The Speaking in Tongues Controversy: Reader Responses

Thank you for joining us to discuss Rick Walston’s book The Speaking in Tongues Controversy: The Initial, Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Cover from the 2003 Xulon edition.

Rick Walston, The Speaking in Tongues Controversy: The Initial, Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Fairfax, VA: Xulon Press, 2003), 235 pages.

 Editor Introduction

 Part 1 of A Narrative-Critical Response

 Part 2 of A Narrative-Critical Response

I would like to thank readers for sending us their comments, especially Pastor Bernal who is founder of New Life Consulting Ministries and a student at Columbia Evangelical Seminary.

Dear Editor, Raul Mock:

I am a little taken back that Dr. Rick Walston was asked to submit a rebuttal of the critique that Dr. Graves gave him within two issues of Pneuma Review, and then his rebuttal is not going to be published.

This is not academic nor is it responsible journalism. It is unfair and dishonoring to allow a critique of a person’s work, and then not give him a chance to respond to the critique.

I have known Dr. Walston for over ten years now, and he is not only academic in his writings, but a sincere and true Pentecostal.

I was very impressed with his book, The Speaking in Tongues Controversy and after reading it I remember saying, “Finally, someone who has the ability and intelligence to bring to light the issues that surround the controversy.” I also did not feel that he watered down, Pentecostal theology, or made steps backwards but rather, “blazed” a path forward to give pentecostals a clearer understanding of the presence and evidence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Sincerely,

Adrian A. Bernal

Response from the Editor

Greetings from the Pneuma Foundation.

Thank you for writing, Pastor Bernal, about the conversation the Pneuma Review has started about Dr. Walston’s book The Speaking in Tongues Controversy.

The editorial committee shares your disappointment about not hearing from Dr. Walston in the Pneuma Review regarding his book and the topic of initial evidence and separability/subsequence. Dr. Walston did submit a response to Robert Graves’ critique of his book, but we were unable to publish it as submitted. Dr. Walston has informed us that due to time constraints he will not be able to revise his response in the near future.

Readers, such as yourself, are invited to respond to Robert Graves and further this discussion about glossolalia as initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the separability and subsequence of that experience. There are many Pentecostal/charismatic leaders that disagree with Robert Graves’ conclusions. It would be helpful to hear from others why they disagree—even as they share core beliefs and the contemporary ministry of the Spirit.

Thank you again for writing. 

In the love of the Father,

Raul Mock

Executive Editor, Pneuma Review

Tags: controversy, reader, responses, speaking, tongues

Category: Spirit, Spring 2006