The Wigglesworth Dilemma – Part II: The Search

/ David Lee Tucker

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! – Psalm 119:2

Leap of faithThe Wigglesworth Dilemma – Definition: The apparent conflict between the behavior and Character of Christ found in the Gospels and what appears to be contrary behavior of some people in Christian healing ministry.

My search involves looking for a documented account of the infamous Smith Wigglesworth healing of a 2-year-old baby with spina bifida by throwing the boy against the wall and then kicking him like a soccer ball. Did this really happen and how could this behaviour possibly be reconciled to the Jesus I know?

Up to this point I have searched through over 15 books written about the life and ministry of Smith Wigglesworth (SW) and searched through numerous websites dedicated to keeping alive the legacy of Wigglesworth. So far I have found no documented record of this episode. These books and sites have recorded hundreds of miraculous healings – healings recorded in newspapers and through first-hand testimonies. Yet, even in what I would assume to be the most comprehensive listing of major SW miracles in the book titled, The Miracles of Smith Wigglesworth by Dr. Michael H Yeager this infamous episode is strangely absent. Why?

The closest account I found was in the book, Smith Wigglesworth: The Complete Story by Julian Wilson. On pages 126-127 it documents the following:

“According to eyewitness accounts, a child of around two years old with deformed feet was brought to the platform during a meeting to be prayed for. Wigglesworth requested that the infant be placed on the platform and then kicked the child into the audience. The child landed on its feet and ran off down the aisle.”

Hmmm? Not the same story but pretty amazing. Yet, it’s another story of SW kicking a child but not the same story of kicking an infant. Still, a reference to SW being led to kick a child as an avenue to see God’s healing power.

I’m left wondering; is this particular story of SW kicking an infant just some kind of urban legend or perhaps a conglomeration of different healing stories that people have mashed together over the years?

I Did Find This Story Documented. Where?

Of all places, the only place I could find this notorious account in writing was the one highlighted in my previous post via a posting by the BSA Louisiana State Director on the Northeast Arm-wrestling Message Board back in 2005. (What?) In the post the Director identifies that the story was “Legally Recorded” in some way. The Director is a Christian and he was sharing an article he had read about this amazing healing from the website Born-Again-Christian.org.

The only other documented account I found was a video clip from the TV program It’s Supernatural. On the show, the host Sid Roth describes the account and then the show moves on to Sid interviewing SW’s great granddaughter, Lillian de Fin, (who continues in wonderful Christian ministry). She mentions several healing accounts by her Great Grandfather but does not comment on the “kicking an infant” episode.

Digging Even Deeper

So, I went to the Born-Again-Christian.org site and found that the article was no longer there. I reached out to the editor and he was kind enough to respond with the following:

Dear David, Thank you for your note about Smith. I’ve not included that particular event on our articles, for many reasons. Smith was widely criticized by those ignorant about spiritual matters, and focusing on such an extreme example will only provide excuses to continue in that vein. It is mentioned in several books about SW, and I have no reason to doubt its veracity, but think it unwise to highlight it in your writing. Colin Melbourne English missionary in Asia

Hmmm? While this response caused me to pause and reconsider the “mission” I’ve set upon, I sensed God prodding me to press on and to “Keep Digging”

Regarding the Sid Roth program, I’ve looked up the several interviews I could find on line with Lillian de Fin and while she recounts many miraculous stories of healing by her Great Grandfather, she does not reference this particular account. I tried searching to contact her but failed to find a point of contact. (As you will see, I obviously didn’t look hard enough)

Is it just a myth or did it really happen? What I take from this additional information is there is a credible source who believes the story to be true as recorded in several books that I have failed to find. The indication, though, is that it seems an effort has been made to try and wipe it clean from the records by those trying to protect the Smith Wigglesworth legacy. (If that is true, I find it interesting how some things we try to hide, will likely only grow in their notoriety)

Still I wondered: Is that right? If Smith Wigglesworth was a true mighty man of God and the miracles were of God working through him, is it right to not fully glorify the works of God just because they are uncomfortable or not easily understood?

What Is Recorded of Smith’s “Violent” Behavior?

bustin chopsIn fact, while there are several recorded accounts and acknowledgements of SW’s occasional healing practice involving slapping, punching, or kicking, the occurrences recorded seem rare. The indication is also that these were not acts of extreme violence. The slap, punch or kick were startling but not actually ‘heavy handed’ or forceful.

When asked about this behavior, Wigglesworth would answer, “It’s not my fault that you got in the way of the devil.” SW’s claim was that God told him to get physical with some of the infirmed who came to him. The physical acts were aimed at the spiritual enemy at the core of the illness. In other words, he was exerting anger towards the demons at the source of the damage and not to the person. The claim has been repeated that no one was ever hurt by his actions but only healed. However, based on my requirements for confirming a word from God, what can I possibly conclude?

Reconciling Smith Wigglesworth’s violent actions with The Character of Christ

Let me reiterate that this is my journey of discovery that I am sharing. I will admit at this point that my hope/desire is to seek answers to come to grips with SW’s actions. As I have learned, his life as a Christ-Follower and an example as an imitator of Christ was too significant and his ministry too powerful to cast aside because of a few episodes where my sensibilities make me turn off my ability to seek after God in a deeper way. Christ challenges us to be seekers. He beckons us to “seek first the kingdom” and to “seek and you shall find.”

Seeking Answers:

What can soften the “blow” of Wigglesworth’s actions? Is there any basis for God working through Smith Wigglesworth using violent acts?

I came up with these 5 questions as I sought God’s wisdom on the matter:

  1. Has God Used His People through Violent Means Before?
  2. Does God choose to use imperfect/flawed human beings?
  3. Can God use violent acts to bring Himself glory and to win people to Christ?
  4. How/why might God use a man’s violent temper for His purpose?
  5. Jesus was never violent but did He ever act out of anger or inappropriately?

Next Week:The Wigglesworth Dilemma – Part III: Answers

Because of the continued interest in the ministry of Smith Wigglesworth, I have combined the posts with additional material into a book. Feel free to enjoy the posts or purchase the new book on Amazon.

19 thoughts on “The Wigglesworth Dilemma – Part II: The Search”

    • yes jesus used moses to bring plagues to egypt and to kill the first born son of Pharaoh also the bible does say god”hardened his heart(pharaoh)so moses and pharaoh can ansewr thoes 5 questions also though he did not cause it he allowed job to suffer to prove he would not betray him

      Like

      Reply

      • From my studying, God didn’t actually harden Pharoah’s heart. At that time, the Jewish people didn’t know about the devil (or at least understand him), so they attributed everything to God in some way. So, Pharoah actually hardened his own heart toward the Israelites and God, but the only way the writer knew how to explain it was that God hardened his heart…

        Like

        Reply

  2. Thanks. Great comment. Though, occasionally it involved a little bit more than that.
    Keep in mind that Jesus only did what the father showed him to do.
    I’ll be exploring more and hope you stay with me on this journey. Dave

    Like

    Reply

    • I find that its written-” Jesus spat on the dust , made mud. And put it on the man’s eyes.. ( doesn’t say eye lids)

      In an Eastern culture. I doubt that was done in any dainty manner. We just read it that way due to our tender western sensibilities. More then likely here was nothing dainty about it. He rubbed mud made from his spit into the guys eyeballs.

      I mean can you imagine rubbing mud made from your spit being done today . ? Media would be in outrage.

      Like

      Reply

      • Thanks for your comment MSF. Despite how many believe Jesus behaved in some Gospel episodes, I believe He was always true to His character and perfectly bore the Fruit of the Spirit. The question is: Can you bear the Fruit of the Spirit and still get physical? I believe so. I explore this in my EPISODIC STUDY OF THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST SERIES starting with book 1, EMPTIED found on Amazon. We are made perfect/complete by His perfection.

        Like

        Reply

      • Do your research before posting….it was a common practice among Jewish healers but rarely worked. Jesus showed himself a true rabbai in this act

        Like

        Reply

        • Thanks for reading my blog. I try to do my research but did not catch this specific practice. Sounds plausible that Jesus would practice in the same way but demonstrate God’s true healing through Him. I like that. It makes some sense as to why God the father would instruct Jesus that way. It may still highlight my point that if others had tried to heal in this way and failed, it would be embarrassing to the blind man. For Jesus to do it again would have at first been humiliating until the true miracle was revealed. Using saliva was common for healing but being spat upon was degrading. Jesus, himself, was an example of being spat upon to be humiliated. My point is that healing then and now does not always come in a neatly, well-understood package. Blessings

          Like

  3. I’m a pro life Christian. God does not will for pastors to violently attack people…let alone babies! How vile a thing did this man do! He took the Lord’s name in vain big time. Kicking a child. throwing a baby. And all of this is supposed to be what God wanted to do? Not a chance. Unless Wigglesworth totally repented, and we have no documented evidence of it, the darkest corner of hell has been reserved for him. He taught SEVERAL false doctrines and the fact is that God would not confirm his message with genuine signs or wonders. Instead, Jesus warned us several times about men like Wigglesworth who would come to deceive.

    Like

    Reply

    • And the reason why Wigglesworth did all of his showmanship (yelling, kicking, punching) is to distract from the fact that he could actually heal anyone. Why didn’t he heal his wife or daughter when they were sick and dying? He was deceived and a deceiver of others.

      Like

      Reply

  4. Thank you for being willing to explore this subject. You are not alone in your anger and upset with Wigglesworth’s ministry. However, if you read Part III I believe he was misrepresented in many ways.
    Not sure what teaching of Jesus you are referring to that would be against His ministry that led many thousands to Christ and documented many healings. Even Jesus was unable to heal people from His hometown. I find it humbling to see God work in ways that I don’t understand and can’t imagine ever doing. I’m not sure I’d ever put saliva on my finger and stick it someones ear to heal the deaf. But, that’s what jesus did. I prefer a simple word and a touch myself.

    Like

    Reply

    • John 5:19 “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” We need to do what the Holy Spirit guides us into, whether we feel ‘comfortable’ with it or not, and often stepping out in faith requires that of us. Your statement that ‘Jesus was unable to heal people in His hometown is false. Mark 6;13 “except lay hands on a few sickly people and heal them.” He chose not to do many mighty works, because they were offended, hard-hearted and no matter what he did, He would not receive any honor in there His hometown. He clearly had the power as he healed the sick people. It’s like, when a person says “I couldn’t live like that!” They can, but they just prefer and choose not to. I hope that helps!

      Like

      Reply

      • Thanks for your comments. You got me. You are right that in Mark 6:5 the full verse says, “Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.” So He did heal some. Why was He limited? I’d say most Christians would agree with you. You very well might be right. I am not a Bible scholar but what I see in the original Greek looks as if It is saying that, Jesus on earth, at that moment as Son of Man/Son of God, had “the ability to do nothing” or was “unable or powerless” to do the mighty works He was normally able to do. Why is that or how does that work? Jesus seems to attribute it to their unbelief and lack of honor but He healed others who had no faith or honor. Ultimately, I don’t know for certain. I explore this in more detail in my blog post “Doubting Jesus” from JULY 3, 2018. Be blessed and Keep seeking, asking & knocking

        Like

        Reply

  5. I personally believe, that Smith Wigglesworth was an illusionist, not a healer. If he was given the gift from God, then why didn’t he, heal people in hospitals, their homes, or in church, instead of at meeting’s on a stage. I believe Jesus uses his people to heal, but Smith Wiggles worth ; not a firm believer in his life story.

    Like

    Reply

    • Thanks for the comment. I’m not sure where you got the evidence to come to that conclusion. Still, there were many people back in the day who were skeptics. The wealth of testimonies of supernatural healing is significant. Yet, even Jesus didn’t heal everyone. In John 5 Jesus healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda. There were many sick there trying to scramble into the pool for healing when the water stirred. Jesus only healed the one. Miraculous works are for establishing the reality and power of God and to lead people to the greatest miracle of all – salvation in Christ. That’s why these healing events. That’s where people recorded the events. Who knows how many were healed elsewhere. Even in the healing meetings not all are healed, but many are drawn in to see the reality of God and be led to salvation. That was Wigglesworth’s main desire, and many thousands came to Christ through his ministry.

      Like

      Reply

  6. hello – while no doubt smith was a god fearing man and spoke for god and lived fir him, i believe some of his admirers have spread stories not unlike mrdieval saints miracles, out of veneration for him. First of all, there are no instances in the bible of creating a new limb or organ out of nothing…its not there. What we do have is god giving life to dead hands, dead eyes, diseased bodies. I am very suspucious of anything reported that god hasnt done in his word. I dont consider the healing of malchus’ ear as a sufficient answer to this..we dont read of a new ear being placed on him, leaving the old one on the ground. Of course god could do this, but he hasnt chosen to do so. And throwing a baby at a wall or kicking him is gross. I would never obey such a gross or strange “voice”. Thats not faith, its fanaticism. But it never happened. And i am a continuationist, i still believe god heals but on his own lines not ours

    Like

    Reply

  7. Thanks for reading and responding. If you continue to read the follow-up posts that might help. We as humans do have a tendancy to exaggerate. I appreciate your dedication to not straying from the writen word. Jesus did say something about his followers doing even greater things. And John writes in 21:25, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” If that is the case Jesus was not limited to what was actually documented. I do respect your position and pray God’s grace abounds.

    Like

    Reply

  8. Pingback: Smith Wigglesworth – Charismatic Folklore & The Stuff Of Legends – scribal well

  9. Why didn’t Jesus heal all the people at the Bethesda pool? He could have. In other circumstances he healed all the sick and demon possessed who came to him.

    After healing the man at the Bethesda pool and talking to him at the temple he said, “stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you”.

    What might have been the fate was of the 9 lepers who were healed and didn’t return to Jesus to give thanks? Maybe the healing was detrimental to the eternal destination they would find themselves in.

    Acts 19 states that God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs that he touched were taken to the sick and they were healed. However, Epaphroditus, Paul’s co-worker in spreading the Gospel, nearly died from a sickness (Philippians 2). Paul had the gift of healing but was legitimately worried that Epaphroditus would die.

    Until we are face-to-face with God, it is unlikely for us to know why it does or doesn’t happen in the ways we think it ought. We can rest in knowing that God is a loving father who wants the best for us, and that all the things the enemy intends to destroy us with, will be used for good if we love him.

    Peace fam! ❤

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment