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.

This book offers an honest look at the life of Kathryn Kuhlman. I found it to be truthful. While it does offer the truth, it is NOT filled with the tabloid hype that many of the books written about her seem to be filled with. Miss Kuhlman comes across as a very caring woman who only wants to minister to those who are ill. I know several people who worked for her and they said the same thing - she would cry and ask God why some were healed and others not. She often blamed herself - did she not pray enough, was her life not what God wanted, was it her fault. I also came to understand why she had her "team" surrounding her while she ministered to those who were ill. So many people felt that if they could just "touch" her, God would heal them. She said it over and over again, that SHE was not the healer - THAT ONLY GOD CAN HEAL, so she tried to keep people from touching her for that reason. She wanted people to look to God for their healing = NOT TO KATHRYN KUHLMAN. A VERY GOOD READ.

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 ‭NASB‬‬ As 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.

I enjoyed learning about Kathryn Kuhlman and her life. There is so much here to learn from. Learning to surrender and walk as one with the Holy Spirit is never easy, but this book conveys how one person attempted and succeeded at some level to do this. I love how the author told the whole story. The good, the bad and the ugly. I also like the fact that he made sure to point out on several occasions that Kathryn gave God the glory. Great Book. I would highly recommend it.

People are still talking about the miracles that occurred at her rallies. Hundreds of them were reviewed by doctors and have no explanation. I think she was the only faith healer that has never been exposed as a fraud. I went to several of her rallies in the 1970s and I cannot explain what I saw and experienced myself. I saw many healings and experienced being 'slain in the Spirit' as the book describes. This book tells the truth about Kuhlman, the author knew her well. He does not leave out anything and he tells her story including her divorce and the lawsuits with Dino. Because the author is a believer he raises the questions a believer would ask and Kuhlman and some of the odd things about her spiritual life and her love of clothes and jewelry. Her prayer life in the last few years of her life was not what one would have expected. She was not a prayer warrior but was always in a state of prayer. Obviously she did so many services that he was hours in prayer at those. From the book can see that she was a vessel God used, a servant of the Holy Spirit; just as it should have been. She was exhausted in service to God at the end and her body just wore out. I recommend this book to anyone who wanted to learn about her, especially from a Christian standpoint. I wonder if miracles like we saw 40 years ago will ever happen again.

Heard she got kicked out of seminary for being to charismatic aka spirit-filled. The Lord raised up a holy saint in an hour of sexism in America. Her friend could have done a better job honoring her legacy, despite a married man leaving his wife for her, only for it to fall out from great scrutiny. K Kuhlman had a hard life despite the glamour and fame. The Lord surely uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. May He do it again — please forgive America and please set the captives free, with another major revival in this hour of great evil.

Wonderful book about the true story of a woman who's life was taken over by service to Almighty God through which he accomplished supernatural healings. The book shows how God can use a faulty, ordinary person to show His glory and power. It demonstrates his power in one person's life, having given her the gift of healing, and how he can use that life to do a very great work. Very well written, keeping my attention throughout. In wanting to know more about supernatural healing, this gave me a sense of understanding that this subject is timeless, that God has always healed people supernaturally, even in recent past times, and in huge numbers such as described in this book. The multitude of witnesses to such are indeed proof positive.

Enjoyed reading this book again after many years. An honest and forthright writing that reveals both the delight and demand of public ministry. A 'must-read' for those who want a better understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit, and the manner in which He operates in humanity.

Excellent

I absolutely love this book, so much to learn, to digest & i loved Kathryn Kuhlmann as well❤️

En mi opinión, el autor hizo un excelente trabajo biográfico. Gracias a que fue escrito por alguien muy cercano a Kathryn Kuhlman el libro proporciona información valiosa. Buckingham combina el uso de diversas fuentes (periódicos, memorias, entrevistas y sus propios recuerdos) para construir un relato lo suficientemente bueno como para hacerte leer el libro completo en tan sólo un fin de semana (si no tienes nada que hacer, por supuesto). Me agradó que el autor reflejara la cercanía/amistad que tuvo con Kuhlman sin por ello dejar de ser objetivo o crítico durante el relato. ¡Lo recomiendo ampliamente!

Love it!