Speaking in Tongues is Not Magic
This is the first part of a projected six-part series on speaking in tongues. I thought it would help us as a community to orient ourselves to this mysterious form of Spirit-speech, and also encourage us to pursue this gift with joy and anticipation.
People have some funny ideas about speaking in tongues
That’s probably because speaking in tongues is a funny-sounding thing to begin with – both in theory and sometimes in practice. In practice, there have been times when I’ve overheard someone speaking in tongues (presumably), and it was all I could do to avoid laughing out loud because of how strange it sounded. And, in theory, the idea that the incomparably brilliant God of the universe would reveal himself in a way that causes people to speak in an unintelligible way just sounds, well, backwards. I think it’s okay to admit these things. I don’t think God is offended that we find some of His ways confusing and odd. I am quite sure he feels this way about some of our ways!
Generally, we’re uncomfortable with things we can’t control, or things we can’t fully explain
We feel the pressure to map out exactly how stuff works, and exactly why stuff happens. When we try to do this with God and His work, we can get ourselves into trouble. We tend to say too much in attempt to explain what we don’t know. This can lead to all sorts of distorted, ill-advised and theologically-flimsy convictions. There is something about us that prefers any kind of explanation – no matter how crazy or outlandish it might sound – to an admission of uncertainty. This is certainly true when it comes to speaking in tongues. I have heard some of the craziest, wackiest, and honestly, most shameful teaching about this subject in my 30-plus years in charismatic and Pentecostal churches. Some things I wish I could just block out of my memory – like the folks who tried to ‘coach’ people into this experience by having them rapidly repeat tongue-twisting phrases. Some things sounded profoundly spiritual, though they had no basis in biblical teaching – like the idea that speaking in tongues is the key to ‘unlocking’ all the Spirit’s gifts in one’s life. And, some things sound a lot like a spiritualized version of “Jack and the Beanstalk” – just pray in tongues and your ministry will magically bear fruit!
Speaking in tongues is Spiritually valuable
I think it is important to affirm, however, that the abuse of a thing does not negate the value it contains when used properly. I speak in tongues. I believe in its value for the individual, as well as the body of Christ as a whole. But don’t just take my word for it. The witness of Scripture affirms this. After all, there must be some reason that the apostle Paul can say without flinching that “I want you all to speak in tongues” (1 Cor 14:5)! I think there may be more than one. In fact, I am concerned that a lack of familiarity with, and clarity about, biblical teaching regarding tongues is undermining the purpose and effectiveness of this good gift in the body of Christ. And, when we operate on half-truths or false assumptions, we only feed stereotypes that serve to divide and isolate us from other members of the Christian community. I want to counteract this tendency by calling us to a fresh look at the Scriptural portrait of this fascinating Spiritual gift and practice.
What is the truth about speaking in tongues?
In the next couple posts, I will summarize some foundational insights of the apostle Paul with respect to speaking in tongues. Along the way, please feel free to share your own questions or thoughts about speaking in tongues, as we search the Scriptures and open our hearts to the Spirit’s work. Next stop: 1 Corinthians 14!
People have some funny ideas about speaking in tongues
That’s probably because speaking in tongues is a funny-sounding thing to begin with – both in theory and sometimes in practice. In practice, there have been times when I’ve overheard someone speaking in tongues (presumably), and it was all I could do to avoid laughing out loud because of how strange it sounded. And, in theory, the idea that the incomparably brilliant God of the universe would reveal himself in a way that causes people to speak in an unintelligible way just sounds, well, backwards. I think it’s okay to admit these things. I don’t think God is offended that we find some of His ways confusing and odd. I am quite sure he feels this way about some of our ways!
Generally, we’re uncomfortable with things we can’t control, or things we can’t fully explain
We feel the pressure to map out exactly how stuff works, and exactly why stuff happens. When we try to do this with God and His work, we can get ourselves into trouble. We tend to say too much in attempt to explain what we don’t know. This can lead to all sorts of distorted, ill-advised and theologically-flimsy convictions. There is something about us that prefers any kind of explanation – no matter how crazy or outlandish it might sound – to an admission of uncertainty. This is certainly true when it comes to speaking in tongues. I have heard some of the craziest, wackiest, and honestly, most shameful teaching about this subject in my 30-plus years in charismatic and Pentecostal churches. Some things I wish I could just block out of my memory – like the folks who tried to ‘coach’ people into this experience by having them rapidly repeat tongue-twisting phrases. Some things sounded profoundly spiritual, though they had no basis in biblical teaching – like the idea that speaking in tongues is the key to ‘unlocking’ all the Spirit’s gifts in one’s life. And, some things sound a lot like a spiritualized version of “Jack and the Beanstalk” – just pray in tongues and your ministry will magically bear fruit!
Speaking in tongues is Spiritually valuable
I think it is important to affirm, however, that the abuse of a thing does not negate the value it contains when used properly. I speak in tongues. I believe in its value for the individual, as well as the body of Christ as a whole. But don’t just take my word for it. The witness of Scripture affirms this. After all, there must be some reason that the apostle Paul can say without flinching that “I want you all to speak in tongues” (1 Cor 14:5)! I think there may be more than one. In fact, I am concerned that a lack of familiarity with, and clarity about, biblical teaching regarding tongues is undermining the purpose and effectiveness of this good gift in the body of Christ. And, when we operate on half-truths or false assumptions, we only feed stereotypes that serve to divide and isolate us from other members of the Christian community. I want to counteract this tendency by calling us to a fresh look at the Scriptural portrait of this fascinating Spiritual gift and practice.
What is the truth about speaking in tongues?
In the next couple posts, I will summarize some foundational insights of the apostle Paul with respect to speaking in tongues. Along the way, please feel free to share your own questions or thoughts about speaking in tongues, as we search the Scriptures and open our hearts to the Spirit’s work. Next stop: 1 Corinthians 14!
Posted in Tongues