Customer Reviews

The Beauty of Spiritual Language

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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 Speaking with tongues is neither unbiblical nor outdated. 2.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.

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.

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!

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.

Several years ago, I was given a copy of Dr. Jack W. Hayfords book "Rebuilding The Real You: Gods' Pathway To Personal Restoration". It turned my life around 180 degrees. As a wounded soldier of the cross at the time I needed it. "They Speak With Other Tongues" is an excellent resourse for furthering your knowledge of spiritual matters. Openness to the Holy Spirit is a must for any of it to benifit oneself, thus being more fitly empowered to do work for God. I am so glad to find the two books being sokd together with some savings to the readers. The Beauty Of Spiritual Language and They Speak With Other Tongues will always be a part of my library and I plan on buying more sets for gifts to others. To "Worship His Majesty" we must be open and willing vessels for Gods' use.

Prayerfully Submitted

Brian W. Keller

Pastor Jack Hayford has hit a homerun with this book. He not only gives clear biblical evidence for receiving a spiritual language, but also practical understanding for the gift. He gives great insight to the purpose and use of the gift and why it is so important for Christians to receive and use this gift in this day. He writes with grace and understanding, which will help any believer come to a better understanding of the spiritual language. 2 Thumbs Up!

Dr. Daniel Gilbert

Drawing from his own early difficulties with the issue of glossalalia/speaking in tongues, Foursquare pastor Jack Hayford, lends the most balanced approach (in print) concerning this "spiritual gift." Biblically-centered, historically, and emotionally balanced, Pastor Hayford issues an unmistakable, and reasonable defense for "spiritual language." The sub-title, "My journey to the heart of God" is most appropriate, because for the first 100 pages or so, Hayford details such a journey in his own life. The determined and deliberate focus on Christ as the center of one's spirituality makes this book a great pleasure to read, and leaves no believer asking, "well what's in it for me?" Jesus is, and will always be, the foundation for our spiritual life, and His gifts, through the power of the Holy Spirit, enrich our journey to God's heart. Jack Hayford, as usual, has done a masterful job in writing this valuable book.

I always trust Jack Hayford. He backed up everything he said with Scripture. Truly blessed by this book. Already having received the gift of Spiritual language, wanted to know more about it. Learned more...still digging.

Pastor Hayford has thoroughly explained the topic of praying in tongues. He does so by presenting some of his own experiences along with solid theological teaching. He answers many of the questions that I had about this topic and speaks to many of the misconceptions that I have heard expressed in the Christian community. Coming from a non-charismatic background, I have never received solid teaching on this subject and so had many questions about tongues. This book opened my eyes to what is available to the believer in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I wish that I had read it many years ago. I have and will continue to recommend it to other people.