David Bernard was the founder of New Life Church of
Austin, Texas, out of which 16 additional churches were started under his leadership. He was also the founding president of
Urshan University and Urshan Graduate School of Theology and currently teaches as a professor of Biblical Studies and Apostolic Leadership at Urshan Graduate School of Theology. He received his
Master of Theology and
Doctor of Theology in New Testament from the
University of South Africa, his
Juris Doctor with honors from the
University of Texas, and a
Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude in
mathematical sciences and managerial studies from
Rice University. He has authored 37 books with a reported circulation of 900,000 in 39 languages. His book,
The New Birth (1984), is said to have been used more extensively than any other to demonstrate the beliefs of Oneness Pentecostals since publication. Other works regarded as notable include
The Oneness of God (1983) and
The Oneness of Jesus Christ (1994). Bernard has also engaged in scholarly dialogue with
trinitarians which has been welcomed by some in the wider
pentecostal community. A "Trinity-Oneness Dialogue" also emerged at
Society for Pentecostal Studies during this time. Bernard chaired the Oneness team. More recently, Amos Young, a professor at
Fuller Theological Seminary, wrote that his work "marks the emerging maturation of the Oneness Pentecostal academy." ==Works==