The Speaking In Tongues Controversy

by Rick Walston

Book Overview

What others are saying... As an AG minister, I was especially interested in Dr. Walston's discussion of this topic. I found his arguments lucid, biblical, exegetical, and convincing. Rev. Kevin Potts,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591607620
• ISBN13: 9781591607625
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: Xulon Press
• Length: 236 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Really! I dont have to speak in tongues?

After talking with classical Pentecostals and reading other books on this topic, I was led to believe that I was not baptized in the Holy Spirit because I didn't speak in tongues. The overwhelming biblical evidence that Dr. Walston exegetes from the scriptures in this book, reaffirms my position that this simply is not true. I would recommend this book to everyone on either side of the aisle.

A "paradigm shift"

As a Classical Pentecostal, and a seminary graduate, I have always held to the belief that speaking in tongues is the initial, physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. That is not to say that I ever thought that one had to speak in tongues to be saved: I didn't. I just always thought, believed, was taught, and and taught others that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit was a subsequent-to-salvation, deeper experience in the Holy Spirit, and the initial, physical evidence of that post-salvific experience was speaking in tongues. This fit both with my personal experience and more than that, it fit with the Scriptures . . . or, at least I thought it did until I read this book. To say I was shocked to find a Biblical and logical argument against my long-held beliefs on this topic would be an understatement. Over my many years of theological training, I have read and heard great scholars like Roger Stronstad, Donald Fee, and Stanley M. Horton, et al, who have all assured me, with great passion and conviction, that speaking in tongues is the subsequent-to-salvation, deeper experience in the Holy Spirit, demonstrated by the initial, physical evidence of speaking in tongues. Really, I only read Dr. Walston's book out of a sense of in-house polemics rather than out of a sense of learning. What I got from it, however, was an education, both about the topic at hand and about proper Biblical hermeneutics (and much more). I know that the term "paradigm shift" has become a cliché, but this is truly the only way I can describe the result of reading Rick Walston's book. Shocking? Absolutely. Astounding? Undoubtedly. Different from what I had ever read before? Undeniably. Life changing? Indeed. In a word, Wow! Walston's logic, contra Dr. Robert Graves' review in in the Pneuma Review, was unshakable. After struggling through Walston's book, not for lack of excellent writing but for a lack of a personal desire to change, I finally became a convert. I now have a solid Biblical foundation for my position. I no longer simply parrot old teachings because someone told me to believe it. Walston never assumes that you should believe him because he "says so" as so many scholars often do. Walston proves his argument point for painful point. Did I want to "convert" to his way of thinking? Not in a million years. But, he has convinced me with such Biblical and scholarly acumen that I simply (well, not so simply) became a convert. So, if you like your traditional Classical, Pentecostal belief system and you do not want to change your perspective, then do not read this book. If, however, you wish to know the truth, and you wish to major on the same things that Luke majored on in the book of Acts, this book is for you.

The best one yet

I have read many books on this topic. This one is by far the best, most clear, and most biblical one I have found yet. Walston does a fantastic job of staying true to the Scriptures while dealing with a topic that has generated far more heat than light over the years. In short, Walston proves, from the Bible and not personal experiences, that Christians have the Holy Spirit baptism at conversion. Speaking in Tongues, while a valid gift for today, is not the evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

A View from the Outside

Read The Speaking in Tongues Controversy even (or perhaps especially) if you are not a Pentecostal. You will find within its pages a wealth of biblical exposition that will make you think. You will find lucid discussions of theology and hermeneutics. And you will find especially a Christ-like author who is both firm in his convictions and irenic in his arguments. You may remain a classically Reformed cessationist (as I did) after the reading, but your mind and your soul will be healthfully exercised for the effort. Enjoy!David W. Bailey, Ph.D.Pastor - Reformation Baptist Church

I plan to re-read it

I have never before been told in a nicer way that I was wrong in what I believed. Dr. Walston's irenic spirit shows through in every page of this book. I am not sure that I have "converted" to his way of thinking quite yet, but if ever there was a book that would convince me to change my position, this would be the book. I plan to re-read it very closely with my Bible in hand, and my preconceived ideas held at bay.