In my New Testament Theology class this morning, I and my students were involved in a very interesting dialogue on the gift of tongue (glossolalia). Among the gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are the gift of tongue (speaking in unknown language) and the gift to interpret those unknown languages.
Few years ago, there was controversial story about one charismatic church: The church stressed that the gift of tongue is a must for all believers. That understanding led the church to offer a training school in order that the believers can learn how to speak in tongue (let say: “Tongue Training School”). I am not sure if the story is true, but it sounds natural in the charismatic circle. Speaking in tongue is in the charismatic churches considered as the most important or powerful among the gifts of the Spirit. Therefore all believers should possess and practice this phenomenal gift.
In our class this morning, we discussed the last gift listed in 1 Corinthians 12: the gift to interpret that unknown language (the gift of tongue). We have so many people (more than a thousand, I think) speaking in tongue during the Sunday services in our local church. And we may have some people who believe that they are able to interpret that unknown language.
I encouraged my students to do a field research. Recording people who speak in tongue individually, using the best tools (recorder and other electronic devices), and then ask those who believe to possess the gift of interpretation to translate those unknown languages.
The first task of the research is to discover the validity of the interpretation and/or translation. Will different people results in different interpretation/translation. If yes, can it be justified? The following task is to propose a dictionary of Tongue.
This posting sounds crazy doesn’t it? I myself am afraid of being too challenging towards God and the Holy Spirit. Yet, I feel that the idea is very natural, especially because we live in the era when technology might be called as the greatest miracle. And I think (seriously) that if the gift of tongue really is to build others (the congregation), which I strongly believe, then the dictionary should be a very helpful tool in nurturing the faith of the believers.
Let God and the power of the Holy Spirit prevail!
6 comments:
Hi I came across your blog and read your posting about the gift of tongue. I think your idea od recording and finding out what they mean in another language is a worthwhile exercise, I would love to know your findings. You mentioned towards the end of the posting that gift of tongue is to edify the church but in
1 Corinthians 14:4 it says "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.". This clearly says that gift of tongue is for self edification. Or do you interpret this verse differently?
Yuski
I am aware of that one of the functions of the gift of tongue is for self edification, however, once this gift is translated, it is for public edification. Thanks for your comment.
my moms friend has spoken this unknown language and still not known what she has been saying until she got with her sister and was helping a spirit pass over and her sister told her exactly what she was saying. its was truely magical and i believe in it
Me too, I do believe in it
Genial post and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you on your information.
last night three of my charismatic friends went wd me in the hospital for praying over my very ill nephew. after the song invoking for the holy spirit to come they all chorus the tongue gift one couldn't even discern any word, the spontaneity, clarity you can't even copy, it may hurt your own tongue.i did not dare to see their face coz i feel it is the holy spirit present..this morning my sis txted me her son is doing fine.
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