Researching Church History
ORCID Profile: orcid.org/0000-0002-2684-4637
I am an independent scholar of Church History. As a researcher, I study individual life histories that are linked to Pentecostalism. Specifically, I focus on the biographies of leaders and pioneers in Pentecostal movements, especially those originating in the United States. One of the reasons for this focus is the belief that individual life stories are perennial object lessons for life as we know it. The individual stories, I believe, offer insight into life experiences by revealing struggles and shedding light on both our spiritual and physical existence in the present and future.
I am an independent scholar of Church History. As a researcher, I study individual life histories that are linked to Pentecostalism. Specifically, I focus on the biographies of leaders and pioneers in Pentecostal movements, especially those originating in the United States. One of the reasons for this focus is the belief that individual life stories are perennial object lessons for life as we know it. The individual stories, I believe, offer insight into life experiences by revealing struggles and shedding light on both our spiritual and physical existence in the present and future.
My original contribution |
My doctoral thesis focused on the life history of F.F. Bosworth, the author of Christ the Healer. In an effort to understand his development as a famous healing evangelist, I analyzed his life using Social Cognitive Career Theory. My research culminated in the first critical and comprehensive research on his entire life history. It also was the first to use SCCT across disciplines to examine the life of a religious person in history.
Bosworth’s impact on both Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal church groups is unmistakable, and it appears to be lasting as his influence can be seen today in scores of churches and various ministries in the United States and abroad. His book, Christ the Healer, is a classic with global notoriety. Although a number of scholars have begun studying his work, there is room for more research on both his life and his theology, including his influence on prominent church leaders and institutions. My current projects My current research projects include two books on Bosworth. One is biographical and will be presented as an objective narrative. The other title, which may be called a “Bosworth Reader,” will offer a collection of writings about Bosworth. This collection will be organized according to selected themes regarding his life, ministry, and his theology. The book will consist of essays, sermons, articles, news reports, etc. I am also working on two articles about the healing evangelist. The first article will analyze the scope of his influence on the ministry of T.L. Osborn with particular emphasis given to divine healing and the issue of evidential tongues and Spirit baptism. The second article will examine the similarity in the writings of Bosworth and Kenneth E. Hagin. Hagin has been accused of plagiarizing E.W. Kenyon. I have reason to believe Hagin also may have plagiarized Bosworth. |
Bosworth and Hemingway |
Bosworth matters
My work on Bosworth will continue for the unforeseeable future because of the significant role he played in faith healing, evangelism, church planting, and missions in the 20th century. When I consider the growth of Pentecostal churches today and the prominent use of faith healing in evangelism, I am convinced that Bosworth matters. When I see the popularity of leaders in the Word of Faith movement, I see traces of Bosworth’s influence. When I read about massive healing crusades in Africa and other nations outside the United States, I am reminded of the importance of Bosworth’s contributions. Researching Hemingway While Bosworth and religious topics are my primary areas of research, my interest in life histories has also prompted me to study people outside the religious field, especially those in the literary field. For example, I am presently doing research on Ernest Hemingway, my favorite author in whom I’ve had an interest since the early 1980s. I am currently writing a conference paper based on his collection of short stories. At the same time, I am planning a paper in which I investigate his use of nature and certain sports as the overriding theme in some of his later works. Organizations I am a member of the following academic and professional organizations: * Society for Pentecostals Studies * COGIC Scholars Fellowship * The Hemingway Society * American Correctional Chaplains Association * Mississippi Chaplains Association * American Correctional Association |
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