Society of Biblical Literature Meeting, 2012

The SBL Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of biblical scholars in the world. Each meeting showcases the latest in biblical research, fosters collegial contacts, advances research, and focuses on issues of the profession. The 2012 event will be in Chicago Nov. 17-20, 2012.

One of the world's largest exhibits of books and digital resources for biblical studies is on display at the congress. At this meeting, scholars benefit from sessions on religion, philosophy, ethics, and diverse religious traditions.

The call for papers for this year's conference is now closed but here are the dates/locations for future events:

Baltimore, MD	November 23-26, 2013
San Diego, CA	November 22-25, 2014
Atlanta, GA	November 21-24, 2015

http://www.sbl-site.org/meetings/annualmeeting.aspx

SOCIETY FOR PENTECOSTAL STUDIES - CALL FOR PAPERS

The Society for Pentecostal Studies will hold their 42nd Annual Meeting, in conjunction with the Wesleyan Theological Society, hosted by Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA, March 21-23, 2013.  The theme of the event is "Holiness."  Information about their call for papers may be found here.

Proposals are due to the appropriate Interest Group Leader (IGL) no later than June 30, 2012. Each proposal will be acknowledged by email from the IGL or chair within two weeks of submission. 

Membership information on the society is available here.

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Noel Brooks Memorial Conference Book Series

A scholarly multi-disciplinary conference in honor of the pastor, educator, writer, and theologian, Noel Brooks (1914-2006).

Description:

A series of books containing scholarly articles related to the general themes of each conference. Each book will bear the series title: “The Noel Brooks Memorial Conference Series” and a number. The main title will reflect the theme or some element of it.

2012: “Merging Faith and Learning”    DEADLINE June 15, 2012

2013: “Transformations”                      DEADLINE June 15, 2013

2014: “Centennial” and the theme of legacy  DEADLINE June 15,2014

Mission:

To promote the Conference, to encourage discussion on the themes, and to foster scholarship.

Funds:

Monies generated from any sales will go into a special "Noel Brooks Conference‟ fund to help defray costs for future events. Funds over the cost of the conference in any calendar year will go into a fund to support and maintain the special collections and archive of the SCU Library.

Requirements:

All attendees will have first refusal for inclusion in the anthology. Open submissions meeting the specifications will also be considered.

Submit -

1. Signed release form (online; maybe signed, scanned and emailed or sent via standard mail); 
2. Article from 10-20 pages in length, with endnotes; electronic submissions ONLY; APA, MLA or Turabian formatting permitted; 
3. 12 point font, New Times Roman or Tahoma; 
4. Include an abstract (1 paragraph);
5. Inclusion of a short biographical paragraph (see sample).

Short Biographical Paragraph (no more than 10 sentences):

Jane Doe, Ph.D. Theology, Elizabeth College. Currently she serves on the faculty of Jones University. [Add something here such as also an ordained minister with the XYZ Church or some other academic work or group to which you belong]. Current research interests include [ ]. Previous publications include [ ]. Jane Doe may be contacted at [email].

Abstract (1 paragraph of about 10 sentences)

An abstract usually acts as a summary of work already completed and is used by prospective readers to decide whether or not to read the entire text. It should present the thesis and address some information questions: What was your question -Why did you do this study or project? What did you do and how? What did you find? What do your findings mean?

RELEASE FORM

A Non-exclusive release form will be required of all authors for publication. This form grants permission for publication of the paper in the conference book series and/or online. After that, all rights revert to author for subsequent publication or submission elsewhere.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the event planner, Marilyn A. Hudson, MLIS or email marilyn.hudson@swcu.edu

In Memory: Dr. W.R. Corvin (Oklahoma)

[obituary] December 25, 1921 - March 14, 2012 OKLAHOMA CITY 

Dr. W.R. (Ray) Corvin was born on December 25, 1921, and went to be with his Lord on March 14, 2012. He was born and raised on a farm near Ada, Oklahoma. His parents were Will and Lou Ellen Corvin. 

His earlier life jobs include farm hand, business manager, radio announcer, debater, military service, minister in a Methodist church and Pentecostal Holiness churches. He was married to Geneva Goodman for 43 years, having 3 children (Geralon, Venita and Doug). 

He earned numerous degrees including a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma, Master's of Divinity from Garrett Theological Seminary, Doctoral work at Northwestern University and the University of Oklahoma, a Ph.D from the University of Oklahoma and an honorary Doctor of Humanities. Dr. Corvin served as a vice president and later as president for 15 years of Southwestern College. He was vice president of Will Rogers Bank for 5 years. 

Upon the death of Dr. R.O. Corvin, he assumed the presidency of the University of Biblical Studies for over 15 years. After Geneva's passing in 1984, he married Nina McDaniel until her passing in 2008. He is survived by two daughters, Geralon (& Danny) Ore and Nita Twyman, and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Corvin. He was known to his 8 grandchildren as their beloved Tonta. He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. 

Donations may be made in Dr. Corvin's memory to: Southwestern Christian University, PO Box 340, Bethany, OK 73008. 

In Memory: The Rev. Hoyle Baker (Kansas)

Rev. Hoyle D. Baker, of Wellington, Kansas, died Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Wellington, Kansas at the age of 82. 

Hoyle was born the son of Albert H. and Jennie M. (Murray) Baker on Wednesday, October 9, 1929 in Prague, Oklahoma. When Hoyle was 6 months old, his parents moved to Mesa, Arizona. He graduated from Mesa Union High School in 1949.

In 1950, Hoyle and Louise Bowman were united in marriage in Depew, Oklahoma. Together they celebrated 61 years of marriage.

Rev. Hoyle Baker was ordained as a Minister in 1955. He served as pastor in many communities in Kansas including Kinsley, Caney, Mulvane, Wellington, and Minneapolis. In the 1960's he pastored a mission for the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Wellington.  Rev. Baker retired in 1992 after 37 years in the pulpit. He also worked at Boeing Aircraft as a modification mechanic for many years and retired in 1993.

.

WOMEN THROUGH 1925 LENS

An article appeared in The Oklahoman of August 13, 1925 titled, "Warning is Sounded About Painted Knees: Preacher Also Takes Rap At Rolled Hose." (pg. 7).   The small piece is short on information or facts - qualifying more as a 'filler' to use up left over space on a newspapers page - but that did not prevent the prejudice from coming through.  There is the possibility it was something made up but it could also be an accurate depiction of the shaky theology which sometimes plagues evangelicalism, fundamentalism, or Pentecostalism.

Identified simply as a "Pentecostal revival", it was reported to have been at a church located on Avenue B and Oklahoma in Capitol Hill, a community just a few miles south of Oklahoma in 1925.  Based on a church advertisement of 1919 this would have been the Church of Apostolic Faith, pastored by early pioneer Pentecostal minister, Harry P. Lott. ("Churches", Oklahoman, Dec. 28,1919, pg. 9).

The interesting theological assertion, at least what the reporter claimed, was that "God's kingdom" could not come as long as women 1) have their hair cut above their ears, 2) wear such short sleeves and dresses, 3 ) form their eyebrows, use rouge on their cheeks, 4) roll their hose and powder their knees.  "God's kingdom" will begin "when we get back to old-fashioned, modest women who cook, and a bake a decent cake."  These assertions were punctuated by shouts and exclamations.  The reporter ended his story with an ironic comment that there were "many bobbed-haired, knee-painted, hose-rolled women" attending the church service.

The preacher's theology may not be representative of actual preaching and may reflect more the lingering biases against Pentecostals in the first four decades of the century.  It does highlight the social influences at work in society as women, their fashions, behaviors, and value changed in the decade known for its exuberant and uninhibited generational shift.

The idea that a woman's ability to cook and bake cake would be what would bring the Kingdom of God into being reveals several problems which plagued early evangelicalism and Pentecostalism.  The first problem was the tendency to deny the need for training, mentoring, or added skills in order to be a minister, pastor, evangelist or other church leader.  The second problem was  viewing culture as unchanging and with this came the tendency  to equate past as perfect.  The third problem was the marginalization of women, especially in Pentecostalism, from a status of full participation in the life of the church to one where they were once more socially and religiously relegated to the borderlands of Christian life.

The tide of society is constantly flowing past and that is part of the nature of life ordained by God.  Things change, we must adapt, and in that adaptation can be found growth.  It is the idea behind the inability of of new wine going into old wineskins. It underscores that change is a necessary aspect of life and development. Rather than fearing it, trying to keep things the way they were in the 'good old days', like the preacher in the news article, there is a need to realize new times often mean changes  and require recognition rather than fear.

'LIGHT AND HEAT" - Noel Brooks

“Light and Heat”: The Christianview Bible College in Canada (1970- )

                In 1972, Noel Brooks refers to one of his personal heroes in an article about the first year of the new college in Canada.

                “One of the best biographies of John Wesley is entitled The Burning Heart. Another biographer described Wesley as The Knight of the Burning Heart. Whenever we think of Wesley this is how we conceive him: as a man ablaze with sustained passion to evangelize the lost and spread “scriptural holiness throughout the land…He earnestly desired that his preachers be men and women of burning heart and enlightened mind. “Oh for light as well as heat!...There is a great need of this combination of heat and light in the Christian world…”[1]

                In about 1968, while still recuperating from his severe exhaustion and ulcers, Brooks was wrestling with the reoccurring suggestions of friends that he look at teaching in North American Bible colleges. Soon he was approached about the dream of a college envisioned for Canada and if he would consider being president. “From the moment I read the letter I felt intuitively that this was the reason for the Divine dealings with my soul in recent months. Here was a place of need in the Pentecostal Holiness Church, perhaps, I could fill. A pioneer field of this nature held many formidable giants, but the Divine call is never divorced from the Divine enabling.”[2]  Noel Brooks was an excellent choice as he was himself a blend of the heat and light Wesley had declared to be so vital to a minister of the Gospel.

                In 1970, the Ontario conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church appointed a committee, under the leadership of Rev. Philip King, to investigate and make preliminary plans for a Bible college. On December 5, 1970, the plans were approved with King elected chairman and Brooks selected as the first president.

                The simple first yearbook of the institution was edited by instructor Laura Justice and included motto of the school: “Living to learn, learning to serve, and Serving to save.”  The home of the institution, Christianview Bible College, was in the Evangelistic Centre, 22 York Mills Road, Willowdale, a suburb just outside of Toronto.  Classes began on September 7, 1971 with a student body of a little over a dozen students from Nova Scotia and Ontario.  The governing board was comprised of R.L. Mosely (Chair), Gordon McDonald, Noel Brooks, Hazel Yeatman, Jack Booth, Ed Butler, and Bill Kirkwood.  The faculty was comprised of Brooks (B.D., D.D.), Laura Justice (Th.B., B.A.). That first year the ‘Christianview Bible College Student Society’ president was Marshall Caldwell, Marcia Wenzell (Secretary) and John McPhail (Treasurer).  Housing was made possible through the genoristy of local people: Irene McGillicuddy, Rev. and Mrs. R.L. Mosely, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Woods.

Brooks writing in a memoir of that first term noted:

“Every true work of God is a venture of faith. God has so planned it. Though the wisdom and power to create are His alone, He has so ordered it that man becomes God’s co-builder through faith. We are justified by faith. We are sanctified through faith. We are filled with the Holy Spirit through faith. We are healed through faith. We become effective witnesses and workers for God through faith. We play a part in God’s redemptive programme in our world through faith. Faith is not the efficient cause of these things. God, in His grace, wisdom, and power is the only efficient cause of human faith. But faith, which is itself a gift of God, becomes the appropriating and co-operating power by which a man lays hold of the will of God and thus becomes a “worker together with God” (II Corinthians 6.1).

Whatever we undertake for God must be, from first to last, a venture of faith.  If ever we arrive at a place where we imagine that we no longer have to “live by faith”, whether it be in things spiritual or things material, we are out of the Divine order. In the things of God it must be a venture of faith from start to finish. Christian history is a graveyard of causes and institutions which began as ventures of faith but lapsed into unbelieving fleshly works.

Christianview Bible College is in the very early days of faith venturing. Believing that we are moving in the will of God in establishing a Pentecostal Holiness school in Canada, we are looking to God for the faith to work with Him, and venture for Him, and pay the price that all such venturing inevitably involves.

“All who are associated with us must make this venture of faith. The whole Pentecostal Holiness Church of Canada has had to make this venture. The Governing Board has had t make it. The President and his wife have had to make it. The members of the faculty have had to make it. Every student who comes to us has to make it.  Every person who stands behind us in prayer and financial help has to make it.

By faith we are all venturing with God. May out faith not falter or fail. It will not as we exercise it. Faith only fails as it is unexercised.  As we use it, God strengthens and re-enforces it. Thus, vision through venture becomes achievement.”[3]

---

[1] Brooks, Noel. “First Year at Christianview Bible College.” Advocate (May 6, 1972): 7.

[2] Brooks, Noel. “Canadian Breakthrough Christianview Bible College.” Advocate (Aug 14, 1971):6-7; also typed manuscript of the same title, Noel Brooks Collection, Southwestern Christian University Library Archives.

[3] The Herald: Christianview Bible College Yearbook. 1971-1972.; 24 page stapled booklet with images.

First Women To Serve on Board of Regents for Southwestern Christian University

The student and alumni newsletter of what was then Southwestern College of Christian Ministries, The Insight, announced new board members in 1983.  The Rev. C.E. Means, Board Chair, noted, "In expanding its Board of Education to bring the board back up to its full strength, the Southwestern Board of Education is gearing up for growth."  By bringing the board up to strength he was referring to the restructuring that had moved the institution from a large junior college with a four year religion degree to a much smaller Bible college profile with a new name.   "We believe,  the college will see good progress in the next few years, and a strong Board of Education is essential to that progress."

Among the new faces being welcomed were two who were making history for the school.  Two women, Lynn Pate, and Alfreda Flowers, were for the first time part of this decision making body.  Although Means claimed they were the first such women to old office on any IPHC boards of education, further research will have to verify that statement.

Others added to the Board of Education in 1983 included: Leon Crosswhite (alumnus of clas of '46 and a local businessman); Pete Thompson (a businessman in oil production from Ardmore,OK); David Oxley (alumnus and insurance executive); David Roberts (Business manager, Norman Vo-Tech Schools); SamVaughn (insurance executive); Jim Eby (Alumnus and pastor); Dennis Cox (pastor); James Zenger (pastor); Kenneth Cain (alumnus and pastor).

Questions and Answers by Paul F. Beacham

Pentecostal Holiness minister and church leader, Dr. Paul F. Beacham published a volume in 1950 (Pentecostal Holiness Publishing, Franklin Springs, Georgia), "Questions and Answers on the Scriptures and Related Subjects."

Based on a regular column in the pages of the denomination periodical, The Advocate, the book served to define and apply Pentecostal Holiness doctrine to questions from readers and church people.  For thousands of people across several decades this column, and the subsequent book, were a source of explanation and application of Biblical teachings and Pentecostal Holiness doctrine.

In 1954 he followed up this work with Meat in Due Season (Pentecostal Holiness Publishing).

Various libraries across the country have this work in their collections. Interested readers should have their libraries inquire about access via Interlibrary loans.


US,OK ORAL ROBERTS UNIV OKO
US,OK    SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNV BETHANY
US,CA FULLER THEOL SEMINARY CFT
US,KY ASBURY THEOL SEMINARY KAT
US,NC REFORMED THEOL SEMINARY LIBR, CHARLOTTE RFT
US,TN LEE UNIV, SQUIRES LIBR TLC
US,VA REGENT UNIV

Other schools may include, Emmanuel, Franklin Springs, Ga. and archives such as the IPHC Archives and Records Center.

"Setting Stones": A History of the IPHC Work in India By Moses Kumar

In 2006, Moses Kumar, Conference Superintendent for South India and Assistant Field Superintendent for India, published a landmark book, Setting Stones: An Interpretive History of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in India (LifeSprings Publications:Franklin Springs, Georgia).

It is a concise 199 page work with illustrations chronicling the major movements of the work of the IPHC in India since 1911 through to the time of the book's writing.

Each seection is presented and analyzed through a Historico-Theological perspective adding much to the work.

The book  opens with "Humble Origins" and recounts those early 1911 onward works by such people as J.H.King, Miss Almyra Aston, Miss Della Gaines, Rev. Robert  and Mrs. Mollie Massey,  Rev. and Mrs. D.S. Mahaffey, and James Harvey. 

Then it moves on to Section I and the "The Era of Pioneering Missionaries: The Story of the First 35 Years in India (1921-1955).  Then, a portrait of Pioneer Missionaires is provided.

Then comes Section II, "Era of  Consoliation and Expansion: The Story of the Last 5 years  (1956-2006).  Here again is a detailed portrait of the Later missionairies.

Finally, Section III, "Into the New Millennium: The Story Yet To Be Written (2006 and Beyond).  Here significant indigenous leaders are enumerated and plans for the future are outlined.

Hymns of Faith and Hope

In 1869 Horatius Bonar published Hymns of Faith and Hope, First Series with the London firm of James Nisbert & Co. on Berners Street.

Bonar, who was called the "prince of Scottish hymn writers" , graduated from the Universiy of Scotland. As his preface states, he was in 1856 in the community of Kelso. He belonged o the free church of Schotland. He specified the songs in the collection, "belonged to no denomination or sect."

A copy this book was in the library of the British Bible College, British Pentecostal Holiness Church. It is now located in the archives at Southwestern Christian University, Noel Brooks Collection.

PENTECOSTALISM AND THE NRA OF 1933: An Oklahoma Story

In July of 1933 the National Recovery Administration of the F.D. Roosevelt Administration adopted this symbol for compliance to the National Industrial Recovery Act.  Businesses and individuals were encouraged to support the blue bird through business practices and consumer decisions. Seeing the symbol housewives were encouraged to buy from that shop or men to do business with that company.  There was an inferred and understood mandatory or compulsory code aspect to the use of the seal and the subsequent shopping decisions.  This was eliminated in 1935 and the image revoked and the mandatory aspect prohibited. 

In August of 1933, people began revolting quietly and respectively against this symbol and the compulsory use of it by business and shoppers.  Individuals were canvassing south Oklahoma City and encountered people who rejected the use of the symbol.

Among those who rebelled were individual members of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church of Oklahoma City located at 423 W. California.  The church had begun life as a Holiness Mission on the fringe of a saloon, gambling, and bordello district of the city (see previous entries on The Blue Front Saloon and Mission).

Pastored by the Rev. Dan T. Muse at the time of the Blue Eagle, many of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church members, as individuals, joined with others to resist the move.  The paper identified the 'others' as  simply "hill people" of Stillwell, Oklahoma. Muse noted they also included members of Capital Hill Nazarene. No doubt there were other individuals in the city and region who also shared the same position of the individuals in the Oklahoma City church.  They, however, remain nameless and this interesting vantage of history largely unexplored.

One woman noted the symbol and the forced use of it were the "forerunner of the Beast."   The church was a "shouting church", Muse said.  They believed in the reality of the Mark of the Beast, 666, and believed the number six was Satanic.   Muse modified some comments inferring the recovery efforts use of the blue thunderbird symbol was the "Mark of the Beast" but acknowledged that it might be a precursor and the church did believe in a soon return of Christ and the reality of the events of Revelation 13.

Muse would go on to become a presiding Bishop of the national Pentecostal Holiness Church.

Sources: 

"Church Sect Shuns "Eagle" Claiming Religious Evil: Pentecostal Holiness group in Fight on NRA Symbol." Oklahoman. (Aug. 30, 1933)1.

National Recovery Act (1933) - U.S. Archives, documents

PR Videos - NRA

Pioneering Pentecostal Pastor: 1881-1944

The Rev. Oscar C. Wilkins was born in 1881 in Campbell County, Missouri. He died in May 1944 at Wesley Hospital (defunct but was located at 12th & Harvey) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was residing at the time of his death at 3225 NW 16th, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He married Mae or May circa 1902 and in 1910 the U.S. Census shows they had two children and resided
at 225 West California Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Listed as roomer was Harry P. Lott, 38 from Pennsylvania. Both Wilkins and Lott identified themselves as ministers with a Holiness church.

Wilkins had come to Oklahoma from Missouri, by way of Texas before statehood in 1907. He and Rev. A.H. Beall with Rev. Harry P. Lott, who took a one time notorious saloon from the fringes of Oklahoma City's 'Hell's Half Acre' and turned it into a religious mission. The 'Blue Front Saloon' had been located at 7 West Grand and seen its share of wild and scandalous shootings and other activities.

The Blue Front Saloon was located at the corner of Grand Avenue and Santa Fe (7 Grand Avenue) in downtown Oklahoma City.  When  the saloon was established has yet to be discovered. It was mentioned as a wild locale in a newspaper account dated 1904. It was well known as a part of the rowdy "Hell's Half Acre" of Oklahoma City. Gunplay, gambling, prostitution and crime were rampent. The area had swiftly developed from its founding in 1889 and the town was filled with brick and morter structures within months of its birth. The saloon was described as being fronted by broad windows normally covered by blinds.

In 1904, a holiness school was opened  in western Oklahoma called the Beaulah Holiness School in the area of Becham and Carter counties. 1905, a group called the Fire Baptized Holiness Church, under the direction of J.H. King held a revival in the Lamont area. In that year, a group in Billings held a service where several people were baptized in the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and frightened many of the people attending the service!

In 1906, a revival began in far off Los Angeles that would have a direct impact on the life of many in Oklahoma. An African American holiness minister would begin a series of services in an old warehouse that would cross denominational, gender, and race lines in promoting a spiritual experience bringing the Book of Acts alive to a new century. These people sought redemption and experienced signs and wonders akin to the Biblical examples. People from across the nation who had been ardently seeking deeper spiritual experiences when to California to see first hand what was happening there. Some were shocked and left and others were certain that as Amie Simple McPherson would later say, "This is that", this was the experience the prophets had foretold. Those believed spilled out across the land sharing the vital new message of renewal and renewed spirituality.

In 1907, the notorious but now closed saloon was leased by two Holiness ministers and became the Blue Front Saloon Mission. In August of that same year the two men, R.B. Beall and O.C. Wilkins received what was known as the 'baptism of the Holy Spirit' and spoke in other tongues. It then became one of the first pentecostal churches in the central United States.

In about 1907-08  the renovated saloont was being pastored by Rev. H.P. Lott. He had been in a revival in Billings, Ok in 1905 when one of the earliest recorded instances of speaking in tongues and the classical Pentecostal experience occurred in Oklahoma. Under Lott's leadership the mission expanded to include a rescue home for 'wayward women'. This was a common outreach by churches and civic groups in a time when girls and women were often seduced and abandoned in a society that was often unforgiving of such falls from a moral high ground. The local prostitution business also sometimes used deceptive means to renew their 'stable' of workers. Young, naive girls coming to the city for the first time were often easy targets to lure into the trade or to assault and coerce into working in one of the houses or, as they were coyly called, 'resorts.'

Long bearing the label as the first Pentecostal church in Oklahoma, the Mission was relocated to 317 West California in the first of several moves of the congregation as it transitioned from independent holiness mission, to Fire Baptized Holiness mission, to Pentecostal Holiness mission and finally full church status.  In 1921 it moved to 423 W. California and then after 1946  it moved to Blackwelder and N.W. 9th Street and remained a Pentecostal Holiness Church through the 1990's.

1945 [M.H.Collection]

In 1907-1910, names associated as pastors include Wilkins, Beall, Lott.   In 1923 at the 423 W. California, S.N. Greene, and in the 1930's Dan T. Muse, and in the 1940's S. N. Green. In the late 1970's, at the 9th & Blackwelder location, the names include Richard Goad and Marvin J. Hudson. [more will be added as research continues].


Some Sources:
McGill, Albert. Satan Came Also. 1955
Paul, Harold. Dan T. Muse: From Printer's Devil to Bishop. 1975
U.S. Federal Census
Oklahoman
P.H.C. Yearbook