Life on Wings: The Forgotten Life and Theology of Carrie Judd Montgomery (1858-1946)

Until now, Carrie Judd Montgomery’s (1858-1946) significant contribution to both the Divine Healing movement and Pentecostalism has been underexplored. Montgomery’s healing account in 1879, her early writings, her healing homes, and her contribution to the formation of the doctrine of healing in the atonement make Montgomery one of the most influential people in the American Divine Healing movement. Following her 1908 experience of Spirit baptism, Montgomery also became an important figure in the emerging Pentecostal Movement. This analysis of Montgomery’s writings focuses upon her theology of healing and her pneumatology. Miskov concludes that that the prayer of faith in James 5 and healing in the atonement were two of the major foundations in her finished work theology of healing. The study of Montgomery’s Pentecostal pneumatology reveals that she actively pursued the fullness of the Spirit, also at times referred to as ‘Spirit baptism’, both before and after her own 1908 tongues experience. While Montgomery’s Spirit baptism enhanced her spirituality, added a new flavor to her ministry, and caused her to re-interpret past experiences through a Pentecostal perspective, it did not produce any major shifts within her theology of healing. In light of her experiences with the Spirit throughout the years, a proposed redefinition of the Pentecostal Spirit baptism is presented. Miskov argues that Montgomery’s openness to new manifestations of the Spirit and her relentless pursuit of the fullness of the Spirit should inform present day approaches to spirituality and renewal.