The Beauty of Spiritual Language

by Jack Hayford and Jack W. Hayford

Book Overview

Jack Hayford's approach to speaking in tongues doesn't fit the stereotype. Revised and expanded with new content. People often think speaking in tongues is either gibberish or emotional exuberance.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0785272682
• ISBN13: 9780785272687
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Thoughtful addition to any library

The best thing about this book is the beautify of its prose. Jack Hayford knows how to write. This is a beautiful and compelling book about unveiling the mystery of speaking in tongues. Unlike most books on the Pentecostal experience, Jack writes with intelligence, insight, a keen eye to the Scripture and the ability to deal with the tough issues. The book is built on four premises: 1. Speaking with tongues is neither unbiblical nor outdated. 2. Speaking with tongues is not a transcendental experience. 3. Speaking with tongues is not a status symbol. 4. Speaking with tongues is not proposed as a substitute for spiritual growth.Earlier in my ministry, I was a big fan of both John McArthur and Hank Hanegraaff who take quite different positions on the tongues issue than Hayford. While I remain a fan of John McArthur, Hank Hanegraaff seems to have a virulent and divisive attitude toward the tongues phenomena. If you have been influenced by the likes of Hanegraaff, no matter what your position is on the tongues issue, you need to read this book. Hayford shows a depth of Christian maturity, scholarship and love that is often missing in charismatic debate. He provides the reader with credible alternative to the dry, dusty, doctrinal approach of Hanegraaff. For those who could not care less about the theological debate and just want to learn more about the tongues phenomena, this book is for you, Hayfords solid exegesis may give you a new perspective on tongues. This book would be a thoughtful addition to any personal library.

Amazingly helpful

When I picked up this book as a sixteen year-old in March of 2000 I was not only uninformed, but also misinformed about spiritual languages or, tounges. But Hayford presents this controversial topic in a very straightforward manner basing his writing on personal experiance and BIBLICAL EVIDENCE. I read the book twice in 48 hours, soaking in all that I could. I have since recieved the baptsim and infilling of the Holy Spirit, having now experianced the true beauty of spiritual language. Granted at times his writing seems less than fluid, but that doesn't hinder me from awarding this book five-stars. It presents the material logically in a way that a reader of any age could grasp. If you, like I was, are amoung the many who have resisted tounges labeling them as fanatical, selfish, or charismatic I would encourage you to open this book with an open mind, read a couple chapters and give God the opportunity to speak to you through the words of one of his servants in ministry, Jack Hayford.

A WONDERFULLY WRITTEN MASTERPIECE!

Jack Hayford is truly a man of God. In this book, he debunks all misconceptions, stereotypes, and prejudices that anti-Pentecostals/Charismatics have towards the practice of speaking in tongues. Jack writes in a very balanced and biblical way. He shows the "beauty" of tongues and shuns the sensational display that some sincere, yet misguided people show. He also shows that these instances of sensational display are rare and not nearly as common as anti-tongues people assume/insist. Tongues is a beautiful gift from the Holy Spirit and should be treated like that. Dr. Hayford genuinely (with a heart for God) breaks down bigoted barriers in a plea for all to accept and welcome the moving power of the Holy Spirit and to be open-minded when studying this practice. Forget all childhood presumptions you may have learned and honestly study the nature of speaking in tongues for yourself. This book will truly give you a new perspective. This is the greatest book I've EVER read and I recommend this to all who want an HONEST inquiry. ( ) Everyone should read this book and allow the Holy Spirit to transform them. I assure you...you WILL be liberated!

This book will Biblically ground you in the speaking gifts.

Jack Hayford has given the best, most thorough and balanced treatment on speaking in tongues I have ever read. Speaking as a participant, he shares how he reconciles the practice with the prevalent dispensationalist viewpoint. Speaking as a teacher, he explains the difference between a prayer language and the gift of tongues. He gives many examples of the use of the gift from real life experiences. Thirdly, speaking as a pastor, he explains how to allow freedom for congregants to function in the gifts while at the same time illustrating how to oversee the speaking gifts in the church according to scriptural guidelines. This book is a must for both pastors and people. It can contribute much toward the maturity and the unity of the church as a whole.

If you don't understand praying in tongues read this.

Jack Hayford has done a fantastic job explaining the phenomenon of speaking and praying in tongues. While Hayford is the pastor of a Foursquare church (a Pentecostal denomination), this book seems to be written for non-Pentecostals. It answers a lot of questions and I highly recommend it.