Christ the Healer: An Analysis (part 1)

Editor: Many years ago, a friend asked Robert Cottrill about the book Christ the Healer by F. F. Bosworth. That friend was kind enough to share Robert’s response with me. I thought it would be helpful to share his comprehensive answer over the next couple of weeks, because it addresses not only the book itself but also topics such as healing and Bible interpretation.

A study of the book, Christ the Healer, by F. F. Bosworth (Reprint of the material which first appeared in 1924. This edition published by Fleming H; Revell Company, 1973.) This paper constitutes a rough draft. My apologies where there are errors or omissions.

Introduction

What does the Bible teach on the subject of physical healing? What truth, what promises, can be appropriated today, by the sufferer? I am quite aware that some will consider those questions with more than an academic interest. They come to the Scriptures looking for answers because of a perceived need. And as I speak to the issue, it is my desire to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15), with some sensitivity and compassion toward those with physical infirmity.

Fred Bosworth (with his brother) was, for many years, engaged in a faith-healing ministry in Canada and the United States. Meetings were held in Hamilton, Ontario, which were attended by members of my own family. There was never any question, that I know of, that these men were anything but soundly evangelical. They preached salvation by grace, through faith in the finished work of Christ.

However, many parted company with them on their view of divine healing. F. F Bosworth taught (and still teaches, through his writings) that bodily healing can be claimed by all, in every case, as readily as can eternal salvation. He sincerely believed, as far as one can discern, that that was the message of the Bible. (Since he is now with the Lord, he knows the truth of the matter!) What we shall seek to do in this paper is to consider the claims he made and to determine whether or not they do, in fact, accurately represent what God has said.

In order to accomplish that, it will be necessary to look at the broader teaching of the Scriptures on miracles, and at what God has to say about human suffering. In addition, we shall need to concern ourselves with the subject of biblical interpretation. Just how we are to determine the meaning of a passage is extremely relevant to our analysis of Bosworth’s work.

The use of Mr. Bosworth’s book does not reflect any kind of vendetta against him personally. What he has written provides a reasonably clear and comprehensive exposition of the viewpoint he represents, and it therefore makes a helpful base from which to work. Further, he does seem to have thrown down the gauntlet to those who differ. He states:

Nearly all who have spoken and written against us have not hesitated to use our name… but they have never attempted to answer the scriptural arguments that we have presented.

Christ the Healer (p. 191)

If the author is correct, then a thoughtful and biblical response is long past due. I trust that the following will suit the need.