Speaking)in)Tongues)(Glossolalia))

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1 Speaking)in)Tongues)(Glossolalia)) OneofthedefiningcharacteristicsofPentecostalandCharismaticChristianityis thephenomenonofspeakinginstrangelanguages.itisbelievedthatthisisa miraculousgiftfromtheholyspirit,thatitcontinuesapracticeoftheapostles themselves,andthatitisevenasignofgod sfavour.peoplewhospeakin tonguesconsiderittobeanexperienceofconnectingwithgod,asuperiorform ofprayerinfact.somewillevengosofarastosaythatchristianswhodonot speakintonguesareseriouslydeficientaschristians. Allofthesebeliefsarehighlysuspect.Butdon ttakemywordforit;hereisthe evidenceandyoucanmakeupyourownmind.youwillfindmuchofthe informationbelowinthewikipediaentryon Glossolalia,whereitisquitewell referenced.ihaveseparatelyreferencedinformationfromothersources. Firstly,ifspeakingintonguesweretrulyagiftoftheHolySpirit,onewould expectittobeuniquetothosewhobelieveinthechristianconceptoftheholy Spirit.Butinreality,speakingintonguesorglossolaliawasnotonlypracticedby pagancultswellbeforechristianitybegan,butcontinuestopracticedbynonl Christianstoday.GeraldHoverton 1 documentsinstancesoftheancientpagan practiceofglossolaliadatingbackpossiblyasfaras2000bc,andincludingthe cultofthegreekgoddionysius: outburstsrangingfromthearticulatecallingon thenameofthegod,toinarticulateejaculationsofmeresoundsinvoluntarily voiced.proclamations,exclamationsandunintelligibleutterancesflowfroma deliriousmouthunderthespellofthegod 2. Inmoderntimes,onecanfindglossolaliabeingpracticedbyHindufakirsand gurus+inindiaandeven,worryingly,byvoodoopractitionersinhaitiamong manyothersthathavebeendocumented.itturnsoutthatglossolaliaisquite widespreadacrossthenonlchristianworld.itmightbearguedthatthedevilcan mimicgiftsofgodinordertoconfuseus.butitwouldseemstrangethatthe pagansbeganspeakingintonguesfirst,forthenitseemsthatitisthechristians whoaremimickingthepagansandthatislikelytohavebeenthecase.first centurychristianswhowerenotjewishwerepagansbeforetheyconverted.we knowfrommanyothersourcesthattheysometimesbroughtpaganideasand practicesintotheirnewfoundfaith.itisinterestingtonotethatthechurchin Corinth,theChurchinwhichglossolaliawassoprominentthatStPaulhadto wrotetothemaboutit,wasachurchcomposedmostlyofwealthypagan converts 3 strugglingwithhedonism,achurchstrugglingtosortouthowit shoulddealwiththeprevalentidolatryofitswidersociety 4.Itisquitepossible thatthecorinthianchristiansimportedintotheirnewfoundfaiththepagan 1GeraldOverton. SpeakinginTongues:TheNewTestamentEvidenceinContext.Continuum InternationalPublishingGroup(2002). 2Overtonop.cit.page15. 3 YouknowthatyouwereGentiles,carriedawaytothesedumbidols,howeveryouwereled. 1 Corinthians12:2. 4OrthodoxStudyBible:Introductionto1Corinthians,ThomasNelson,publishers(2008);and TyndaleNewTestamentCommentaries(RevisedEdition)1Corinthians,Introduction:Leon Morris,IVP(1985).

2 practiceofglossolaliaalongwithalltheotherpaganideasandpracticesthatst Pauladdressesinhisletterstothem 5. Secondly,wemustnotconfuseglossolaliawithxenolalia.Whentheapostles spokewithdifferentlanguagesonthedayofpentecost,thosewhoheardthem understoodwhattheyweresaying.thisisacrucialdifferencetowhatwasgoing onatcorinth,andwhatgoesoninpentecostalchurchestoday. Xenolalia isthe miraculousabilitytospeakinareallanguagethatonehasnotlearned. Glossolalia istheabilitytospeakinsomethingthatsoundslikealanguage,but isnotactuallyanyknownlanguage,andthatoften,nooneunderstands. Xenolaliaisquiterare.Itisvirtuallyimpossibletoexplainbyinvokingany naturalprocess apersonwhodoesnotknowswahilicannotpossibly accuratelyimitateit.ontheotherhand,glossolaliaisquitecommon,andthere aremanygoodtheoriesthatexplainitasanaturalpsychologicalphenomenon (wewillconsidersomeofthesebelow).sincenoonecanunderstandwhatis beingsaid,anyonecouldmakesoundswiththetoneandrhythmofreallanguage andsoundlikethey respeakingareallanguagewheninfacttheyarejust speakinggibberish. IknowofatleastonecaseofpostLapostolicxenolaliainCoptichistory.Thestory goesthatstpachomius,thefatherofcommunalmonasticism,wasvisitedbya foreignmonkonedayandfeltashamedthathewasnotabletoconversewith himtowelcomehimandtosharespiritualexperienceswithhim.sohewentto anotherroomandprayedforgod shelp.hesuddenlyfoundascrollinhishand whichapparentlygavehimtheabilitytospeaktheforeignmonk slanguage,thus allowingthemtocommunicatewitheachother. ThegiftofxenolaliawasgiventotheApostlesonthedayofPentecostforthe specificpurposeofallowingalargelyuneducatedgroupofpeopletopreachthe GospelofChristtovisitorstoJerusalemwhoseforeignlanguagestheydidnot know.itwouldseemthatasconvertstochristianitywiththenaturalknowledge offoreignlanguagesbecameevangelists,theneedforthisgiftsoondiedout.and thatindeedisthepicturewefindintheancientrecordofthefirstcenturiesof Christianity.Thereappeartobefivedirectreferencestospeakingintonguesin thenewtestament.itisworthconsideringeachoftheseinturn. A.#Mark#16:17# 17+And+these+signs+will+follow+those+who+believe:+In+My+name+they+will+cast+out+ demons;+they+will+speak+with+new+tongues;+18+they+will+take+up+serpents;+and+if+they+ drink+anything+deadly,+it+will+by+no+means+hurt+them;+they+will+lay+hands+on+the+ sick,+and+they+will+recover.+ ThesewordsarespokenshortlybeforetheAscensionofChrist,whichwas followedtendayslaterbythedescentoftheholyspirituponthedisciplesonthe 5Seealso:EkaputraTupamahu GlossolaliaPhenomenoninOtherReligionsLPart1.Posted24th May2008athttp://tupamahu.blogspot.com.au/2008/05/glossolaliaLphenomenonLinLother.html accessedaugust2012.thisisaverywellreferencedarticlewrittenbyachristianwhopractices glossolaliaandinfactbelievesittobebeneficial.andyet,admirably,hehonestlydocumentsthe paganoriginsofthepractice.

3 dayofpentecost.itwouldbereasonabletoassumethatthepentecostgiftofthe Spiritisbeingreferredto. B.#Acts#2:1113# 1+When+the+Day+of+Pentecost+had+fully+come,+they+were+all+with+one+accord+in+one+ place.+2+and+suddenly+there+came+a+sound+from+heaven,+as+of+a+rushing+mighty+ wind,+and+it+filled+the+whole+house+where+they+were+sitting.+3+then+there+appeared+ to+them+divided+tongues,+as+of+fire,+and+one+sat+upon+each+of+them.+4+and+they+were+ all+filled+with+the+holy+spirit+and+began+to+speak+with+other+tongues,+as+the+spirit+ gave+them+utterance.+ 5+And+there+were+dwelling+in+Jerusalem+Jews,+devout+men,+from+every+nation+under+ heaven.+6+and+when+this+sound+occurred,+the+multitude+came+together,+and+were+ confused,+because+everyone+heard+them+speak+in+his+own+language.+7+then+they+ were+all+amazed+and+marveled,+saying+to+one+another,+ Look,+are+not+all+these+who+ speak+galileans?+8+and+how+is+it+that+we+hear,+each+in+our+own+language+in+which+ we+were+born?+9+parthians+and+medes+and+elamites,+those+dwelling+in+ Mesopotamia,+Judea+and+Cappadocia,+Pontus+and+Asia,+10+Phrygia+and+Pamphylia,+ Egypt+and+the+parts+of+Libya+adjoining+Cyrene,+visitors+from+Rome,+both+Jews+and+ proselytes,+11+cretans+and+arabs we+hear+them+speaking+in+our+own+tongues+the+ wonderful+works+of+god. +12+So+they+were+all+amazed+and+perplexed,+saying+to+one+ another,+ Whatever+could+this+mean? + 13+Others+mocking+said,+ They+are+full+of+new+wine. + Thisisclearlyacaseofxenolalia,notglossolalia.Thevisitorsfromotherlands heard, eachinourownlanguage (verse8)thewordsoftheapostles.theydid nothearalanguagetheycouldnotunderstand,butweresurprisedbythevery factthattheycouldunderstandandindeedrecogniselanguageslikeparthian, Median,Egyptianandsoon.Andthepurposeofthisgiftisalsoclear: Wehear themspeakinginourowntonguesthewonderfulworksofgod (verse11) the relativelyuneducatedapostleswerenowempoweredtopreachtoallnations, justasjesushadcommandedthem(matthew28:19).andthemiracleoftheirgift wasinitselfanimpressivesignofthepowerofgod. Hadthiseventbeenmerelyglossolaliainsteadofxenolalia,thehearerswould nothavebeennearlysoimpressed.whatissoimpressiveaboutsomeone utteringgibberishthatnooneunderstands?notonlythat,butiftheyhadany experienceofpaganreligiouspractices,astheysurelymusthave,theywould haverecognisedglossolaliaimmediatelyanddismisseditasapaganpractice. Buttheydidnot,andtheirreactionemphasisesthatdifferencebetweenthis genuinepentecostgiftandthepracticesstpauldealtwithinthechurchof Corinth,whichweshallseebelow. C.#Acts#10:44148# 44+While+Peter+was+still+speaking+these+words,+the+Holy+Spirit+fell+upon+all+those+ who+heard+the+word.+45+and+those+of+the+circumcision+who+believed+were+ astonished,+as+many+as+came+with+peter,+because+the+gift+of+the+holy+spirit+had+been+ poured+out+on+the+gentiles+also.+46+for+they+heard+them+speak+with+tongues+and+ magnify+god.+

4 Then+Peter+answered,+47+ Can+anyone+forbid+water,+that+these+should+not+be+ baptized+who+have+received+the+holy+spirit+just+as+we+have? +48+And+he+ commanded+them+to+be+baptized+in+the+name+of+the+lord.+then+they+asked+him+to+ stay+a+few+days.+ ThiseventoccursnotlongafterthedayofPentecost.Ifwereaditincontext,we findtheaimofthepassageistoshowthatthegentilesarejustasworthyof receivingtheholyspiritandofbeingbaptisedaschristiansasthehebrews.this ofcoursewasaboneofcontentionintheearliestdaysofthechurch,sinceallthe firstchristianswerejewishandsomeofthesethoughtthat,liketheold Testament,theywerestillGod schosenpeople.heregodemphasisesthathehas acceptedallracesashischosenpeople.inthisrareoccurrence,thegentiles presentreceivethegiftoftheholyspiritbeforetheyarebaptised,notafter. ThosewhodoubtedthattheseGentileswereworthyofbaptismhadtoeattheir wordswhentheysawthemspeakingintonguesjustastheapostleshadshortly before.godwasinterveningpersonallytoprovethispoint. Thispointwouldnothavebeenmadehadtheybeenspeakingunintelligible sounds.thepagansdothatanyway,sowhyshouldthatconvincethejewsthat GodhadgiventhemHissealofapproval?Further,wearetoldthatthosewho heardthem,heardthem magnifygod intongues(verse46),sotheymusthave actuallyunderstoodwhattheyweresaying.withoutadoubt,thistoowasacase ofxenolaliaandnotglossolalia. D.#Acts#19:117# 1+And+it+happened,+while+Apollos+was+at+Corinth,+that+Paul,+having+passed+through+ the+upper+regions,+came+to+ephesus.+and+finding+some+disciples+2+he+said+to+them,+ Did+you+receive+the+Holy+Spirit+when+you+believed? + So+they+said+to+him,+ We+have+not+so+much+as+heard+whether+there+is+a+Holy+Spirit. + 3+And+he+said+to+them,+ Into+what+then+were+you+baptized? + So+they+said,+ Into+John's+baptism. + 4+Then+Paul+said,+ John+indeed+baptized+with+a+baptism+of+repentance,+saying+to+the+ people+that+they+should+believe+on+him+who+would+come+after+him,+that+is,+on+christ+ Jesus. + 5+When+they+heard+this,+they+were+baptized+in+the+name+of+the+Lord+Jesus.+6+And+ when+paul+had+laid+hands+on+them,+the+holy+spirit+came+upon+them,+and+they+spoke+ with+tongues+and+prophesied.+7+now+the+men+were+about+twelve+in+all.+ Wehavenowmovedforwardintime,someyearsafterthatdayofPentecost.The eventsinthispassagearegenerallydatedtosometimeinthe50sad,around twentytothirtyyearsaftertheresurrectionofchrist.churcheshavebeen establishedallaroundthemediterraneansea,andthisappearstobestpaul s secondvisittoephesusandpartofhisthirdmissionaryjourney.havingonly beenbaptisedwiththebaptismofrepentanceofstjohnthebaptist,thetwelve menwerenowbaptisedsacramentallybystpaulwiththechristianbaptism, afterwhichtheyreceivedthesacramentofthelayingonofhandsandthe descentoftheholyspirituponthem.theredoesnotseemtobeenough evidenceinthistexttodistinguishdefinitivelywhethertheirsubsequent speakingintongueswasxenolaliaorglossolalia,buttheformerwouldbemore

5 likely,giventhatthedescentoftheholyspiritatthehandsofanapostlewas seenascontinuingtheworkofpentecost.thenumber twelve mayalsobea referencetothediscipleswhoreceivedthisgiftoftheholyspiritonthedayof Pentecost,thoughthatismerespeculation. Sofar,thefourreferencesintheNewTestamenthaveallbeentoxenolalia (althoughoneisuncertain).wehavecertainlynotseenanythingsofarthat wouldmakeusthinkthatglossolaliawaspracticedanywhereinthenew TestamentChurch.Infact,theonlythingthatdoesmakeusthinkthisisthelast ofourreferencesfromthenewtestament,thecontroversialpassagesinthest Paul sfirstlettertothecorinthians. E.#1#Corinthans#chapters#12,#13#&#14.# 12:2+You+know+that+you+were+Gentiles,+carried+away+to+these+dumb+idols,+however+ you+were+led.+ 12:7+But+the+manifestation+of+the+Spirit+is+given+to+each+one+for+the+profit+of+all:+8+ for+to+one+is+given+the+word+of+wisdom+through+the+spirit,+to+another+the+word+of+ knowledge+through+the+same+spirit,+9+to+another+faith+by+the+same+spirit,+to+ another+gifts+of+healings+by+the+same+spirit,+10+to+another+the+working+of+miracles,+ to+another+prophecy,+to+another+discerning+of+spirits,+to+another+different+kinds+of+ tongues,+to+another+the+interpretation+of+tongues.+ 12:28+And+God+has+appointed+these+in+the+church:+first+apostles,+second+prophets,+ third+teachers,+after+that+miracles,+then+gifts+of+healings,+helps,+administrations,+ varieties+of+tongues.+29+are+all+apostles?+are+all+prophets?+are+all+teachers?+are+all+ workers+of+miracles?+30+do+all+have+gifts+of+healings?+do+all+speak+with+tongues?+do+ all+interpret?+31+but+earnestly+desire+the+best+gifts.+and+yet+i+show+you+a+more+ excellent+way :1+Though+I+speak+with+the+tongues+of+men+and+of+angels,+but+have+not+love,+I+ have+become+sounding+brass+or+a+clanging+cymbal.+ 13+And+now+abide+faith,+hope,+love,+these+three;+but+the+greatest+of+these+is+love.+ 14:1+Pursue+love,+and+desire+spiritual+gifts,+but+especially+that+you+may+prophesy.+2+ For+he+who+speaks+in+a+tongue+does+not+speak+to+men+but+to+God,+for+no+one+ understands+him;+however,+in+the+spirit+he+speaks+mysteries.+3+but+he+who+ prophesies+speaks+edification+and+exhortation+and+comfort+to+men.+4+he+who+ speaks+in+a+tongue+edifies+himself,+but+he+who+prophesies+edifies+the+church.+5+i+wish+ you+all+spoke+with+tongues,+but+even+more+that+you+prophesied;+for+he+who+ prophesies+is+greater+than+he+who+speaks+with+tongues,+unless+indeed+he+interprets,+ that+the+church+may+receive+edification.+ 6+But+now,+brethren,+if+I+come+to+you+speaking+with+tongues,+what+shall+I+profit+you+ unless+i+speak+to+you+either+by+revelation,+by+knowledge,+by+prophesying,+or+by+ teaching?+7+even+things+without+life,+whether+flute+or+harp,+when+they+make+a+ sound,+unless+they+make+a+distinction+in+the+sounds,+how+will+it+be+known+what+is+ piped+or+played?+8+for+if+the+trumpet+makes+an+uncertain+sound,+who+will+prepare+ for+battle?+9+so+likewise+you,+unless+you+utter+by+the+tongue+words+easy+to+ understand,+how+will+it+be+known+what+is+spoken?+for+you+will+be+speaking+into+the+ air.+10+there+are,+it+may+be,+so+many+kinds+of+languages+in+the+world,+and+none+of+ them+is+without+significance.+11+therefore,+if+i+do+not+know+the+meaning+of+the+ language,+i+shall+be+a+foreigner+to+him+who+speaks,+and+he+who+speaks+will+be+a+

6 foreigner+to+me.+12+even+so+you,+since+you+are+zealous+for+spiritual+gifts,+let+it+be+for+ the+edification+of+the+church+that+you+seek+to+excel.+ 13+Therefore+let+him+who+speaks+in+a+tongue+pray+that+he+may+interpret.+14+For+if+I+ pray+in+a+tongue,+my+spirit+prays,+but+my+understanding+is+unfruitful.+15+what+is+ the+conclusion+then?+i+will+pray+with+the+spirit,+and+i+will+also+pray+with+the+ understanding.+i+will+sing+with+the+spirit,+and+i+will+also+sing+with+the+ understanding.+16+otherwise,+if+you+bless+with+the+spirit,+how+will+he+who+occupies+ the+place+of+the+uninformed+say+ Amen +at+your+giving+of+thanks,+since+he+does+not+ understand+what+you+say?+17+for+you+indeed+give+thanks+well,+but+the+other+is+not+ edified.+ 18+I+thank+my+God+I+speak+with+tongues+more+than+you+all;+19+yet+in+the+church+I+ would+rather+speak+five+words+with+my+understanding,+that+i+may+teach+others+ also,+than+ten+thousand+words+in+a+tongue.+ 20+Brethren,+do+not+be+children+in+understanding;+however,+in+malice+be+babes,+but+ in+understanding+be+mature.+ 21+In+the+law+it+is+written:+ With+men+of+other+tongues+and+other+lips+ I+will+speak+to+this+people;+ And+yet,+for+all+that,+they+will+not+hear+Me, +says+the+lord.+ 22+Therefore+tongues+are+for+a+sign,+not+to+those+who+believe+but+to+unbelievers;+but+ prophesying+is+not+for+unbelievers+but+for+those+who+believe.+23+therefore+if+the+ whole+church+comes+together+in+one+place,+and+all+speak+with+tongues,+and+there+ come+in+those+who+are+uninformed+or+unbelievers,+will+they+not+say+that+you+are+out+ of+your+mind?+24+but+if+all+prophesy,+and+an+unbeliever+or+an+uninformed+person+ comes+in,+he+is+convinced+by+all,+he+is+convicted+by+all.+25+and+thus+the+secrets+of+his+ heart+are+revealed;+and+so,+falling+down+on+his+face,+he+will+worship+god+and+report+ that+god+is+truly+among+you.+ 26+How+is+it+then,+brethren?+Whenever+you+come+together,+each+of+you+has+a+psalm,+ has+a+teaching,+has+a+tongue,+has+a+revelation,+has+an+interpretation.+let+all+things+ be+done+for+edification.+27+if+anyone+speaks+in+a+tongue,+let+there+be+two+or+at+the+ most+three,+each+in+turn,+and+let+one+interpret.+28+but+if+there+is+no+interpreter,+let+ him+keep+silent+in+church,+and+let+him+speak+to+himself+and+to+god.+29+let+two+or+ three+prophets+speak,+and+let+the+others+judge.+30+but+if+anything+is+revealed+to+ another+who+sits+by,+let+the+first+keep+silent.+31+for+you+can+all+prophesy+one+by+one,+ that+all+may+learn+and+all+may+be+encouraged.+32+and+the+spirits+of+the+prophets+ are+subject+to+the+prophets.+33+for+god+is+not+the+author+of+confusion+but+of+peace,+ as+in+all+the+churches+of+the+saints.+ 37+If+anyone+thinks+himself+to+be+a+prophet+or+spiritual,+let+him+acknowledge+that+ the+things+which+i+write+to+you+are+the+commandments+of+the+lord.+38+but+if+ anyone+is+ignorant,+let+him+be+ignorant.+ 39+Therefore,+brethren,+desire+earnestly+to+prophesy,+and+do+not+forbid+to+speak+ with+tongues.+40+let+all+things+be+done+decently+and+in+order.+ Thislongpassageisagreedbyalltobedirectedatthosewhohadbeencausing disorderandconfusionamongthecorinthiansattheirchurchgatherings.itis partofaletterwhichalsoaddressesnotonlydisorderingatherings,butmany otherundesirabletrendsthathaddevelopedinthischristiancommunity.nowit iseasytotakeversesoutofcontextandusethemtosupportthemodernpractice ofglossolalia,butwedonotwanttodothat.wewanttounderstandthetrue

7 purposeofstpaul swordsasaccuratelyandasobjectivelyaswecan.whatisthe essenceofwhatstpaulissaying? 1. IncontrasttotheotherNewTestamentreferencestospeakingintongues, thiswasdefinitelynotxenolaliabutglossolalia: Forhewhospeaksina tonguedoesnotspeaktomenbuttogod,fornooneunderstandshim (14:2). 2. StPaulisnotcommandingthemtostopspeakingintongues: Iwishyou allspokewithtongues (14:5);and donotforbidtospeakwithtongues (14:39). 3. Yettherewasclearlysomedisagreementoverwhetherpeopleshould speakintonguesintheirgatherings: donotforbidtospeakwith tongues (14:39)impliesthatsomeCorinthianswantedtoforbid speakingintongues,andstpaulwasnotsupportingthem. 4. StPaulhimselfwasnotonlyabletospeakintongues,butheexcelledatit: IthankmyGodIspeakwithtonguesmorethanyouall (14:18). 5. However,StPaulalsoquiteclearlyisnothappywiththewaythe Corinthiansunderstoodthispractice,norwiththewaytheywere practicingit,andwantedthemtomakesomedrasticchanges: a. Hesawtheircurrentpracticesasconfusedandconfusing,andas such,notinspiredbytheholyspiritofgod: ForGodisnotthe authorofconfusionbutofpeace (14:33). b. Hewantedthemtolimitthenumberofpeoplewhospokein tonguestotwoorthreeatthemost; Ifanyonespeaksinatongue, lettherebetwooratthemostthree,eachinturn, (14:27). c. Hedidnotwantthemtogoonallnight. d. Hedidnotwanteveryonedoingit: Doallspeakwithtongues? (12:30). e. Hedidnotseeitasthe mainattraction,butmerelyasidelshow.if itneverhappened,hewouldhavebeenquitehappy: yetinthe churchiwouldratherspeakfivewordswithmyunderstanding, thatimayteachothersalso,thantenthousandwordsinatongue (14:19). f. Heinsistedthatbeingabletodoamazingthingslikespeakingin tonguescountedfornothinginitself.itisonlywhenanactcomes fromgenuineagapelovethatitbecomesvaluable: ThoughIspeak withthetonguesofmenandofangels,buthavenotlove,ihave becomesoundingbrassoraclangingcymbal (13:1). g. Heinsistedthatifsomeonespokeinatongue,someonehadto interpretwhatwassaidintoalanguagethateveryonecould understand.otherwise,theyshouldnotspeakintongues: and letoneinterpret.butifthereisnointerpreter,lethimkeepsilent inchurch,andlethimspeaktohimselfandtogod (14:27,28). h. Ifnooneunderstoodwhatwasbeingsaid,thenspeakingin tongueswastobeaprivatematter: Hewhospeaksinatongue edifieshimself,buthewhoprophesiesedifiesthechurch (14:4). Thespeakershouldnotdisturbtherestofthegatheringwithhis utterances.

8 Theoverallpicturewegainthen,isofachurchwherepeopleweretryingto outdoeachotherinthespiritualgiftsandusingthingslikespeakingintongues fortheirownpleasureratherthanforhebuildingupoftheirfellowchristiansin love.thetenorofthepassageisoneofadmonition.speakingintonguesmaybe nicebetweenyouandgod,butyouwillhavetostopspeakingintonguesorat leastseverelylimititifyouarejustgoingtodoitforyourownbenefit.infact,to makesurenoonedoesspeakintonguesselfishly,ifyouspeakinatongueyou mustinterpretwhatyousaidsoeveryonecanunderstandit.ifyoucan t,then staysilent.theneteffectofstpaul swordswouldtendtowardsthecomplete eradicationofpublicglossolaliafromehchurch,particularlyiftherewasnoone whocouldinterpretwhatwasbeingsaid.asweshallseebelow,itisoneofthe characteristicsofglossolaliathatthesoundshavenomeaning(iwonderifst Paulknewthishimself,butdidn twanttodiscouragethecorinthians?). MostPentecostalChurchestodayseemnottoheedStPaul sadvice.thereisa strongemphasisontheimportanceofglossolaliaasasignofthefavourofthe HolySpirituponthepersonwhocanpracticeit.Christianswhodonotspeakin tonguesaretoldtheyarenotcompletechristians.pressureisputonpentecostal teenagers,ofteninverysubtleways,untiltheybegintospeakintongues.ifthey don t,theyaremadetofeelsomehowdeficientorinferior.andcontrarytost Paul squiteexplicitcommand,verylittleinterpretationgoeson.what interpretationdoesoccurmaybefranklyfraudulent 6.Whatoneseesmostlyisa multitudeofpeople,allapparentlyinanecstaticstate,allspeakingatonceand lollingtheirheadsaboutincompleteselflabsorption.theywoulddowelltoheed StPaul sadvice Sowhatisgoingonwhentoday spentecostalchristiansspeakintongues?what isthecauseifitisnottheholyspirit?thereareanynumberoftheoriesaround, butclearlysomearebetterthanothers.somehavespeculatedthatglossolaliais agenuinelysupernaturalphenomenon,butratherthanbeingfromgod,is insteadatrickofthedevilintendedtoconfuseanddistractchristiansfromthe thingsthatreallymatter.butingeneral,ifanaturalexplanationforsomething canbefound,thatispreferabletoasupernaturalexplanation.arethereany naturalexplanations? Tonguespeakersoftenlookliketheyareinahypnotictrance.Couldglossolalia justbesomekindofhypnoticstateorstateofalteredconsciousness?onestudy testedthishypothesisandfoundthattwelveexperiencedtonguelspeakerswere abletospeakintongueswhilewideawake,witheyesopen,andevenperforming voluntarybodymovements 7.Theyconclude: FindingsareconsistentwithnonL tranceformulationsthatconceptualizetheacquisitionandmaintenanceof glossolaliaintermsofsocialllearningvariables.inotherwords,theyweren t hypnotised,buttheyhaveprobablylearnedtocopyothers. 6Anecdotalevidencefromaservant(nowapriest):heandtwofriendsattendedaPentecostal meetinginegypt.whentheaudiencewasinvitedtocomeforwardandspeakintongues,the servantcameforwardandpurposelymadenonsensesounds.uponfinishing,thepastorgavean eloquent translation ofwhathehadsaid 7Spanos,NicholasP.;Hewitt,ErinC. Glossolalia:Atestofthe"trance"andpsychopathology hypotheses. Journal+of+Abnormal+Psychology,Vol88(4),Aug1979,427L434.

9 Somehavesuggestedthatglossolaliaisevidenceofmentalillness.Itisimportant tonotethatsomewhopracticeglossolalia,thoughbynomeansall,oreventhe majority,progresstomoreextremeformsofexpression.holylaughterisawelll documentedphenomenonamongcharismaticsandpentecostals,wherethe worshipperlaughsuncontrollablyoftenforhoursonend.evenmoredisturbing isthephenomenonwheretheworshipperwillbegintoemitanimalnoises, gruntsandcawsandmoos,allsupposedlyundertheinfluenceoftheholyspirit. Infairness,mostPentecostalswouldconsidertheseactivitiestobesomekindof demonictrickratherthanagenuinemovementoftheholyspirit.othersmight considerthatsuchbehaviourcouldonlybeexplainedbymentalillness. However,itwouldseemthatrecentresearchhasruledthatexplanationout,at leastforthemorecommonpracticeofglossolalia 8 (Ihavenotresearchedthe laughteroranimalsoundsindetail).infactonestudyfoundthatpeoplewho spokeintongueswereactuallymoreemotionallystablethanthosewhodidnot 9. Pentecostalsleavetheirchurchesandgoontoliveperfectlynormallives, holdingdownjobsandlookingafterfamiliesandbeinggenerallygood,lawl abidingcitizensintheircommunities.itseemshighlyunlikelythatglossolaliais signofanykindofpathology,diseaseordysfunctioninthebrainsofthosewho practiceit. Butanimportantclueastothetruenatureofglossolaliamaybefoundina landmarkstudypublishedin Researcherstooksixtypeoplewhohad neverspokenintonguesorevenheardtonguesbeingspokenbeforeandtriedto teachthemtospeakintongues.theyfoundthat20%ofthesubjectscouldspeak intonguesafterlisteningtojust60secondsofaudioofsomeonespeakingina tongueaftertwosessionsoftraining,70%ofthesubjectscouldspeakfluently intongues,andtheirfluencyimprovedwithmoretraining.theresearchers concludethat, Ourfindingsaremoreconsistentwithsociallearningthanwith alteredstateconceptionsofglossolalia. Whatismore,otherstudieshavefoundthatnotallpeoplespeakintonguesthe sameway.differentpeopletendtopreferrepeatingcertainsoundsorsyllables moreoftenthanothers.whatisinterestingisthatithasbeenshownthata congregationwilltendtoadoptthesamestyleasaleadertowhomtheylisten speakingintonguesforaperiodoftime.thisispowerfulevidenceforglossolalia beinganaturalprocessthatsimplyinvolvescopyingothers 11.Inotherwords, glossolaliacansimplybelearnedbymimicryanddoesnotneedany supernaturalcausetoexplainit.thisexplanationcertainlyfitsbetterwiththe 8Psychopathologywasoneoftheexplanationsruledoutbythestudyabove(Spanosetal,1979). 9ReferredtoinBenedictCarey. ANeuroscientificLookatSpeakinginTongues.NewYork Times,November7,2006.Foundat: 10Spanos,NicholasP;Cross,WendyP;Lepage,Mark;Coristine,Marjorie. GlossolaliaasLearned Behavior:AnExperimentalDemonstration.Journal+of+Abnormal+Psychology,Volume95(1), February1986,p JohnPKildahl;PaulAQualben. Glossolaliaandmentalhealth:finalprogressreport. BehavioralSciencesResearchBranch,NationalInstituteofMentalHealth,Washington,D.C. (1971),referencedintheWikipediaarticleonGlossolalia.

10 evidencethatglossolaliaoccursacrossamultitudeofculturesandreligionsthan doestheexplanationthatglossolaliaisauniquegiftoftheholyspirit. Whywouldpeoplewanttospeakintongues?Avaluablecluemaybefoundinthe wordsofoneexponent,abornlagainchristian,whowascolauthorofastudy thatlookedatscansofpeople sbrainsastheyspokeintongues.shesaysofher experience, You reawareofyoursurroundings,you renotreallyoutofcontrol. Butyouhavenocontroloverwhat shappening.you rejustflowing.you reina realmofpeaceandcomfort,andit safantasticfeeling. 12 Theactualstudy tellinglyfoundthatthepartofthebrainthatisassociatedwithpleasureand positiveemotionswashighlyactivewhilespeakingintongues 13.Thiswould explainwhypeoplewhopracticeitlikeitsomuchbutitalsomeansthat glossolaliabelongsnotinthecategoryofsupernaturalmiraclesperformedby theholyspirit,butofnaturalexperiencesthatmakeyoufeelgood,likeeating chocolateorhavingahotbathwhenyou retired. Takingallofthisinformationtogether,wearejustifiedinconcludingthat glossolaliaisanaturalphenomenonandnotasupernaturalmanifestationofthe poweroftheholyspirit.itiscertainlynotessentialinthelifeofthechristian, anymorethanistheeatingofchocolateorthetakingofhotbaths.infact,its emotionalallurecaneasilydistractchristiansfromthethingsthatreallymatter, likepracticalfaith,hopeandespeciallylove.whenoneisspeakinginatongue, oneisfocusedonthepleasuretheyareexperiencingwithinandignoringothers aroundthem.thismaybeacceptablewhenoneisworshippinggodinprivate, butitisnotwhatcommunalchristianworshipshouldbelike.communal worshipinvolvessharing manypeoplesingingandprayingwithonevoice; listeningtoeachotherandharmonisingwitheachother.itinvolvesexchanging thekissofpeacewithother,andbowingsidebyside;humblycomingforwardto partakeoftheonebodyandonecup,unitedinthemysteryofthesacrificial loveofchrist.itisthesharingoftheexperienceofgodwiththosearoundyou andthusbeingdrawnintoadeeperandcloserrelationshipoflovethroughthat sharedexperience.noneofthisfitswiththeselflfocused,unintelligibleutterance ofsoundsinglossolalia. 12BenedictCarey. ANeuroscientificLookatSpeakinginTongues.NewYorkTimes,November 7,2006.Foundat: August AndrewB.Newberg,NancyA.Wintering,DonnaMorgan,MarkR.Waldman Themeasurementofregionalcerebralbloodflowduringglossolalia:ApreliminarySPECT study. Psychiatry+Research:+Neuroimaging,Volume148,Issue1,22November2006,Pages67 71.