15th Oct 2001
Robert
J. Borer - Nebraska, USA
Dear Friends,
I am an ex-charismaniac
- not in the sense that I no longer believe that God does miracles at
times, but only in the sense of being done with nonsensical contemporary
notions about 'tongues' - and
the like. I was a devoted charismatic 'tongue'-talker (I call it
gibberish-talk now) for twenty years, 'praying in tongues' at times for
hours and weeks on end - because I was told that 'praying in tongues'
would edify me and build me up in my most holy faith.
As Providence
would have it, I found myself working for a ministry in Tulsa (between the
ages of 24 and 32 - ascending to the position of associate pastor before
I left), that pressed this doctrine to its logical conclusions
(which were ridiculous).
Through an
experience that I had with God, as well as through seeing this doctrine
carried to its logical conclusions, I began to ask myself some questions -
and I turned to the Bible for answers. For the first time in my life, I
started reading 1 Corinthians 12-14 as a whole, and with my mind in gear.
It took almost two years of reading, thinking, and praying
for understanding, for it to finally
get through to my brainwashed mind that what I had always been
taught about tongues wasn't anywhere in there. That,
in itself, is a miracle my
friends! I was died-in-the-wool charismatic. I never questioned it beyond
the time I first got "filled" and "spoke in tongues"
as a child of 12 years old.
But God did a
miracle in my life and transformed my thinking as I read His Word and
cried out for the truth. And when I found it, what a liberating day that
was!
Since then, I
have been searching and searching for something that deals reasonably,
responsibly, and comprehensively with this subject. (This subject
must be addressed, and contemporary nonsensical ideas about the nature of
'tongues' in Acts and Corinthians must be refuted if we are to turn the
tide of irrationalism and fanaticism that has
gripped and is flooding (and destroying) Christianity. 'Tongues' is
the pivotal issue and the doorway to the wide wide world of charismania
and spurious gifts. It is not enough to
simply say that it has passed away. The evidence is very weak for that
position (nonexistent in my opinion.) It must be dealt with by means of
defining what the Bible really means when it refers to 'tongues'.)
Well,
I found a work! I am close to
coming out with my own thesis on the subject - hopefully this winter, but
thesis or no thesis from me - charismatic nonsense has been dealt a
death-blow by Renton Maclachlan and his new book 'Tongues Revisited'
which you can order at: http://www.tonguesrevisited.com/ .
It is amazing how close Renton and I are in how we view this subject.
I
make no apologies about coming here with the express purpose to promote
this book. I have nothing to gain - except to see Christ honored. I had no
ties with Mr. Maclachlan before I stumbled upon his website about a month
ago (mid-September 2001). I hope and pray all of you will order the book,
read it, and refer it to all of your charismatic - and noncharismatic -
friends.
May
God bless you, and may He rescue the world from the deception and devilish
doctrine (and consequences) of gibberish. Of course, He needs
laborers with which to do that. The responsibility lies partly with you
and I.
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