Wallace Thornton

Wallace Thornton, Jr. is a historian of the Christian tradition with special interest in the radical holiness networks. He has earned degrees from the University of Kentucky, God's Bible School and College, and Cincinnati Christian University; holds membership in the Wesleyan Theological Society and is a charter member of the Wesleyan Historical Society; has taught church history at three colleges and presented at several conferences; and has been published in the Wesleyan Theological Journal and the journal World Christianity and the Fourfold Gospel, in addition to numerous books relevant to the history of the Holiness Movement. He also served as associate editor of the Historical Dictionary of the Holiness Movement, Third Edition (Rowman and Littlefield, 2024).

Excerpts from reviews and recommendations:

From Glory to Glory: A Brief Summary of Holiness Beliefs and Practices-

"I am most happy to commend this book to the use of the holiness people and churches in particular, but also to any honest-hearted, open-minded person who wants to know more about the background of the holiness movement, and the historical precedents and scriptural foundation upon which our beliefs rest."

- Leonard Sankey, late General Secretary Emeritus, Inter-church Holiness Convention

Sons of Thunder: Camp Meeting Sermons by Post-World War II Holiness Revivalists-

"...the most significant collection of writings from the key male evangelists of the Conservative Holiness Movement."

- William C. Kostlevy, former Director of Brethren Historical Library and Archives

Radical Righteousness: Personal Ethics and the Development of the Holiness Movement-

"Professor Thornton has done a great service to the Wesleyan/Holiness movement, in general, and to the conservative holiness movement, in particular, in this excellent historical study. ...  I heartily recommend this book to church leaders, ministers, Bible college professors, and sincere seekers after truth."

- Robert England, late evangelist and college president

"Thornton presents a generally balanced view of the data and retains the scholarly detachment from the material required of a good historian . . . [and] has gone a long way toward establishing the framework within which the tradition can understand its own heritage, both its strengths and weaknesses, and within which the tradition can be interpreted as part of the larger Christian traditions. This is truly an important book..."

- David Bundy in the Wesleyan Theological Journal (Vol. 33 No. 2 Fall 1998)

"Thornton's work is an extremely valuable contribution to a greater understanding of the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition . . . [and] has potential to serve as a catalyst for greater dialog between the people and institutions of the conservative Holiness Movement and those of the larger Holiness Movement."

- Rodney Reed, review of Radical Righteousness in the Wesleyan/Holiness Studies Center Bulletin (Vol. 6 No. 2 Summer 1998)

"Excellent! Very interesting, and very well written... Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Felt I was re-living much of the past.

-Thomas Reed, late Moderator, Wesleyan Tabernacle Association

"The author offers many thought-provoking ideas . . . [and] makes a good case for reevaluating the question of behavioral standards and their place in the life of a Christian . . . Radical Righteousness is a commendable study. Well written, the work offers an original contribution and fresh viewpoint to the history of the Holiness movement. One hopes that it will become a standard resource ..."

- Mark Sidwell, review of Radical Righteousness in Biblical Viewpoint (April 2000)

"...A colorful story, often moving and sometimes depressing, but always fascinating; and Thornton tells it in a colorful and memorable way."

- Larry D. Smith, former Editor, God's Revivalist

"The writer is thorough and quite balanced in ferreting out details which throw light on events and developments. Thornton's theological stature is revealed in his thoughtful and very appropriate conclusions.

- Richard S. Taylor, late professor of Theology and Missions, Nazarene Theological Seminary

When the Fire Fell: Martin Wells Knapp's Vision of Pentecost and the Beginnings of God's Bible School-

"The book is stunning and will become a classic of holiness historiography." – Donald W. Dayton, late author of Rediscovering an Evangelical Heritage and Theological Roots of Pentecostalism

"For all of us who love this school and have a profound respect for its history, Wallace Thornton has given us a priceless treasure."

- Michael R. Avery, former President, God's Bible School and College

"Thornton's sympathetic history brings to life much more than an institution. The institution focuses the networks of people in a larger story that illuminates the larger course of American Methodism and evangelicalism."

- Edith Blumhofer, late Professor of History and Director of the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals, Wheaton College

"Thornton has provided both an interpretation of the history of GBS and a passionate carefully nuanced and strategically documented history of the Wesleyan/holiness traditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries."

- David Bundy, Research Professor of World Christian Studies in the Center for World Christianity at New York Theological Seminary

"Thornton's several strands of recollection and analysis are skillfully woven together to produce a well-told and richly documented story of personal journey, holiness vision, evangelistic passion, publishing ministries, and sometimes clashing perspectives within the Holiness movement, all leading to educational innovation in Cincinnati that clearly has been honored by the Spirit of God."

- Barry L. Callen, former Editor of the Wesleyan Theological Journal

"A must read for anyone interested in the history of the Holiness Movement and the impact it had on American culture in the first half of the twentieth century."

- D. William Faupel, former Professor of the History of Christianity, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D. C.

"When the Fire Fell is just the kind of in-depth study--intelligent, well-researched, and judiciously-argued--of a key holiness institution that will be welcomed by all who seek a better understanding of the movement."

- Mike Hamilton, Professor of History, Seattle Pacific University

"In this new book, Wallace Thornton, Jr., brings to bear the same analytical skills that made Radical Righteousness such a valuable work. With the same attention to detail and nuance, he perceptively brings to life the vivid personalities and issues that surrounded the launching of God's Bible School, which emerged from the nineteenth century holiness revival as the conservative Holiness Movement's leading college, and one of its vital centers of influence."

- R. Stanley Ingersol, former Denominational Archivist, Church of the Nazarene

"In the tradition of the Old Testament chroniclers, whose faithfulness to the truth did not allow them to hide the sins of the powerful, Thornton provides a detailed and fair, warts and all history of the beginnings of GBS...."

- William C. Kostlevy, former Director of Brethren Historical Library and Archives

"The author presents his subject, Martin Wells Knapp, in a well-developed narrative interfacing biographical, historical and theological perspectives, designed to elucidate what an authentic manifestation of Pentecost wrought in world Christianity in the early twentieth century.... Thornton's study shows Knapp to be a key figure in the rise of the modern holiness and Pentecostal movements...."

- J. Steven O'Malley, General Editor, The Asbury Theological Seminary Series in Christian Revitalization Studies

"Wallace Thornton has captured the vision and energy of Martin Wells Knapp and the Revivalist family. Having immersed himself in the primary source material related to his topic, he has infused his book with the passion and energy that befits a story about a minister who sought to bring “the power they had at Pentecost” back to the Church. Through these early documents, Thornton guides readers into close proximity to the radical holiness culture that Knapp and his associates fostered." – Barry Hamilton, review of When the Fire Fell in The Arminian Vol. 32 Issue 2 (Fall 2014), 8-9.

"By highlighting the ministry and legacy of Martin Wells Knapp, Wallace Thornton makes a notable contribution to holiness studies, especially within the context of American Methodist history." - Joseph Super, West Virginia University, review in Methodist History Vol. 54 No. 3 (April 2016), 221-222.