New
Testament Teaching On Tongues by Merrill F. Unger (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1971), 175pp, paperback, $9.23.
In
this book, the author attempts to answer questions that many in the Christian
community ask:� Is the practice of
speaking in tongues valid?� Can it be Scripturally sanctioned?�
What positive use or blessing does it have?� And have its fruits in modern charismatic
circles commended it to the church in general?
Dr.
Unger presents a �concise but thorough examination of all of the relevant New
Testament passages� along with �evidence of church history� to support his
conclusions.� He addresses the Charismatic Revivalism in the Church
today and then discusses the Meaning of
Pentecost in the first two chapters.�
Subsequently, he speaks about the relationship between Pentecost and Tongues before he talks
about the meaning of the Samaritan
Revival, Cornelius� Conversion, and the Ephesian Disciples� Conversion.�� A Summary of Tongues in the Book of Acts
is included in addition to a comparison of Tongues
with Spiritual Gifts.� This leads to
a treatise on the Permanency of Tongues,
the Superiority of Prophecy to Tongues,
the Purpose of Tongues, and the Regulation of Tongues.� Finally, Tongues
and Church History is offered as well as an Evaluation of Tongues Today.
Although
Dr. Unger�s book addresses the topic of Tongues from a dispensational point of
view (holding that they were temporary until the completion of the NT canon),
believers of all perspectives will benefit from a better understanding of the
function of tongues in New Testament times�especially their purpose as a sign
associated with the going forth of the gospel to various people groups in the
Book of Acts.� Dr. Unger is at his best
when identifying various ways in which passages involving tongues in the Book
of Acts are detached from their historical context to justify unbiblical
practices in our day.
The
author emphasizes that the Word of God rather than human experience should be
used to evaluate all manifestations of the spiritual realm�a much-needed
reminder in our day where many believers seek experiences which are not
grounded in Scripture.� For those who are
open to learning more about tongues from a dispensational perspective, this
book has much to commend it.
Reviewed
by