WILLIAM
E. RICHARDSON'S BOOK SPEAKING TONGUES: IS IT STILL THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT?
The
book was originally printed in 1994 by the Review and Herald but it has been
out of print for several years. Before proceeding with the reprint, I decided
to find out how many of our readers would be interested to purchase a copy of
this timely book. The response
surpassed my fondest expectations. I received pledges for orders from different
parts of the world, including from some Division offices. In the light of the overwhelming
interest, I hastily delivered the book to my printer who reprinted the book in
a record time of two weeks.
Let
me explain briefly, who is the author and why I decided to reprint the book.
Incidentally, as a rule I do not publish or reprint books of other authors,
because my hands are full with promoting and distributing the 18 books that I
have authored. The only other book
of another author that I have published, is More than a Prophet: How We
Lost and Found Again the Real Ellen White, by Prof. Graeme S.
Bradford.
I
published More than a Prophet because I believe that this book has been long overdue and will do a lot
to restore confidence in the validity of the gift of prophecy, manifested
in the writings, preaching, and teachings of Ellen White. The response has been most gratifying.
About 20 conferences in the USA and a few oversea, have donated the book to their workers. If you did not have
a chance before to order this timely book before, we still have a small supply
left of the second printing. We will be glad to mail you copies immediately.
To place an order call us at (269) 471-2915 or click at this link:
http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_28
William
Richardson, Ph. D., the author of Speaking in Tongues, has served with
distinction our Adventist church for over 35 years as Professor of NT, Chairman
of the Religion Department (my chairman for many years), and finally as the
Dean of the School of Art and Sciences. He has written numerous articles and
books.
Let
me explain why I decided to reprint Richardson's Speaking in Tongues. After reading a dozen of books and
scores of articles in preparation for chapter 8 "Speaking in Tongues"
of my book Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical?, I came to appreciate
Richardson's Speaking In Tongues for his clarity and objectivity.
Most
Adventist authors and literature have tried to prove that the gift of speaking
in tongues described in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14, are identical, namely,
the ability of speaking foreign languages. This position has been used to refute all charismatic
tongues-speakers as impostors, because they do not speak foreign languages, but
unintelligible, ecstatic utterances.
Through
a painstaking analysis of Acts 2 and
1 Corinthians 12-14, presented in his doctoral dissertation at Andrews
University, Richardson shows that there is a difference between the speaking in
tongues in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14. For one thing, the tongues in Acts 2 are known as languages
(dialektos) clearly understood by the Jews from different countries present in
Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. By contrast, the tongues in 1 Corinthians
12-14 are characterized as "sound-phonon" (1 Cor 14:10) that needed
to be interpreted. No interpretation was needed for tongue-speakers in Acts 2.
Ultimately
Richardson shows that a careful study of the restrictions Paul places on
tongues-speaking during the worship service, disqualifies much of the
Pentecostal speaking in tongues today as an unbiblical, illicit activity. The
confusion caused by several people speaking in tongues at the same time without
any translation, is an illicit activity clearly condemned by Scripture.
But
Richardson's concern, however, is to let Scripture speak for itself, rather
than twisting Scripture to make the gift of tongues something we want it to be.
His research shows that there can be instances when a believer is impressed by
the Spirit to pray or praise God with sounds too deep for words. Spiritual
realities are experienced in different ways by different people
I
believe that Richardson's book Speaking in Tongues is a most timely, witnessing
book, at a time when the Pentecostal/charismatic movements are growing 10 times
faster than our Adventist church, that is, at the rate of over 20 millions a
year, and thus becoming the second largest religious body in the world after
the Catholic Church. Their
membership today is already over 550 million and within 10 years it is expected
to reach 750 million.
Your
encouraging responses gave me the incentive that I needed to proceed
immediately with the reprint of Richardson's book Speaking in Tongues: Is It
Still the Gift of the Spirit? My
Adventist printer, Greg Patterson, who has served me with speed and efficiency
for many years, has promised to have the book delivered at our home by March 5,
2008, that is in about two weeks. At the time of the delivery I will be in
England with the outstanding soprano Cristina Piccardi, presenting our seminars
with words and songs at six rallies. But my able assistant will be in my
office. He will receive and process immediately all your orders.
INTRODUCTORY
OFFER UNTIL MAY 31 ON DR. RICHARDSON'S BOOK SPEAKING IN TONGUES: IS IT STILL
A GIFT OF THE SPIRIT?
1
copy of Speaking in Tongues at $25.00 per copy. Mailing expenses are
included for the USA. Add $10.00
for AIRMAIL postage to any
overseas destination.
10
copies of Speaking in Tongues at $7.00 per copy, postage paid, instead
of the regular price of $25.00. ($70.00 for 10 copies). Mailing expenses are
included for the USA. Add $40.00
for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.
30
copies (one case) of Speaking in Tongues at $5.00 per copy, postage paid. ($150.00 for 30 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the
USA. Add $80.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.
100
copies of Speaking in Tongues at $4.00 per copy, postage paid. ($400.00
for 100 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $160.00 for
AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.
HOW
TO ORDER SPEAKING IN TONGUES:
You
can order William Richardson's book Speaking in Tongues until May 31, 2008, in
four different ways:
(1) Online: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_36
(2) Phone: By calling us at (269)
471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.
(3) Email: By emailing your order
to <sbacchiocchi@biblicalperspectives.com>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date.
(4)
Regular Mail: By mailing a check to
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103,
USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.
HOW
TO ORDER Speaking in Tongues:
You
can order William Richardson's book Speaking in Tongues at the introductory
prices given above, in four different ways:
(1) Online: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_36
(2) Phone: By calling us at
(269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.
(3) Email: By emailing your order
to <sbacchiocchi@biblicalperspectives.com>.
Be sure to provide your postal
address, credit card number, and expiration date.
(4)
Regular Mail: By mailing a check to
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103,
USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.