Charles Fox Parham

Charles Fox Parham (4 June 1873 - c. 29 January 1929^[2]) was a controversial American preacher who is considered by many to be the "founder of modern Pentecostalism."^[3] It is clear from history that both the Azusa Street revival and the pentecostal revival that spread from Zion City (now called Zion), Illinois, grew from Parham's ministry and teachings. While there were initially favorable press reports in some of the areas, the large main line churches were not pleased with his ministry and did what they could to discourage furtherance of his teachings, and some of the press reports became more negative as his ministry approached its peak in in 1906 and 1907. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Pentecostal can...

In July 1907, the San Antonio, Texas, papers reported that Parham was detained on morals charges.^[1] Those charges were never pursued, proven, or taken to trial. Given the hostile environment present in some of the areas, and how morals charges were viewed at the time, the environment was present for convicting if any evidence existed. Since nothing ever went to trial, the validity of the allegations must be seriously questioned, and Parham's wife's later claim that it was "all spite work" could well be the case. Despite this, given the moral climate of the time, even allegations of issues like this were enough to ruin a minister's reputation. Rather than battle in this environment Parham withdrew to his prior home area of Baxter Springs, Kansas, where he continued to minister to a small congregation he had previously started there, and ministered outside his local church on a much smaller scale, until his death over 20 years later.^[2]

By current standards, Parham has also been accused of racism. This may be an overstatement of the situation, given when Parham was at the height of his ministry (the very early 1900's), and his primary operating area (the southern states, where terminology and concepts of what was appropriate behavior were different than what is now acceptable). While Parham's writings confirm that he was against mixed marriages and felt that there should be a separation of the races in religious services, it is doubtful whether a strong racist of the period in Texas (where Seymour attended Parham's classes), or even Kansas (where Parham's initial ministry was located) would have allowed Seymour to attend his bible classes, as Parham did. Manifestations Slavery Racial profiling Lynching Hate speech Hate crime Genocide (examples) Ethnocide Ethnic cleansing Pogrom Race war Religious persecution Gay bashing Blood libel Paternalism Police brutality Movements Policies Discriminatory Race / Religion / Sex segregation Apartheid Redlining Internment Anti-discriminatory Emancipation Civil rights Desegregation Integration Equal opportunity Counter-discriminatory Affirmative action Racial...

Bio

Life and Career

Born in Muscatine, Iowa, on 4 June 1873, Parham began coordinating independent services at the age of 15, and in his early adult life had already made a name for himself. He was affiliated with the Methodist and Holiness movements. Parham disagreed with the hierarchy of the Methodist church, and later, would alienate his followers, too, by declaring their worship style invalid. In 1895, he broke with the mainstream Methodist denomination and established his own ministry. In 1898, he moved his ministry to Topeka, Kansas. Sunrise over the Mississippi River in Muscatine Muscatine is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. ... is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Holiness movement is composed of people who believe and propagate the belief that the carnal nature of man can be cleansed through faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit if one has had his sins forgiven through faith in Jesus. ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... This article is about the state capital of Kansas. ...

He married the daughter of a Quaker, Sarah Thistlewaite. Two possible dates are given for their marriage in the biography "The Life of Charles F. Parham", written primarily by his wife, and published in 1930. According to chapter V (written by his wife), they "were married, December 31, 1896; the Friend's Ministers, Jonathan Ballard and his wife had charge of the service at my grandfather's home." Since this was his wife's account, it appears to be the most likely date, and it would have made Parham 23 years old when they married. The other date, given at the end of the book (quoting a newspaper article, which may have been a typographical error, since his wife should have known the year), says their marriage was solemnized December 31, 1985. While earlier dates have been given by some, dates earlier than the two given in the biography would not fit with other details related by Mrs. Parham in the book. For example, she says they first met at a Parham revival when Parham was 19 years old, and they did not have a short engagement. The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, or Friends, is a religious community founded in England in the 17th century. ...

Ministry

While preaching at a New Years Eve service (1901) at Bethel Bible School in Topeka, Agnes Ozman began to speak in what they referred to as "in tongues". Some alleged that she was the first person to do so since the event of Pentecost in the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles, however there are hundreds of other recorded instances including St. Francis of Asissi, Martin Luther, Saint Augustine, and others starting around 1800. The difference between the tongues that came under Parham's ministry, and what had happend previously (as pointed out by some of the articles), was that here the speaking in tongues came as a direct result of a specific teaching on the subject. The low profile of the other instances, plus the press coverage and the controversy in the papers, apparently caused people to think it was the first time since the day of pentecost. This article is about the state capital of Kansas. ... Agnes Ozman (1870-1937) was a female student at Charles Fox Parhams Bethel Bible School in Topeka, Kansas. ... Tongues redirects here. ... The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th century illuminated manuscript. ... This article is about the Christian scriptures. ... For the literature genre, see Acts of the Apostles (genre). ...

Whether speaking in tongues was revived through Parham's ministry, or whether it simply gained momentum through it, most in the Pentecostal movement would point to him as being a key person in the early days of the movement. William Semour, the initial preacher at Azusa street, attended Parham's bible college, and went out from there to Los Angeles, bringing Parham's teachings with him. And when Semour was in Los Angeles and the Azusa Street revival was beginning, a request came for Parham to go to Zion City to hold some meetings. He responded, held meetings there, and as a result many in Zion City, including FF Bosworth and John G. Lake, had pentecostal experiences. From there, possibly to as great an extent as from Los Angeles, pentecost spread around the world.

Death

As a boy, Parham had contracted a severe rheumatic fever which damaged his heart and contributed to his poor health. At one time he almost died. In his mid-50s, it seems, Parham's health was fast crumbling. He collapsed while on a trip to Temple, Texas. Charles Fox Parham died on 29 January 1929 in the confines of his home in Baxter Springs, Kansas.^[3] Temple is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. ... is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Baxter Springs is a city located in Cherokee County, Kansas. ...

Controversy

Allegations of Racism

While some of Parham's comments were typical of those who grew up in, or operated in, the racial segregation of the south at the time, he did allow William J. Seymour, a Black minister, to attend his bible school in Texas (something many from the south of his era would have been reluctant to do). Because of the race laws in Texas at the time, Seymour had to sit in an adjacent classroom or in the hall, but special allowance was made for him to attend. Seymour became influential in the movement and (although he was Black) was a colleague of Parham's who took the doctrine of tongues to Los Angeles, where the crucial Azusa Street Revival would take place in 1906. In late 1906 Parham visited Seymour in Los Angeles, at Seymour's request, to try to help control the emotionalism and other problems which were occurring. While there, Parham apparently denounced parts of the revival as being like a "darky camp meeting." Coming from the south, Parham did not feel it was appropriate to have intermingling of blacks and whites in the services and did not believe in inter-racial marriages. It does not appear his zeal for the gospel overcame these barriers. William Joseph Seymour (May 2, 1870 - September 28, 1922) was an African American minister, and an initiator of the Pentecostal religious movement. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... The Azusa Street Revival was a Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. ...

While Parham believed in "manifestations of the Spirit", he was against the excesses and what he called the "manifestations of the flesh" in Los Angeles, which Parham said made "God is sick at His stomach!" While his comments may not be polically correct in today's racially sensitive environment, it appears his comments were aimed at the actions he observed (which Seymour had recognized were a problem and had asked him to come and help deal with) rather than the people or specific races involved.^[4]

Another belief relating to Parham's racial attitudes is the allegation that he was a Klansman. While some internet articles claim there are written records confirming that Parham became a full member of the Ku Klux Klan during 1910,^[5], the source and validity of the documents themselves is not provided, and this is hotly debated by supporters of Parham. Parham's supporters contend the KKK didn't even exist at this time (even Wikipedia article on the KKK says the Klan did not start until 1915).^[6] Whether Parham was or was not a member, by 1910 Parham had already been isolated by most of pentecostalism and was already back with his local church at Baxter Springs, Kansas, an area where integration was not well accepted at the time and which still has a low non-white population. Given the small town environment, involvement in local activities may have been more of a result of his isolation and and upbringing than a belief in their values. Members of the second Ku Klux Klan at a rally during the 1920s. ... Year 1910 (MCMX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Freemasonry

Many believe Parham was almost certainly a member of the Freemasons at some time in his life.^[7] If he was, there is a question as to the timing, the extent of his involvement, and whether his involvement was before or after his isolation from the rest of the pentecostal movement. Lower level involvement in smaller communities can be more of a social involvement than a belief in or an understanding of their principles. There is no direct evidence of Parham's involvement in the biography his wife wrote about his life in 1930, or in the books he wrote. Because many in the Pentecostal movement oppose the Freemasons so bitterly, some have said that he left the organization when he started his "Full Gospel" ministry. What is clear is that, at the peak of his ministry (between 1900 and mid-1907) he had little time for involvement in any organizations. His bible school and his preaching were an all consuming task. Some feel there is evidence that Parham was still a member of the Freemasons in 1928 (they feel he "appeared to still have Masonic tendencies"), but source documents for this are not quoted. If Parham was involved in Freemasonry, the ultimate question is what the level of his involvement was, when he was involved, and if there are any indications of these beliefs in his ministry, especially during his active time in the development of the early penteostal movement (up to the time of his separation in 1907). American Square & Compasses Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternal organization. ... The Full Gospel movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and in that God wills for his children to be prosperous in all areas of their lives: Spiritual - John 3:3,11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10. ...

Morals Questioned

In July 1907, local San Antonio, Texas, newpapers reported that Parham was detained on "morals charges".^[8] Another article gives more specifics and says that Parham was "charged with sodomy of young males" (it is a recent article and does not list its references, so it is possible there may have only been allegations rather than charges). The same article says that Parham "vigorously denied the charges".^[9] Some feel that the charges did not go forward because nobody was willing to come forward and testify. It is more likely that there was no evidence against him and Parham was believed in his denial, and that the allegations were part of the resistance that was coming from some of the churches. Parham's wife, in her 1930 biography on Parham, page 198, said that the city attorney told Parham that he would not "even call the case to trial for he 'was satisfied it was all spite work'". She also says that she was with her husband "at the date set in the indictment, but the case was never called, the prosecuting attorney declaring that there was absolutely no evidence which merited any legal recognition". François Elluin, Sodomites provoking the wrath of God, from Le pot pourri de Loth (1781). ...

What is clear is that the situation never made it any further, and under the law there should be a presumption of innocence proven guilty. Still, his reputation had been scarred and his religious influence was lowered by this event. After these allegations, Parham no longer had the same major active influence in the development of the pentecostal movement which he previously had. He withdrew his base of operation to his prior home area at Baxter Springs, Kansas, and the church he had previously started there. The 1930 biography on Parham shows Parham continued to have services away from his local church, including ones in Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Michigan, and he still had "thousands of friends around the country". Yet his later ministry did not have the same effect on history as his earlier ministry.

Legacy

The Charles F. Parham Center for Pentecostal-Charismatic Studies is an "independent research facility" on the campus of South Texas Bible Institute in Houston, Texas. It is one of several organizations to consider Parham a founding leader of the Pentecostal movement.^[10]

Parham's main teaching was Holy Ghost's baptism and it's evidence of speaking in tongues; biblical teaching that was ignored in past times.

References

Notes

Works

• A Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Baxter Springs, KS: Apostolic Faith Bible College, 1902)
• The Everlasting Gospel (Baxter Springs, KS: Apostolic Faith Bible College, 1911)
• Selected Sermons of the Late Charles F. Parham, ed Sarah E. Parham (Baxter Springs, KS: Apostolic Faith Bible College, 1941)
• The Life of Charles F. Parham, Founder of the Apostolic Faith Movement, by Sarah E. Parham (Baxter Springs, KS: Apostolic Faith Bible College, 1930)

NOTE: even though these books are difficult to locate through standard book stores, all of these books are still stocked and sold by The Apostolic Faith Bible College, 335 West 10th Street, Baxter Springs, Kansas 66713, ph (620)856-5281.

External links

• Official Website of the Ministry That Charles Parham Started (Apostolic Faith Bible College - Baxter Springs, Kansas)
• The Assemblies of God
• Apostolic Faith Church