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.

The Miracle of the Bierschenk Girls

Daniel Segraves

Let me share with you the miracle of the Bierschenk girls. I’m keenly interested in this story, because one of these girls, Susan [lower right] is my wife of 5 years as of yesterday.

The Bierschenk girls – Wally Ann, Rosalie, Mary Ruth, and Susan Jean – were all born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Their father, Walter J. Bierschenk, was a successful businessman who owned Bierschenk Brothers Plumbing with his brother, Chris. Walter was also the director of the Kosair Temple Band, which played at events for the Kosair Crippled Children’ Hospital in Louisville. He was also the commander in chief for the VFW. Walter and his wife, Virginia Jean, the girls’ mother, were well known on the social scene in Louisville.

Walter was buried in the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery by his wife. He had served in World War II.

Susan, the youngest of the girls, was born on June 11, 1944. Her father died at the age of 51, when Susan was 20 months old. She has no memory of him. Susan’s mother was 44 when she passed away. Susan was 8 years old. The Bierschenk girls were orphans.

From left, Wally Ann, Rosalie, Mary Ruth, Susan Jean

Neither Walter nor his wife attended church regularly, but a relative took the girls to St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church. Wally and Rosalie completed the requirements for Confirmation.

Walter had the wisdom to provide a trust for his daughters in the event of his death. In today’s dollars, the value of the trust was about $850,000. This was enough to provide for all four until they reached adulthood.

The Louisville Trust Company administered the funds, hiring a lady to live with and raise the girls. She was experientally and doctrinally a Oneness Pentecostal. The result: all four embraced the Pentecostal life; three married preachers.

For 41 years now, the girls and their families have gathered for a reunion each year. The following pictures, and those above, were taken on September 29, 2018, on the occasion of the 41st reunion, held at the Governor’s Mansion in Charlestown, Indiana.

From left: Austin Christman, Susan’s grandson; Michael Christman, Susan’s son-in-law; Lisa Mustread, Wally’s daughter; Susan; Daniel Segraves, Susan’s husband; Jimmy Soberg, Mary Ruth’s husband; Mary Ruth; Rosalie; Willis Thoen, Rosalie’s husband; Becky Christman, Susan’s daughter, took the picture.

If you would like to read more of this story, see Susan’s article, “Blooming in Brokenness,” in the October 2018 issue of the Pentecostal Life magazine, available at pentecostallife.com.

Five years of wedded bliss!

Daniel Segraves

Five years ago today, Susan and I were joined in marriage by our Bishop, Tim Dugas, Pastor Garry Tracy, and General Superintendent David Bernard. Pastor Scott Graham was the emcee at our reception. They all did a great job, and we joined the old tradition of Oneness Pentecostals who got married and spent their honeymoon at general conference. This is a great tradition, because you get to enjoy the congratulations of all your friends every year!

I love Susan with all my heart! She is a Proverbs 31 wife. We have enjoyed every day of our marriage, and we look forward with eager anticipation to our future together.

I love you, dear Susan, and I want the whole world to know it! ❤️

A general conference memory

Daniel Segraves

The first general conference Of the United Pentecostal Church I remember attending was held at the Ellis Auditorium in Little Rock, Arkansas, circa 1955. My father, Glen Segraves, was pastoring in Rector, Arkansas. He sang at this conference, playing his little red accordion. His song was “This Old House,” written by Stuart Hamblin. This was “by request,” as they did in those days. I was about 9 years old. Compare that to today’s general conference music! Will there be an accordion?

Getting ready for the 2018 general conference in Louisville, Kentucky, from the 17th floor of the downtown Marriott. I’m not 9 anymore.

#UPCIGC18

Also at this general conference

Daniel Segraves

In addition to my new book Andrew D. Urshan: A Theological Biography, my newest book, Looking Forward: A Clear View of Biblical Prophecy, will be available this year. This 225 page book includes the following chapters:

  1. There Is a Lot of Prophecy in the Bible
  2. Finding Fulfillment
  3. Telling Time
  4. The Ultimate Fulfillment
  5. Now and Not Yet
  6. Always Watching
  7. The Back of the Book
  8. Signs, Symbols, and Solutions
  9. Justice, Judgment, and Eternal Rewards
  10. Rediscovery of Prophetic Truth
  11. Here Comes the Bride
  12. Retaining Historic Doctrines
  13. Perilous Times

If you wish, I would be happy to autograph a copy for you. I’ll be available at the Pentecostal Publishing House display.

 

New at this general conference: Andrew D. Urshan: A Theological Biography

Daniel Segraves

For the first time at a general conference of the United Pentecostal Church International, my book Andrew D. Urshan: A Theological Biography will be available this year. The book is a revision of my dissertation for the Ph.D. from Regent University School of Divinity.

Andrew D. Urshan was one of the four most influential persons in the shaping of early twentieth century oneness Pentecostalism. Urshan College and Urshan Graduate School of Theology are named in his honor and in honor of his son, Nathaniel A. Urshan, who served for many years as the general superintendent of the UPCI.

If you wish, I would be happy to autograph a copy for you. I’ll be available in the area of the Pentecostal Publishing House Display.

A new book idea . . .

Daniel Segraves

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When Susan and I were in Paris a couple of weeks ago, I went into a bookstore and discovered an interesting book display. Here’s the picture and my comments.

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Exploring a book display filled with small volumes all subtitled something like “A Short Introduction to . . . .” Each is about 100 pages long. I am looking at one titled “A Short Introduction to Miracles.” The bibliography includes a book on miracles written by Graham Twelftree, an Australian scholar who was one of my professors in my Ph.D. Program. The display gave me the idea to write short books on topics relevant to biblical studies. Who knows? Now that I’m retired . . .

Now, this past Sunday, Susan and I attended a 90th birthday celebration for Lorene Foster, a founding member of The Sanctuary UPC. As we sat at a table with Jim and Donna Sample and Robin and Marsha Johnston, Brother Johnston, who is the editor in chief for the United Pentecostal Church International, told me he had read my post. He said, “We need a book on the Holy Spirit.”

It turns out that the UPCI needs to publish a series of books on topics that are generally associated with systematic theology. One is a book on pneumatology, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

I have mentioned before that my “big” project since retirement is to write the second volume of my commentary on Psalms. I have been working on that, but I will set it aside temporarily to write the manuscript for a book on the Holy Spirit. It will be about 150 pages long. I have already submitted a tentative outline to Everett Gossard, the book editor for the Pentecostal Publishing House.

I’m excited about this project. I’ve taught pneumatology between 25 and 30 times over the years. The Holy Spirit stands at the beginning and ending of the Holy Bible.

We’re Pentecostals, we need a book on the Holy Spirit!

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