Pilgrimage Into Pentecost: The Pneumatological Legacy of Howard M. Ervin
In 1987, Ervin republished his classic work These are Not Drunken as Ye Suppose as Spirit Baptism: A Biblical Investigation, published by Hendrickson.57 This work re-organizes and clarifies some of his best arguments. With added clarity and additional exegetical arguments, as well as a restructuring of the progression of the book, Spirit Baptism provides a fresh look at Ervin’s Pentecostal theology and is an excellent addition to the Pentecostal library. This book provides the same scholarship but adds the insights made over the previous twenty years of speaking, lecturing, and teaching. With a logical progression and clear arguments, it remains one of the best explanations of Pentecostalism.
In 2002, Ervin published his latest book, Healing: Sign of the Kingdom.58 This book outlines clearly his understanding of healing as a sign that the kingdom of God is present. He discusses the difference between signs and wonders and spiritual gifts of healing. He discusses the nature of healing and the difficult questions of healing and faith. The book is well written with easy to follow arguments. At just over a hundred pages it is a great work for the scholar or layman. [Editor’s note: read Matthew Thompson’s review]
PR
Note from the Editor:
Dr. Ervin passed away on August 12, 2009, while the publication of this tribute was being finalized.From Tulsa World: ERVIN — Howard M., 93, beloved father, grandfather, pastor, and teacher, grasped the hand of God and is now in the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, in Tulsa, OK. Born September 21, 1915, in St. Nicholas, PA to Harry and Florence (Wentz) Ervin. He received a Th.D. from Princeton Seminary in Theology. Preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marta; brother, Winfield Ervin. Survived by: 3 daughters, Debby Bernier and husband, Ralph “Dell”, Gretchen Baclig and Judy Ide, all of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Elizabeth Tearl, Rebekah Paliotta, Michael Baclig, Jacob Matthew Ervin-Ide, and Jon Michael Ervin-Ide; great-grandchildren, Jason Taylor, Emma Claire Paliotta, Andrew Keoni Baclig, David Michael Paliotta, Nicholas Paliotta, and Caeden Michael Andrew Ide. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard Ervin scholarship fund at Oral Roberts University.
Notes
1 Howard M. Ervin, Conversion-Initiation and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1984).
2 Howard M. Ervin, “Pilgrimage into Pentecost,” Ervin Publications, Holy Spirit Research Center, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK, n.d., audiocassette.
3 Charles Farrah and Steve Durasoff, “Biographic and Bibliographical Sketch,” in Essays on Apostolic Themes: Studies in Honor of Howard M. Ervin Presented to Him by Colleagues and Friends on his Sixty-Fifth Birthday, ed. Paul Elbert (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1985), xi.
4 Marta was Ervin’s love and constant companion until she passed away in October of 2004.
5 P. H. Alexander, “Ervin, Howard Matthew,” Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, ed. Stanley Burgess and Gary B. McGee (Grand Rapids MI: Zondervan, 1988), 263.
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