Introducing Francis and Judith MacNutt, by William De Arteaga

Now in his eighties, Dr. Francis MacNutt has been one of the giants of the Christian healing ministry for almost four decades. His books Healing (1974), Deliverance from Evil Spirits (1995), and Overcome by the Spirit (1990) are, I believe, still the best introductions to healing, deliverance, and manifestations of the Spirit. His writings have a simplicity and profundity to them that serve as an example and a grace to the whole church. With his wife Judith he founded Christian Healing Ministries (CHM) out of which have come some of the most profound and balanced teaching on healing, inner healing and deliverance.

Raised in the Depression era in a wealthy and distinguished family, he went to Harvard University and then served in the Navy as a medic during WWII. MacNutt converted to Roman Catholicism as an adult and entered the Dominican Order to become one of its outstanding preachers and writers. As a Dominican monk he first encountered the Spirit-filled healing ministry of Agnes Sanford at a CFO camp in 1967 where Agnes was the principal speaker. They formed a strong friendship and she mentored him into the healing/deliverance ministry. It was MacNutt who introduced the term “inner healing” to what was then called “the healing of memories.” He personally had a strong anointing for healing prayer and during the course of his frequent healing conferences prayed for many thousands of persons.

MacNutt became perhaps the most important leader of the Catholic Charismatic renewal from 1974-1980, serving many offices in that movement. His presence in flowing Dominican robes during the mega-rallies of the 1970s charismatic renewal is a cherished memory for many who attended. However, his marriage to Judith in 1980 abruptly ended his association with the Catholic Charismatic renewal and resulted in his excommunication. He then focused on his writing and teaching ministry for a more ecumenical reach, and developed CHM as a great teaching institution.

The website for Christian Healing Ministries is: www.christianhealingmin.org.

For more information about Francis MacNutt see Francis MacNutt’s Biography.
For more information about Judith MacNutt see Judith MacNutt’s Biography.

Update: Francis MacNutt  passed away on January 12, 2020. He was 94 years old.

Tags: arteaga, de, francis, introducing, judith, macnutt, william

Category: Pneuma Review, Spirit, Summer 2007