Agnes Sanford and Her Companions: The Assault on Cessationism and the Coming of the Charismatic Renewal
Overview
Agnes Sanford and Her Companions examines the theology of one of the pioneers of the modern inner healing movement. Largely unknown today, Agnes and her husband developed a school to teach ministers and lay leaders healing and deliverance prayer, and the gifts of the Spirit a decade before the charismatic renewal made such things acceptable in mainline churches.
Arguably one of the most original and spiritually fruitful theologians of the twentieth century, she is credited with the discovery and development of the inner healing ministry, the development of a theology of the light of God (missing in Western theology), and the first ever theology of “nature prayers”—as in stilling storms. This work examines her career and shows why her theology, though deeply biblical, was unacceptable to “orthodox” critics.
Key Features
- Explore the theology of a pioneer in the Charismatic movement
- Discover the roots of inner healing
- Gain a greater understanding of the gaps between cessationist and charismatic theology
Contents
- The Early Church; With the Spirit but without a Full Bible
- Orthodoxy Heresy, and Revelation: The “Marcion Shove”
- The Augustinian Norm: The Church without the New Testament Gifts of the Spirit
- The Reformation and the Tragedy of Cessationism
- From Cessationism to Secularism
- Science as Meaning and Hope in Non-Christian Europe
- Revivals and Opposition to Revivals
- Mary Baker Eddy Gives a Marcion Shove to the Healing Ministry
- New Thought: True Heresy?
- Quantum Physics and Christian Spirituality
- Visualization as Prayer
- The Anglican Healing Revival: A Proactive Response to Christian Science
- Glenn Clark: Recovering a Hebraic Perspective on Effective Prayer
- Glenn Clark’s CFO: From Christian New Perspective to Pentecostalism
- Discerning the Path of Christian Healing
- The Healing Light: A Theology of the Energies of God
- Harry and the Healing of Memories
- Theologian to the Charismatic Renewal
- First Theologian of Nature Miracles
- Two Ministries Carry On
- Agnes Sanford as Controversial Theologian
- The Christian Healing Pioneers and the Wisdom of God
- The Villains of the Story: The Seminaries as Sanhedrin
- The Final Word: Jonathan Edwards on Agnes Sanford and Her Companions
Top Highlights
“In future centuries this ‘disciples’ authority’ would be blighted by the assumption that only those of advanced spiritual attainment, such as monks or other saintly persons, could minister healing or deliverance.” (Page 14)
“In essence, the monks inverted the Scriptures, making the normative biblical attitude toward healing the exception, and the exception, redemptive suffering, the normative. This inversion was passed on to subsequent Christian theology.” (Page 20)
“Unfortunately the early monastic movement was also captivated by the Stoic concept that pain and illness were to be accepted bravely, and without striving for healing.” (Page 19)
“While the natural theology of quantum physics suggests that observation is necessary for the world to come into being, revelation tells us who that observer is.” (Page 106)
“Mrs. Sanford came to understand that this classical form of travail prayer was dangerous, as it could lead to serious confusion, and in later years discouraged it. She considered it imperative that this prayer not be done on a non-Christian, whose spirit may contain occult or idolatrous elements. More importantly, she discovered that although this travail prayer is powerful and possible, it is not necessary. The same effect can be achieved with much less heroic effort.” (Page 212)
Praise for the Print Edition
The important role played by Agnes Sanford in the history of healing ministry is one that needs telling, and De Arteaga is well placed to tell it. . . . Anyone interested in the history of Sanford or who wants to understand how to encourage healing ministry in the life of the church will find this book a very rewarding read.
—Justyn Terry, Dean, President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity School for Ministry
This inspiring book shows how one dedicated person can, by persistence, change the mindset of an entire group of people. From healing prayer being the activity of a small group, it has now become ordinary, especially in family members praying for one another.
—Francis and Judith MacNutt, Founders of Christian Healing Ministries, Inc.
De Arteaga’s perspective on the move of God in healing for the denominations is never overshadowed by the rise of Pentecostalism in non-denominational churches alongside the Charismatic Movement. . . . De Arteaga brings honor to a great lady in Sanford.
—The Rev. Dr. Jack Sheffield, co-founder of Deep River Ministries, Director of the North American branch of the Order of St. Luke
- Title: Agnes Sanford and Her Companions: The Assault on Cessationism and the Coming of the Charismatic Renewal
- Author: William L. De Arteaga
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2015
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Pages: 344
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Sanford, Agnes Mary White; Pentecostalism; Spiritual healing
- ISBNs: 9781625649997, 9781498271929, 1625649991, 1498271928
- Resource ID: LLS:GNSSNFRDHCMPNNS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:18:07Z