Month: October 2018

Balaam, his donkey, and Apostolic pneumatology

Daniel Segraves

Balaam and his donkey

Today I completed an examination of each use of the phrase “the Spirit of God” in the Pentateuch. The last of these was the story of Balaam in Numbers. I have always been astounded not just by a talking donkey, but also by the fact that Balaam carried on a conversation with the donkey without any indication that he thought it was odd to do so!

But for the purposes of this project, how could it be that the Spirit of God would come upon a “prophet” who charged a “diviner’s fee” (Numbers 22:7) and who ordinarily resorted to sorcery (Numbers 24:1)? How could it be that Balaam, who later led Israel to trespass against the Lord (Numbers 31:1), could utter such majestic messianic prophecies?

One insight from this account is that when the Spirit of God comes upon someone, it is no indication of God’s approval of that person’s lifestyle or theology, even though this event can result in the divine purpose being accomplished.

The reason I am posting these reports and observations on this writing project is to keep a kind of diary on my progress. My blog is set up to share posts on Twitter, so if this is interesting to you, I’m glad.

Keep in mind that this is a work in progress, and I may revise anything as I go along.

A decision on the Apostolic pneumatology project

Daniel Segraves

Today I worked on a chapter titled “The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament.” With close to 100 references to the Holy Spirit in the OT, I had to decide how to arrange my work.

The Spirit is referred to in the OT in a variety of ways: The Spirit of God, the Spirit of the LORD, My Spirit, His Spirit, the Spirit, Holy Spirit and so forth.

Should I simply start with the first reference and go straight through to the last, regardless of the description?Should I first examine each occurrence with the same description? Should I arrange the study topically?

I decided to use an approach I have used when teaching Old Testament Foundations. We will work through the OT books in canonical order, as they are arranged in the Hebrew Scriptures, rather than in the order they appear in, in English translations, which follow the Septuagint order. I enjoy studying the OT in this way, and it is an order Jesus twice endorsed.

The order of the OT books in the Hebrew Scriptures is seen in the visual above.

Today’s report on the Apostolic pneumatology project.

Daniel Segraves

Here’s where we are as of today: I’ve written the introduction, which explains the biblical theology approach the book will take. This is in contrast, to a certain extent, to a systematic theology treatment.

I have written a chapter exploring evidence for a Spirit designed literary shape to the entire Bible and to the Pentateuch. This involves the appearance of the Spirit at the beginning and end of both.

Today, I completed a chapter on the deity of the Spirit, which included an exploration of the use of the word LORD by Jesus and others in the New Testament to establish His identity as YAHWEH. This chapter also examined the use of the Shema in the NT and how that influences the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

The plan for tomorrow is to begin a chapter titled “The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament.” It is my intention to consider every reference to the Spirit in that portion of Scripture.

I would appreciate your prayers as I work on this important project.

At work on “The Holy Spirit: An Apostolic Perspective on Pneumatology.”

Daniel Segraves

This is what I do in retirement! Without my knowledge, Susan took this picture of me today as I shared with her some of the insights from the manuscript I am working on for a new book.

It’s hard work, but I am as excited about this project as I have been about any book I have written. I pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit and the ability to “rightly divide the word of truth.” I also invite your prayers as I complete what I hope will be a helpful treatment of this topic for the United Pentecostal Church.

I’m discovering biblical insights I’ve never noticed before, and I’m eager to share them. I hope to submit the manuscript to book editor Everett Gossard and editor in chief Robin Johnston by January 2019.