Steve Bremner - Nine Lies People Believe about Speaking in Tongues

Endorsements

Antagonistic polemics are often characterized by labeling ones opponent with the most extreme example of those who hold similar views as the opponent. Broad-brush polemics are the favorite tool of every crusading demagogue and pulpiteer who tries to build a following at someone elses expense. Just like Goldilocks had to work to find porridge that was neither too hot nor too cold, but just right, sometimes finding a perspective on a topic that is just right can be equally challenging in an emotionally charged polemic atmosphere.

The topic of glossolalia, which is speaking in tongues, has been just such a polarizing topic for over a century. It has been the victim of some very broad-brush polemics and overgeneralizations from both the pro and anti camps. The pull to the extremes of demeaning neglect and outright denunciation on the one hand, or an overemphasis and overvaluation on the other, are nearly irresistible. It is hard to find porridge that is just right.

In this work Steve Bremner addresses several of the worn-out myths, canards, and misrepresentations concerning the gift of tongues. Steve is unapologetic about his Pentecostal heritage in both theology and personal experience. In an easily readable style, Steve advocates for the spiritual value of speaking in other tongues while avoiding making it a metric for an alleged level of advanced spiritualitya chronic problem in many traditional Pentecostal environments. This book is not rigorously theological and academics might find fault with it. However, for those who are looking for a reachable primer on the topic from a pro perspective, I recommend this work from my good friend Steve Bremner.

DR. STEPHEN R. CROSBY
Stephanos Ministries
Monroe, NC
www.stevecrosby.org
www.stevecrosby.com

In a day of much ignorance, misunderstanding, and controversy regarding the Pentecostal phenomena of speaking in tongues, Steve Bremner does the body of Christ a great service in dealing with the lies that hinder many from receiving and functioning in this sacred heavenly language. The basic tendency of human nature is to reject what we dont understand. Give this book a chance and allow it to open the eyes of your understanding and shed new light on this vitally important subject.

BERT FARIAS
Holy Fire Ministries

While I havent yet met Steve in person, weve talked and interacted online quite a bit, and I have to tell you that the guy who writes the books is the guy I talk to in real life. He writes like he lives, and he lives like he writes. He is smart, funny, approachable, and down to earth. He makes truth about God, theology, and life clear and simple, without neglecting good scholarship for the theologically minded.

This book was fun to read. I was reminded of my own life several times while reading ittransitioning from a non-Pentecostal/charismatic denomination (Baptist, in my case; Plymouth Brethren in his) to a charismatic nondenominational stream, interacting with friends from both types of backgrounds over the years, making some of the mistakes Steves friends made in his story, watching my life and others lives get impacted as a result of this gift, and getting to help lots of people receive this aspect of the Holy Spirits ministry by walking them through the same truths found here.

In this book, Steve overcomes the most common difficulties people have with speaking in tongues by explaining the relevant Scriptures simply and to the point, with dashes of humor and his own life story thrown in for good measure. So if you want to learn more about speaking in tongueswhether or not you believe its for youthen this book is a good place to start. If you already believe but have had some type of difficulty receiving, this is also a great book to help you overcome the more common hindrances people run into. Get ready to receive this gift like we do every good thing God givesby grace through faith.

Great job, Steve! Keep em coming!

JOSHUA GREESON
Author of Gods Will Is Always Healing

Okay. I understand. Speaking in tongues is spooky to you or you think its way too weird for your taste. At the same time, something tells you that there has to be something to it. Steve Bremners book will help you ease into the solid truth of what speaking in tongues is all about. He is not forceful in his delivery, just informative, lovingly so. Youll be glad you read this book, even if for informative purposes. Its an easy read and will not bore you. Even if you already speak in tongues, this book will help you understand some points of interest you may not have thought about previously. It also gives you great pointers to share when those who dont understand why people speak in tongues approach you. Enjoy the read while increasing your knowledge for life.

DR. SHANE WALL
Author of Understanding

Speaking in tongues is not as weird as you think. Steve beautifully removes fear that hinders many from enjoying one of the most beautiful gifts given from God, by clearly articulating his experience in a refreshing and relatable teaching.

JEREMY MANGERCHINE
Author of The Longest Bridge Across Water

Jesus prophesied in Mark 16:17 that all those who believe in him will speak in other tongues. Only a few days after he uttered those words, his promise was fulfilled. In Acts 2:1-4 we see Gods prototype churchthe first of its kindand 100 percent of them began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (NIV). No one was excluded. But due to well-meaning, confused people in the body of Christ throughout the centuries, many lies have developed about this gift from God (most or all of them in the last century alone).

Thankfully, God sent another gift to the churcha guy named Steve Bremnerwho has masterfully tackled the most common lies people believe with tact, whit, Scripture, and sensibility. If youve ever had questions about speaking in tongues, or if youve ever been challenged about your beliefs, this book is sure to give you the confidence you need to move forward in your faith and even lead others into the experience we call the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

ART THOMAS
Missionary-Evangelist and CEO of
Wildfire Ministries International

Its not easy to take on a complex and controversial subject like speaking in tongues. Steve has shown great courage in tackling this spirited issue and has done so in a way that encourages us instead of making us feel judged or condemned. Steve exposes some critical misconceptions that many of us dont even know we have but should be thrilled to pull out of our theology. His goal is clear in his desire to help us move closer to Jesus and enjoy the gifts hes made available to us. This is an important work and my understanding has grown because of it.

JESSE BIRKEY
Author of Life Resurrected: Extraordinary
Miracles through Ordinary People

The view that supernatural Christianity has passed away subconsciously suggests that God gave better gifts to the saints in the Bible than he gives to us today: Sorry, I see you need help, but I only helped those who lived when I was constructing the Bible. We would never imagine God saying something like this to his people, but this is exactly what cessationism implies. Our God is supernatural and he loves us just as much today as he loved the disciples on the day he poured his Spirit out on them. They began to speak in languages they had never learned before. This was a statement that God would transcend communication so that his power and love could fill the earth. Speaking in tongues is essential to the expansion of the kingdom of God. It is a key foundation gift for every believer.

Steve Bremner is a man who embodies this gift. He writes from his life, and shares in this book a much-needed paradigm for the understanding and activation of this gift.