul talks about the third Heaven and my thought was that God had to, so to speak, 'ground him' lest he puffed himself up. I agree also, it's not necessarily a physical ailment.
2 Cor 12:2 'I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows'.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
113
#27
Here the Scripture itself plainly tells us that the “pricks” in the eyes, and the “thorns” in the sides of the Israelites were the inhabitants of Canaan, and not eye trouble or sickness.”
Nice way to take a Scripture TOTALLY OUT OF CONTEXT to prove a point. This is laughable.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,961
29,315
113
#28
Nice way to take a Scripture TOTALLY OUT OF CONTEXT to prove a point. T
his is laughable.
Can you prove Paul's thorn was a physical disability? Mmmm, no, you cannot. Scripture does not say what it was.

In 2 Cor 12, Paul says it was to keep him from becoming conceited because of his surpassingly great revelations.
If anyone should have been healed, it was the apostle Paul with his physical disability.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
113
#29
Can you prove Paul's thorn was a physical disability? Mmmm, no, you cannot. Scripture does not say what it was.
Of course you can and Scripture does say what it was. "Weakness" in this context comes from PHYSICAL DISBILITIES (or "infirmities") and this is what Christ said and how Paul responded: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12:9). The "flesh" in this context is the body.

People simply have to carefully read what is written instead of making up their own ideas. We should keep in mind that Paul had suffered many beatings, and may even have been crippled.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,961
29,315
113
#30
Of course you can and Scripture does say what it was. "Weakness" in this context comes from PHYSICAL DISBILITIES (or "infirmities") and this is what Christ said and how Paul responded: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12:9). The "flesh" in this context is the body.

People simply have to carefully read what is written instead of making up their own ideas. We should keep in mind that Paul had suffered many beatings, and may even have been crippled.
Scripture does not say what it is. Weakness does not have to be physical, and often is not.

Infirmity is defined as the following:
1. a physical weakness or ailment: i.e. "the infirmities of age."
2. quality or state of being infirm; lack of strength.
3. a moral weakness or failing.
Funny you speak of others making up their own ideas when you do the same.
Scripture does not say what it was. Total fabrication! Jeepers. Get real.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,274
3,606
113
#31
R

Ruby123

Guest
#32
I believe it is Gods will to heal and Jesus does not turn anyone away. I do not like the way the faith preachers teach it though. It is full of condemnation and they blame it on you for your lack of faith. You need to ask God for yourself and ask him to reveal truth not people's opinions or theologies. He will speak to you in your own unique way.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,274
3,606
113
#33
Daniel long never said F. F. Bosworth was "a founder of the Assemblies of God." He said: "Frederick Francis Bosworth was an important figure in the early Pentecostal movement"; which is actually true.

Deaths like the one described in this video were a common occurrence among the faith healers of the time.
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#34
I'm researching the teachings of F.F. Bosworth and his book “Christ the Healer”

He basically teaches that divine healing is a promise of God so God's answer to healing is always yes and amen to the promises of Christ.

But I find this contradicting. Not that in Christ we do not see physical healing but to say it is always God's will doesn't take into account other scriptures.

What do you think?
There is only one interpreter of God's will, the Lord Jesus Christ. He said "I come not to do Mine own will but the will of Him who sent Me"

He healed EVERYONE who came to Him.

He never turned anybody away, He never once said "go thy way for it is God's will for you to be sick"

He never said "go be sick and learn from it or be strengthened or made holy thereby."

F. F. Boswell was a pioneer. Martin Luther was a pioneer but many of his mistakes and shortcomings are overlooked because of the weight and worth of the revelation he did bring.

We may think of Paul as the perfect minister [although he said he was not perfect nor had perfect knowledge] yet nobody has come close to Paul.

As great as Boswell was he was not Paul.

There is a flaw in all FAITH preaching.

Suppose the woman with the issue of blood had heard of Jesus, I'm sure she did. She has the word, the revelation, God heals, He heals through Jesus Christ. She BELIEVES what she has been told.

Now she has to come to Jesus, personally she must come and commit her case to Him. THAT'S where healing fails, people hear the message, they believe the message but they do not commit their persons to Christ.

Evangelicals have nothing to boast over Pentecostalists by the way. They do the same thing with the salvation message, they get people to the front, they get them to pray the prayer, they get them to confess "I believe, I believe, I believe" ... jump up and down.

But nothing really happens, they are not born again, no work of grace is done in the heart. But all that is swept under the carpet and covered up "100 folk came forward, 100 folk were saved" that's what the record shows.

But in the case of healing you can't get away with it. The fella came on crutches and he went away on crutches ... therefore shallow minded folks say there is no such thing as healing from Christ, it all a scam.

Get the people to Christ they will be healed.
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#35
I know from experience and observation that God's answer, in regard to healing, is not always yes. At least not in the lifetimes of those in need of healing and have prayed for it.

Never heard of the guy, but based on what you have written, I would say it would be a waste of time to continue to research his teachings.

He seems to be spiritually unsound.
You said it

you go by your observation and your experience. The bible says all of God's promises are yea and in Christ we say the amen.
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#36
all these things happen in evangelism too, people who we thought we had brought to the Lord, we were sure. We encouraged them to continue with the Lord t0o believe. But they go back, they seem to be 10 times worse a sinner than before.

We all have failures.

You major on that, what about the ones that didn't fail?
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,765
7,764
113
#37
The assertions Bosworth is making are the ones always used by faith healers: God has promised He will always heal us; if you don't get healed it's because of your lack of faith in His promises; even if you don't experience healing immediately, I'm telling you you're healed, so just keep believing, at least long enough for me to get out of town and deposit your donation.
Wrong again RA, one would have to be FAR from required relationship to post that:unsure:(y):(.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,274
3,606
113
#38
You major on that, what about the ones that didn't fail?
Still waiting for the ones that didn't fail. A lot of grand stories. But why are the hospitals still full? Why did so many people die from COVID? Why do the faith healers avoid people with real problems. Sure, maybe they've cured a few colds or some backaches; I'm waiting for some real healings, not stories.
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#39
I see a common theme just like Deliverance ministries.

“Twenty-two Reasons for Failure to Be Healed It is so clearly revealed throughout the Scriptures that the heavenly Father wills our healing. Why do some who seek healing fail to receive it?” (F F Bosworth)

They remind me of the lawsuit commercials: you are entitled to healing if you meet these 22 requirements.

Example: 13. Lack of Diligence Some have no diligence when seeking God for healing. God “is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

View attachment 252757

Which is a very high bar to meet. Seemingly perfection is the requirement. But I could be wrong. It all just sounds legalistic and a bar that healers can not reach because they have gotten sick and died just as anyone else.

How can one say that physical healing can be claimed today due to the atonement but not the conquering of death? Why is one reserved for the future but not the other?
Do you need to get your mind right? [cool hand Luke]

Isn't it right to think, God has promised healing therefore if healing does not take place there must be a failure. The failure cannot possibly be God's therefore it must be ours.

I would always put the failure on the ministry not upon the faith of the one seeking help or healing.
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#40
Still waiting for the ones that didn't fail. A lot of grand stories. But why are the hospitals still full? Why did so many people die from COVID? Why do the faith healers avoid people with real problems. Sure, maybe they've cured a few colds or some backaches; I'm waiting for some real healings, not stories.
That is foolish

Plenty of folks died while Jesus was ministering, at the pool of Bethesda only one was healed out of the multitude.

Nobody came to Jesus seeking healing failed.

How do you know Lazarus was raised from the dead? or that Jairus' daughter was raised up? or that 10 lepers were healed?

It's all stories, testimonies.