Rob Wilkerson resonates with a recent article.

Robin Williams as Mr. Keating in Dead Poets Society

Jeffrey Overstreet, “How I Got Dead Poets Society Wrong: And how a great professor changed my mind” ChristianityTodayOnline (September 16, 2014).

Overstreet’s article brought back memories. A lot of them, to be honest. To some degree, the feelings the movie evoked returned to me like I saw it yesterday.

First, there were the memories of how I felt as a high school graduate, the same year the movie was released. I remember identifying intensely with Keating, a mentor every kid wished was his dad. I remembered thinking how much of Neil was in me, both the joyous freedom to be me, mixed with the insanity of conformity to cultural norms and standards.

Second, there were memories of how I felt about rules and standards. Growing up on the legalistic side of Christianity, I could understand the concerns of Neil’s father and Keating’s administration. Rebellion is built into every fiber and DNA strand of every human being. This was probably true of me when I watched it. The movie was like a pinball inside my soul, thrashing around, ringing bells, sounding noises, while smacked by the paddles of my legalistic upbringing and the taste of free grace.

Third, there are memories of my parenting. I’m a father to four awesome kids. Too often I’ve parented like Neil’s father. At least, that’s what I fear. More often I’ve wanted to parent like Keating, loosening the ropes, the guides of culture (including Christian culture) from the fragile sapling of grace I saw growing inside my children. Overstreet said it best. “Looking back at authority figures who have inspired my respect, and at those who have been driven by ego and a desire to control, I’ve come to suspect that anyone who seeks to instill character in another person by force will produce an equal and opposite reaction.”

There is a root found in both men in this movie. It is fear. Plain and simple. Neil’s father was fearful that his son wouldn’t fit into his tiny little world, that his son would find a type of happiness that he had talked himself out of years earlier. He was fearful of freedom, so he couldn’t let his son enjoy it. Then there’s Keating. Overstreet believes that “Mr. Keating models a healthy balance of freedom and responsibility. He descends into that world of order, accepting the form of a servant, and makes all things new. He shows them what the imagination, taking the shape of love, makes possible.” Perhaps. Probably. But undoubtedly obvious in Keating, as well as in his real life character, was this tinge of immaturity.

Pastor Daniel Isgrigg speaks with Pneuma Review about his tribute to Dr. Howard Ervin, “Pilgrimage Into Pentecost: The Pneumatological Legacy of Howard M. Ervin” and his book of the same title.

Pneuma Review: In what ways has Dr. Ervin had an influence on your life?

Daniel Isgrigg: The book and paper came about after I took Dr. Ervin’s famous Pneumatology class that he taught every year of his forty year teaching career at ORU. Prior to this, I was not familiar with him and didn’t understand how important he was to Pentecostal theology. Once I heard him teach and was exposed to his class material and books, I knew I had found something special. As a young aspiring Pentecostal scholar, I had not yet found an example that I could follow of being both academic and Pentecostal. Most scholars to me were either not academic enough or not Pentecostal enough. Dr. Ervin was able to articulate for me a reasonable Classical Pentecostal theology with unquestionable excellence in theology and exegesis that I could call my own. Though he was thoroughly Pentecostal, he exemplified scholarship, dignity and reverence for God. He became the standard to me of what a scholar should be.

Pneuma Review: How is this paper different from your book?

Daniel Isgrigg: The SPS paper was written to draw attention to Dr. Ervin and the basic scope of the book. It talks about his pilgrimage into Pentecost from his time as a Baptist Pastor to his retirement from forty years of teaching. The paper contains selected excerpts of his biography, his works and his impact on the Pentecostal and charismatic world. Many of the biographical details were glossed over in favor of highlighting Dr. Ervin’s ecumenical impact on the Pentecostal/charismatic movement. The book goes on to offer comprehensive look at Ervin’s pneumatology; presenting his view of Spirit baptism, tongues as evidence, spiritual gifts and other related matters. The book also offers a rebuttal to Ervin’s critics over his view of Spirit baptism which is not in the paper. The goal of the both the paper and the book is to offer to young Pentecostals, like this author, an advocate of Classical Pentecostal theology to help inform and shape the next generation of scholars.

Pneuma Review: What have you learned writing and presenting this tribute?

Daniel Isgrigg: First of all, Dr. Ervin taught me that “your theology is only as good as your exegesis.” Many in Pentecostal scholarship are busy moving on to grander ideas in pneumatology, but they have failed to comprehend the basics of good exegesis from Luke-Acts. I have also learned that each generation has a responsibility to stand on the shoulders of those who went before us. Dr. Ervin provided a strong apologetic for Pentecost; one that Pentecostals can build on to bring a greater understanding of Pentecostal theology. Finally, I have learned the value of Pentecostal and charismatic history. Dr. Ervin not only wrote about the Holy Spirit, he led thousands into that experience. His life was more than ideas; it was changed lives. I continue to get letters from people who say how much Dr. Ervin has impacted their lives. His story needed to be told. His story inspires me as a minister to help people find the freedom and power of being baptized in the Spirit. His theology gives me confidence that this experience is grounded in the Word of God and sound theologically. Because he was able to minister to Protestants and Catholics, his life shows me that Pentecost is the vehicle that God wants to use to truly bring unity to the body of Christ.