Daughter of Destiny: Kathryn Kuhlman

Kathryn Kuhlman is certainly one of the most famous evangelists of the 20th century. Her legacy will always be her "miracle" services, which she held primarily in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles (however, she also held services in many other major US cities, as well as overseas).I purchased this book because I am deeply intrigued by Miss Kuhlman's life, especially how she became a woman evangelist (a rarity for the mid-20th century), and of course to read about the various healing miracles that took place throughout her long ministry. This book, written by Jamie Buckingham, a friend and associate of Miss Kuhlman, is an excellent resource in telling the extremely interesting story of Kathryn Kuhlman's life. The book is an authorized biography (Miss Kuhlman approved the writing of this book by Mr. Buckingham). I read the book over three days, and literally could not wait to pick it up between sessions - it was that good. It is so compelling because it tells the extraordinary life-story of a bold, charismatic 16 year old, who in 1921 felt the touch of God and was then compelled to preach. Buckingham seamless takes us from the very beginnings to the apex of Miss Kuhlman's fame in 1974, when she was known far and wide as a "faith healer". Despite being used of God in an extraordinary way, Buckingham does not make her out to be a saint; no, rather a very human Kathryn Kuhlman is presented, warts and all.Kathryn Kuhlman was born is the tiny town of Concordia, Missouri, in 1907. She adored her easy-going father, who lavished her with gifts and attention, but did not get the love and approval she so desperately desired from her mother. Her desire to win the approval (and affection) of her mother became a life-long pursuit. Miss Kuhlman was "born-again" at the tender age of 14, and struck out west with her sister and brother-in-law (an evangelist) to begin preaching herself. She believed she was divinely chosen to preach the word of God to the unsaved, and with her compassion for lost souls, her radiant smile, and her endless energy and enthusiasm, she became quite popular. Once her name and fame began to spread, she regularly filled every seat whereever she preached.Her ministry almost ended when in 1938 she married Burroughs A. Waltrip, an evangelist from Dallas, Texas. He was a charismatic minister, several years older than she was, and there was an immediate mutual attraction. However, there was one major problem, he was married and had two sons. Eager to marry Kuhlman, Waltrip divorced his wife and moved to Iowa, where started a ministry, and proceeded to tell everyone he was single. Shortly thereafter, and against the wishes of all of her friends and associates, Kuhlman left Denver, Colorado, where she had a highly successful, robust ministry, to marry Waltrip. It was the biggest mistake of her life. In the course of several years, word broke that Mr. Waltrip had left his wife and children for Kuhlman. Having maintained that he was single, a story backed up by Kuhlman as well, their lie was a blow that destroyed both their ministries. Kuhlman separated from Waltrip in 1944 and they eventually divorced. She would never be romantically linked to anyone thereafter.Kuhlman restarted her evangelistic ministry, this time in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Once again, she began small, but soon became extremely popular due to her famboyant speaking style, her boundless enthusiasm, and the anointment of the Holy Spirit. In 1947, a person in the crowd reported she had been healed of a tumor while listening to Kuhlman preach, and soon her message changed from being born-again to include an emphasis on divine healing through the Holy Spirit. So many healings subsequently took place that she became primarily known as a "faith healer", although she insisted throughout her life that she was only God's "handmaiden", a simple vessel for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit's healing power.Kuhlman's miracle services were so popular, literally thousands were turned away from the door. When she began holding services in Los Angeles, the crowds were so large that people began to line up at the door many hours before to ensure entry into the building. Her success compounded and she began a half-hour tv progam on CBS, "I Believe in Miracles". Kuhlman insisted that the healing miracles be substantiated by medical doctors and by family memebers. When people claimed healings in her services, they were led on-stage to tell what miracle had occured, and a medical doctor usually verified the healing on the spot. Miss Kuhlman freely admitted she did not know how the healings took place, or why some people were healed, while many others were not. She only knew that she was blessed with a special gift of the Holy Spirit that descended upon her through intense prayer before each and every miracle service. She refused to begin the healing portion of her service until she felt the power of the Holy Spirit. Once the Spirit descended, Miss Kuhlman would call out healings and point to the section of the audience where the healing was taking place. She then encouraged that person to claim his/her healing by standing up and praising God for his mercy. They would then come forward to testify about their healing and give God the glory. Miss Kuhlman would lay her hands on them, and virtually all would swoon to the floor in an apparent faint. Miss Kuhlman called it being "slain in the spirit".Kuhlman's popularity brought both adoration and critical response. Those who attended her miracle services insisted that they could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the air, and were witnesses to the divine healing of thousands upon thousands of people. Those who were healed insisted the miracles were real. Several books were written documenting such miracles. Critics of Miss Kuhlman and her methods were many, even including ministers in organized religion who did not take kindly to the notion of a woman holding "healing" services and leading people astray with a "false gospel message". Critcs claimed the healings were nothing more than intense hypnotic suggestion stirred up into a peak by Miss Kuhlman's dramatic preaching. Dr. William Nolen MD, interviewed about 25 people who claimed to be healed at Kuhlman's services, and found none of them were actually healed. He wrote a book "exposing" Kuhlman as a well-meaning, but ineffectual healer. HEALING, A Doctor in Search of a Miracle. Critics of Nolen insist that he only sampled a tiny fraction of the thousands that were healed (many with their own doctor's testimony), and his conclusions about Miss Kuhlman are wrong.Kuhlman's success brought demands to preach from all over the globe, and despite having an enlarged heart, she pressed herself to the breaking point. In 1976, she underwent a 5-hour procedure to repair a damaged mitral valve in her heart. Although the procedure was pronounced a success by the doctors, Kuhlman continued to decline in health, and subsequently died in February, 1976, at the relatively young age of 68. According to close associates and friends, she had given so much of herself to her ministry and others, that she literally had nothing left within at the time of her death.If you are like me, this book will only wet your appetite for more information on the fascinating Kathryn Kuhlman and the miracles associated with her ministry. Additional reading can be found as follows: Nothing Is Impossible With God, God Can Do It Again, and Glimpse Into Glory. These books tell of the many miracles that took place at Miss Kuhlman's healing services. They are well worth reading.konedog

I read about Daughter of Destiny on the Internet while looking up some information on Kathryn Kuhlman. Kuhlman asked Jamie Buckingham to write her biography because she knew he would write the truth. I'm sure after some of her experiences Kuhlman also realized Buckingham would show her flaws but keep her belief in the power of the Holy Trinity at the forefront of her story. Daughter of Destiny shows Kuhlman as a flawed passionate one-of-a-kind work of art for God. Yes, she was a consummate showman but a showman for God. This was one of the most inspirational books I have read lately. All through her dark days, struggles, and waning days Kuhlman never gave up. Having said that it's not a it's all fluffy clouds, rainbows and unicorns book trying to cast Kuhlman as a plaster saint and from what Buckingham writes she would have objected to such a book.I used to watch Kuhlman's television programs with my Mom but never knew much about her. This woman like an apparition on fire would preach on the stage. Her voice was so distinctive you never forgot it once you heard it. I'm glad this book has brought her back to me in a much more meaningful way. Not that I know what she struggled through I admire her even more as she shows us we don't have to be perfect just committed.I have read some posts on the Internet claiming they feel she wore wires under her flowing dresses that shocked people or used hypnotism. I doubt this as she wouldn't have had to work so hard to bring the presence of the Holy Spirit in her waning days if she were using such devices. She also wasn't always touching the person as they were "slain" or healed by the Holy Spirit. I think her imitators have cast a shadow on her ministry and sincerity. Some also wonder why she wasn't healed and died of heart failure. Kuhlman herself never knew why some people were healed and some were not. She apparently agonized that not all who came were healed and prayed one day she could witness a healing like those brought by Jesus where all who came would be healed. Maybe it was just time to be called home and her failing heart was simply showing she had given all she had. I should also point out that she never claimed to be a faith healer and never sought to be one.I am doubly blessed my used yellowing mass paperback copy apparently came from the library of reverend into my hands. I can definitely recommend this book as even if you aren't a believer you can simply read it as a great book on the power of belief and what can be accomplished if you simply keep on going.

Kathryn was one of the most humble and Spirit-filled individuals of her time. This is a must read for those who wish to further acquaint themselves with this marvelous woman of God.

The life of Ms. Kuhlman serves as a reminder to the body of Christ on at least two counts.One, that God gives gifts by His choosing (1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:11‬) and we cannot twist His arm any other way despite the fact that we try so hard to win Him over by our works or our judgments against one another.Second, though we are loved and favored immeasurably, though we walk according to the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the flesh, we still walk this earth in a fallen vessel and must be on our guard against the enemy who tempts us. “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."” Mark‬ ‭14:38‬ ‭NASB‬‬As the author notes, God reveals the good choices and the bad ones of those He has called (David, Peter, etc) - but not to give opportunity for judgment. Rather, that we would see again the greatness of His love towards us and allow that love to overflow to others.I highly recommend this candid book of the life of Ms. Kuhlman. It is well written and enjoyable to read. It leaves one examining his own heart before God while basking in His loving embrace.