1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire

Cross Examined, a novel about Christian apologetics, Christianity, and atheism109-year-old Rose Cliver, the oldest survivor of San Francisco’s great earthquake, has recently died, leaving only two survivors of the event. The Huffington Post article of the event includes some great photos of the aftermath.

While a little off-topic for this blog, this is squarely on topic for my book, set in 1906 Los Angeles in the aftermath of the earthquake. The Azusa Street Revival, which launched the Pentecostal movement, began with a reasonably successful prediction on the front-page of the LA Times the morning of the earthquake.

Someone within the Azusa Street church saw the people of Los Angeles “flocking in a mighty stream to perdition” and saw “awful destruction to this city unless its citizens are brought to a belief in the tenets of the new faith.”

This was too cool an event to ignore, and I launched my story with this earthshaking and historic prediction.

Photo credit: Berkeley Seismological Laboratory

Related links:

  • Cross Examined: An Unconventional Spiritual Journey on Amazon.

18 thoughts on “1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire

  1. Bob,

    What’s your reference for “Someone within the Azusa Street church saw the people of Los Angeles ‘flocking in a mighty stream to perdition’ and saw ‘awful destruction to this city unless its citizens are brought to a belief in the tenets of the new faith.'”

    I assumed this was factual, but it appears you made it up to fit your novel’s premise? Just curious. Not sure where your history ends and your fiction picks up.

    Rick

      • I assumed this was factual, but it appears you made it up to fit your novel’s premise? Just curious. Not sure where your history ends and your fiction picks up.

        The interesting thing is that I was just thinking the exact same thing about the Bible…

        • The Bible’s much easier. No fiction except where it is labeled as such, like in the parables. Do your homework.

          The obscure reference to the world renowned Vinson Synan is much different. How can you be sure he got his facts right and didn’t make up the prophecy after the fact? I’m sure you are doing as much due diligence on his work as you are on that of Jesus and His followers.

        • No fiction except where it is labeled as such, like in the parables.

          The majority of the world, the non-Christians, would not call it history. That’s not proof, of course, but it’s an interesting data point.

          How can you be sure he got his facts right and didn’t make up the prophecy after the fact?

          You’ve lost me. Let me make a guess at what you’re saying: that we have a discipline called History, with two candidates that want entry: (1) a fragment of The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition by Vinson Synan (William B. Eerdmands Publishing, 1997) and (2) the New Testament. Which, if either, warrant being cataloged as history?

          (1) Synan was quoting from the Los Angeles Times, April 18, 1906, page 1. You’ve caught me–I didn’t go verify this reference on microfiche. Given that this story (if not the quotation) is widespread, do you think I erred in using it above?

          (2) The New Testament claims to be history but is full of supernatural events, like fiction and mythology and clearly not like history. Indeed, I’ve never come across any supernatural event that is widely accepted within the domain of history that is supernatural in the least.

          After this brief analysis, I conclude that Synan is history and the New Testament is not.

          Is that what you wanted?

        • Rick:

          Well? Does that resolve it?

          Have I shown that this “obscure reference to the world renowned Vinson Synan” (as you put it) is actually relevant history? Did I meet your standards for historical research?

  2. Reference, “Well? Does that resolve it?”

    I have other irons in the fire. I don’t know if you have met my standards yet or not. I will let you know. Life does have other priorities than this blog, unfortunately. (Shocking, I know…)

  3. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but after
    looking at a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m certainly delighted I came across it
    and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

    Here is my page … Avon Careers

  4. hello!,I love your writing so so much! percentage we be in contact more approximately your article on
    AOL? I need an expert on this house to solve my problem.
    May be that is you! Having a look ahead to peer you.

  5. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit
    the nail on the head. The problem is something
    that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy I found this during my hunt for something regarding this.

    Also visit my webpage; Herbalife

  6. Exercise is important when dealing with the effects of HIV.

    Lift your tongue up to the roof of your mouth and
    hold it there for five seconds. Using Google Maps,
    Endomondo Sports Tracker can visually display
    your route. Whether the forecast depends on the budget or vice versa is similar to a chicken-and-egg story, with no
    conclusive evidence of what comes first. You’ll be burning a truckload of calories
    without even realizing you’re sweating.

  7. Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog site in Ie, it looks fine but when opening
    in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give
    you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

  8. Hi, I do believe this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may return once again since I saved
    as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way
    to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  9. My partner and I stumbled over here different web page and thought I should check things out.
    I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.

  10. Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to understand a lot about this,
    such as you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you simply could do with some
    p.c. to power the message house a little bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog.
    A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

    my weblog … is there really a cure for herpes (Pansy)

  11. Thank you for any other informative web site.
    Where else may I am getting that kind of info written
    in such an ideal means? I have a mission that I am simply now
    running on, and I have been at the look out for
    such info.

  12. Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer,
    it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, fantastic blog!

Comments are closed.