Wednesday, January 9, 2019

BOOK REVIEW- The Miracle Lady :Kathryn Kuhlman and the Transformation of Charismatic Christianity by Amy Collier Artman


On October 15, 1974, Johnny Carson welcomed his next guest on The Tonight Show with these words: “I imagine there are very few people who are not aware of Kathryn Kuhlman. She probably, along with Billy Graham, is one of the best-known ministers or preachers in the country.” But while many people today recognize Billy Graham, not many remember Kathryn Kuhlman (1907–1976), who preached faith and miracles to countless people over the fifty-five years of her ministry and became one of the most important figures in the rise of charismatic Christianity.
In The Miracle Lady Amy Collier Artman tells the story of Kuhlman’s life and, in the process, relates the larger story of charismatic Christianity, particularly how it moved from the fringes of American society to the mainstream. Tracing her remarkable career as a media-savvy preacher and fleshing out her unconventional character, Artman also shows how Kuhlman skillfully navigated the oppressive structures, rules, and landmines that surrounded female religious leaders in her conservative circles


I found this book to be kind of dry although it did have an interesting start.  If you want a history of the charismatic religious movement then this is probably for you. I found it kind of a struggle to work through this book though.
I could also sense that just maybe this book was written by someone who was critical of Kathryn Kulhman and her motives.  Often it came through that she felt like Kathryn was an opportunistic woman, focused on position, influence and or money.  While I am sure that Kathryn was not perfect, it was kind of disturbing to see the author's view from her eyes.  Was Kathryn flamboyant?  Yes, definitely.  Was she unusual? Once again a strong yes.  Was she totally authentic?  That is between her and God. 
I will give the author credit for doing her homework when it came to featuring how "Your Faith and Mine" episodes ran. She was very detailed in her accounts.   She also included other ministries and what they ran into as they televised healing meetings. 
One particular "meeting" on TV that I enjoyed reading about was when Kathryn Kuhlman interviewed Adele Carmichael. It made me smile when it was described as two giant personalities meeting.  It made me even more interested in finding out about Adele. I had heard of many of the people and women mentioned in the book.  But she is someone I don't remember hearing about before.  
This book also featured quite a few other people and their ministries also including others that followed after her and give credit to the fact that she prepared the way for healing ministries.  Benny Hinn was one that was mentioned after Kathryn's passing.  
Still, my last words on this book would be that I found it sadly..boring. 

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley and these are  my honest opinions on it.

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