The mysterious disappearance of a celebrity preacher

"Aimee Semple McPherson was one of the most glamorous women in the US in the 1920s. The evangelical preacher put on theatrical church services and used ground-breaking radio broadcasts to teach the gospel - but one mysterious episode in her life has never been fully explained."
By Naomi Grimley, BBC News.

Full story here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30148022

I don't know much about the 4 square church or Amiee Semple McPherson. Be interested to know how accurate this reporting is by those who know.

Jack Hayford is Foursquare.

A pastor friend of mine in Hawaii, (Church of God of Prophecy), testifies to their positive influence there.

I have heard of Aimee McPherson, but know little beyond that she was controversial, depending on what you read.

Personally, I read very little of their writings - these famous preachers, evangelists, theologians. I do not know the WORD good enough to justify abandoning it for contemporary religious writings. Eventually one learns how this and that person lived a life of hidden sin like immorality, greed, you name it or they have gone off the wall theologically. This always saddens me because I have had favorite writers discredited in this manner.

In the meantime I am finding much inspiration, delight in focusing on the WORD of God - approved and sanctified by the God of Heaven. This thrills me and it is without regret or disgust unlike extraneous writings.

Sandra . I applaud your wisdom in just focusing on the Word of God. The Bible is all we need. Its simple enough for anyone who is serious to understand it clearly. If more Christians were to emulate you Christianity will be in far better state than it is now. Christians and especially the Preachers imbibed too much of the trash in the markets and too little of the word. The result is the word isnt preached at all in many churches.

It would be interesting to anyone who wants to do so to research the testimony of one Milton Elithorpe who was miraculously healed of severe injuries suffered in a car crash at Angeles Temple back in the 40's.

I do not know the motive of many authors who pen theological works. Giving them the benefit of the doubt I suspect many believe they have a message to share. However, in many cases it seems as though the message does more to promote method and strategy then actually draw people closer to God, a form of legalism.

Consider the subject of "prayer". Many books and articles have been written about prayer - how to pray, its power and how one benefits. As I understand prayer this is not what prayer is. Prayer is heart communication with the LORD. It is my mind communicating, sending thoughts, questions, words of admiration heavenward and listening/waiting for a response. The answer - if questioned - is usually not immediate, but it will be forthcoming right when I need it. This is all it is and how can one write an article of 500 words, much less a book on the subject?

My opinion is that too many writers have complicated a simple subject. And right now I am stuck in the books of Joshua and Judges - very fascinating with a mind towards the Exodus. I suspect this event was far more miraculous then we perceive it.

God is beyond amazing...and let us not allow the misdeeds of preachers in the present and past distract us from this reality.

What I thought was interesting about this story from the secular media (true or distorted)is how the world views such ministries.

I know it is many years after these events, but correct doctrine, gospel truth or even healings don't get reported, but what does is the expensive homes, lifestyles, theatrics and celebrity status. One could argue that's not fair, but it is what the world sees and it judges by what is done, not what is said.

What will we be remembered for?

The character Sharon Falconer, the female healing evangelist in the novel and movie "Elmer Gantry" (played by Jean Simmons) was based on Aimee Semple McPherson.

The movie is poignant on several levels and very relevant to what we see going on today. I recommend it.

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What will we be remembered for?
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Good question.

In our day of relativism you will excite the wrath of these adherents if you stand for absolute truth. Yet, I suspect the TRUTH has always attracted the wrath of evil men because it is those the devil uses to discredit the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What will be be known for? On a bad day it will be for homophobia, intolerance... On a good day - especially after a natural disaster - people appreciate the humanitarianism extended to the victims by God's people. But this passes once life resumes a routine.

In Acts 17:5,6 is an interesting observation:

5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also...

These folks were known to have turned the world upside down...wonder what that looked like other then anger some folks?!

I just saw this.

Here is a transcript of a debate between Aimee Semple Mcpherson and Dr. Ben Bogard a prominent Baptist preacher of his time on Pentecostalism and Divine Healing in our times.

Could be of some interest to some here

http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/debates/bogard.pdf