January, 1973

Faith Healing
Mrs. Alice Klein

I would like to respond to the article "Pamela is Dead - Praise the Lord", by Hugh Appel!. 

I agree whole heartedly with Mr. Appel that some of the things going on in the name of Christianity are appalling. I agree with him that the death of Pamela is tragic and shows a lack of understanding the scriptures in regard to healing. But I am sure we will always have those who go to extremes and I feel it is unfair to lump everyone who believes "that God still heals today in a miraculous way" in one -roup. We are all individuals with our peculiar backgrounds and hence we may believe in divine healing, but not go to the extremes that others do. 

I feel that Mr. Appel is doing this by putting Kathryn Kuhlman in the same category as Pamela's husband. This is unfair to do. Kathryn Kuhlman always tells the people to go back to their doctor. She believes that God heals by many different means; such as doctors and nurses, medicine and also by divine- intervention. Let me say before I go any further that I do not agree with everything Kathryn Kuhlman does or says. To be very honest when I first listened to her on the radio her mannerisms "turned me off". But then I began to listen to what she said and I forgot about the "way" in which she said them. I don't doubt that she gets a salary of $25,000.00 and I am not going to try and justify that either. Although I would like to insert here that it takes our Reformed Church a lot to operate too and we have a lot of overhead expenses. 

Now let me share our own personal experience. As many of you know, my husband, Rev. Corstian Klein, had a heart attack 41/2 years ago. After many tests, including an angiagram, the doctors found out that all the arteries in his heart were plugging up. In fact, one main artery was completely blocked off but the blood had found a by-pass. Surgery was talked about but because the particular type he needed was not at all that successful as yet, the doctors postponed it. He was about to do some very light work but tired' very easily because his heart just wasn't getting enough blood. The doctor told me he had a hear t of an old man and if he was careful not to over exert himself he might live several years but there was 'no chance of his heart returning to normal. With exercise and medication the doctor hoped for a little improvement but he really expected that it would get worse. Corstian experienced chest pains every day and it was difficult for him to do his pastoral duties so he requested a six month leave of absence. 

We returned to Lynden to be nearer our families with the thought of him having heart surgery. However, the doctor here had seen too many patients who had this particular kind of heart surgery who were not helped at all, in fact they were worse off. Then 3/2 years ago he had a second heart attack, followed by pneumonia and general physical exhaustion. That fall we went to a Kathryn Kuhlman meeting in Vancouver, but nothing happened. We had some of the feeling Mr. App&l shared. The way she comes on the stage with such fanfare just plain turned us both off. So when she was to be in Seattle in May 1971, Corstian was not interested in going. 

First of all from the physical aspect he didn't know if he could take the trip down there then the long service - and the long trip back. And secondly, he felt if God was going to heal him He could do it right here in our home. He didn't have to go to a special meeting. But some friends prevailed upon Corstian and when the doctors have given up on you, you know there is only one place to go for help and that is to God. 

The first healing that Kathryn Kuhlman announced that day was, that someone with a serious heart condition was being healed. Corstian felt no sensation but he went forward and claimed his healing and he has been a different man since. He does carpentry 8/2 hours a day. He does cement work, putting up rafters, digging, everything a carpenter has to do. Besides he leads Bible Studies, preaches many Sundays, and has weddings and funerals. In other words he leads a full life. And all we can say is "thank you God for having mercy upon us and healing Corstian". Many prayers were made to God in his behalf and we believe God heard these prayers. We realize that God is sovereign and we have to lay ourselves at His Mercy, but he only allows things to come into our lives for our good. During Corstian's time of illness we have learned many lessons in faith, and it is only through trials that we can learn to trust Him more and more. The doctor is just amazed at Corstian's health and finds it very difficult to explain. However, he wrote on his medical record that he had a "dramatic healing". 

We do not give Kathryn Kuhlman the credit but to God Almighty goes all the praise and glory. Why wasn't Corstian healed at home? I do not know the answer to that question but may be God wanted it done in a public place so He would receive more glory. We do not understand all of God's ways because they are higher than our ways. But this one thing we know, Corstian was sick with incurable heart disease and now he is well, and for this we praise and thank our loving Heavenly Father.