Philip La G. Du Toit

The Earliest View of New Testament Tongues

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Vellacott interacts with a wide range of scholars on the topic, arguing for a non-mainstream interpretation of tongues. He largely relies on the writings of the church father Epiphanius who understood tongues to refer to natural earthly languages. He then uses the Epiphanius perception of tongues as key to interpret references to tongues in the New Testament. Vellacott advances compelling arguments for the acceptance of Epiphanius’s interpretation that are worthy of consideration. His interpretation deserves to be accounted for in scholarship. The work is written in an accessible and engaging way. Since the topic of speaking in tongues is debated beyond academia, this book should appeal to a wider audience.”