That's Crazy Talk! (Part 2)

As you (my dear two readers) may recall  from my last blog post I explored the definition of tongues as found in Acts 2. A simple exegetical read of the passage shows evidence that tongues is in fact a coherent, established language as opposed to the modern day “gift” of tongue speaking which is usually an incoherent train of repetitive syllables. Also, I briefly touched on the ideas that modern tongues (gibberish) are a necessary sign of salvation, a secret prayer language, and an undiscovered language, and gave a smidgen of evidence as to why none of these theories could be true. In Part 1 I stated that one reason as to why God gave this ability to speak in foreign languages to the apostles and disciples was to witness to the men who had traveled to Jerusalem during Pentecost. This time I would like to explore further what I discussed as well as the second reason as to why God gave this ability. I would ask though, for the sake of space on this blog, that you follow along in 1 Corinthians 14 because I will not be posting the verses here, but will only be referencing them.

1 Corinthians 12-14 gives a great amount of discussion to spiritual gifts with chapter 14 focusing on tongues. Paul begins this chapter by stating that prophesy is a greater gift than tongues because prophesy edifies the church, whereas speaking in tongues only edifies the one doing it. This runs both ways if we view tongues as the biblical “language”, and the unbiblical “gibberish”. If an American was in an American church and say, for example, stood and began speaking Chinese then no one would know what he was saying but himself. However, prophesying is not done in a foreign language and therefore everyone understands what is being said. Therefore, Paul instructs the Corinthian believers that they must have someone to interpret (Vv. 1-5). If someone was to speak gibberish then nobody would understand. If someone was to speak Russian in an underground Chinese church, without an interpreter, then nobody would understand. Based on the understanding from Acts 2 that tongues are an actual language, then it makes sense. If you read through these verses and think “gibberish”, and if you read and think “languages”, then it works for both and you can certainly steer your interpretation in either direction.

However, we have determined that these “tongues” are actual languages from Acts 2. It would seem quite odd that God would have the believers speak actual languages, then have them start speaking non-languages. For what purpose? As Paul clearly states throughout 1 Corinthians 14 it is to edify the church. He says “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? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 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.” (Vv. 7-9). There is no glory to God given if we speak nonsense to one another. No one will understand. You may say “that’s what the interpreter is for”. True, but in modern tongues the thought is that someone speaks gibberish and then someone else, through the spirit, stands and reveals to everyone else what is being said. That again takes us away from the idea that tongues are an actual language. In this biblical definition if someone was to speak Chinese, then there needs to be someone there to translate that back to English for the English-speaking congregation. If this Chinese speaking person did not have an interpreter then they would worship God in silence, yet speaking to God from within in their native tongue. This would be how the biblical definition of tongues would apply to verses 6-18. Paul also gives credence to the idea of tongues being an actual language when he says “There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 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 foreigner to me.” (Vv. 10-11). There are certainly many kinds of languages because they are defined by their nationality. However, there is only one kind if gibberish because gibberish is a non-language that cannot be defined. It is apparent from these verses that Paul is speaking of actual foreign languages that needs to be interpreted and therefor verifies that the tongues in Acts are actual spoken languages.

Another thought that I would like to toss to this is verses 20-25. As you may recall from Part 1 that the purpose of tongues in Acts 2 was to witness to the foreigners. Here Paul lays out the other reason why God delivered tongues as a sign gift- judgment. Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11-12 when he says, “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.” (v.21). Isaiah was prophesying the judgment against Israel when they were taken into Babylonian captivity by people who did not speak Hebrew. So why would Paul requote that here? It is because the tongues that were being spoken here, as well as the day of Pentecost, were languages that were unrecognizable to the Jewish people. Therefore, they accused the apostles of being drunk. Throughout this section Paul states that tongues are a sign to unbelievers, because it was a sign that they were being judged for rejecting Christ. Maybe that’s why so many were saved during Pentecost? Because they remembered Isaiah’s prophecy and realized that God was judging them?

A few other nuggets about tongues: Many who speak modern tongue gibberish may defend the transition from languages in Acts 2 to ecstatic language in 1 Corinthians 14 as the establishment of some sort of special prayer language. First of all, that is reading something into the text that is based on an assumption and that is where heresy is born. As I had mentioned before Jesus had spoken against vain repetitive nonsense in Matthew 6. He also said, “not like the heathens do”. What did he mean by that? Well it is well known that since the Old Testament days that paganism existed as it did in Jesus’ time and it does today. One of the things that many pagan religions do is speak in ecstatic languages very much like the gibberish nonsense that modern tongue speaking Christians do. So, if you think that speaking gibberish is in fact some sort of special language that bypasses all obstacles and gets you directly to the feet of God’s throne- think again. You are doing nothing more than what the Satanic pagans do. Second, Paul certainly gives the instruction that there should be an interpreter. In most Charismatic and Pentecostal churches, many people speak out in gibberish without an interpreter, as well as speaking all at once and in a disorderly fashion. This goes against verses 26-33 and 40. Whether you follow the biblical model of speaking in languages, or the pagan model of speaking in crazy talk, there is a good reason why both should be done with an interpreter and in an orderly fashion, otherwise confusion will ensue and no one will be edified. Imagine if an unchurched guest was to walk into one of these churches, not knowing much about church or Christianity. If all verbal chaos broke loose then he would think that we all were out of our minds and probably would think that about all of Christianity. He probably would have nothing more to do with any church or religion. He wouldn’t know any different and would just assume that this insanity is what Christ is all about. “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?” (v.23). Therefore, you had lost the chance to witness.

Again, with the last blog, my purpose is not to bash anyone. This is a continuation of my Holy Spirit Hoedown post. The purpose in these last three posts is to illustrate that the work of the Holy Spirit is not anything that would bring about confusion. Modern tongue speaking is viewed as the epitome of the Holy Spirit’s work. However, modern tongue speaking is nothing more than confusing gibberish and has nothing to do with the tongue speaking that had taken place during the early church in the New Testament. What had taken place then was actual true established languages and verifies the work of the Holy Spirit as a “helper”. So, if you choose to speak in uncontrollable nonsense, either with or without an interpreter or in or out of order, then fine. But as I had mentioned before please, PLEASE, do not say that it is the working of the Holy Spirit. Anything of the such is contrary to His work.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

In Christ Alone.

That's Crazy Talk! (Part 1)

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?” (Acts 2:1-8)… we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” (Vv. 11-12).

It seems to be a phenomenon that is all too sought out in the life of the Christian. Some seek to learn it, some believe that it is given as evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit at the point of salvation. Some believe that it is a secret prayer language between the believer and God. Some take it seriously, while others are nonchalant about it. Many believe that it has ceased, while others believe that it is alive and well. It is the spiritual gift that receives the most focus as evidence of the Holy Spirit being a force upon the believer and it transcends many denominations from Pentecostalism, to Catholicism, to Charismatic Baptists. So what is it?

Tongues. It should make sense to you, my faithful three readers, that after a blog post detailing the biblically defined works of the Holy Spirit, and also reiterating that the Spirit is a person (He), not a force (it), that I should address the spiritual gift of tongues. Why? Because many seek to learn it. Because many believe that it is the evidence of salvation (and if they can’t speak in tongues then they question their salvation). Because many believe that it is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and working in their lives. Because many believe that they can get closer to God by speaking this special “prayer language”.

1.       What is tongues? Many in the modern church (mostly Pentecostal and Charismatic) believe that speaking in tongues is a necessary element of the Christian life. They believe that in speaking this ecstatic language that they are living proof of the indwelling of the Spirit. Some believe that this gift just happens upon you, while others believe that it has to be learned and will actually teach it to you by saying things like (for example) “bananarama homina homina hum”, or something to that effect. If we look at what transpired during the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, then it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what is going on. There were many men from other nations who heard the tongues that were being uttered by the believers and apostles. They heard the works of God being spoken in their own language. The word “tongues” literally means “languages”. These Christians were speaking other languages that were understood by all of these foreigners. But why such a strange thing as giving these the sudden ability to speak foreign languages? It would seem if we read the context that these men understood Peter with one accord, so they obviously must’ve been bilingual to also understand their native languages as well. I will get to the second reason why God had them speak in tongues later, but for right now the first reason is to witness. It says “we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God…” (V.11). I cannot tell you what the apostles were saying to these men in their various native languages, but further on in Acts 2, after Peter delivers his “hit ‘em In the heart” sermon, 3000 were saved. I am assuming that these bewildered sojourners were among them. So we should conclude that there was some good gospel preaching going on with these “wonderful works of God”. This should be very profound biblical evidence that tongues is actually an established intelligent language, not uncontrolled, unchecked gibberish. Anytime I hear someone say “we speak in tongues at my church”, I always want to ask them “Oh really? What languages do you speak?”

2.       Tongues as a sign of salvation. The second issue with tongues is that many claim that it is the sign of salvation. Why? Because as we see at the beginning of our passage the Holy Spirit entered into the believers and then they spoke in various languages. This, of course, points to the errant thought that the Holy Spirit is a force that makes you do crazy things, and not a person that is also “the helper”. He helped the apostles by giving them the ability to witness to these men. You may ask “Why did He do that when these men were bilingual? Wasn’t it then unnecessary to have the apostles speak in their native language?” Well that is a very good question and I am glad that you asked it. However, the answer to that question is the second reason why God gave them the gift of tongues and I will speak on that next time. But, for now, the issue at hand in this paragraph is the issue of salvation’s evidence. To say that the sudden ability to speak languages (or gibberish these days) is the evidence of salvation is an error. It is true that the apostles spoke in tongues once the Holy Spirit indwelled them, however, the Bible does not mention that the 3000 began to speak in tongues as well. It is true that the Gentiles at Cornelius’ home began to speak in tongues (Acts 10:44-46), as well as John’s disciples (Acts 19:5-6), but what about the Ethiopian eunuch? As a matter of fact, when we read the account of Paul’s salvation and conversion in Acts, nowhere does it mention that he spoke in tongues. He does speak of this ability in 1 Corinthians 14 (which I will discuss next time), but it did not take place at his conversion and to say that it did in those instances, yet was not recorded, is an assumption at its best. It’s very easy to put an assumption into the Bible and make it a doctrine when you speak into the text, versus allowing the text to speak.

3.       Tongues as a special prayer language. The third issue regarding tongues is that it is assumed to be a special prayer language. This is the very common argument once a cessationist has proven that tongues is an actual spoken language and isn’t a sign of salvation. It especially shows itself as the excuse for one to speak gibberish, since that is exactly what modern tongue speaking is. However, such a thing as a “special prayer language” does not exist and is unbiblical anyway. Many believers cite 1 Corinthians 14 as evidence that this nonsensical speech is a prayer language, however that is not true and I will cover that next time. First of all, when the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He said “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13). You will notice two things here- Jesus gives a model as to how to pray, and also uses words, not gibberish. As a matter of fact, Jesus spoke against “vain repetitions” in verse 7. The Greek word for this is battalogeō, which means “to repeat the same things over and over, to use many idle words, to babble, prate.” So basically Jesus said not to speak in tongues (gibberish). Second, Jesus would have wanted what is best for his followers and would not have sold them short. So if there is in fact a special prayer language that God desires, then wouldn’t you think that Jesus would have taught that to them instead? Why would He have kept this “special prayer language” from them? Another little nugget regarding gibberish as being a special prayer language is that many who practice it say that it is to bypass Satan and his demons because they evidently have the ability to stop our normal prayers from reaching God. Again, unbiblical. Not to mention, as we may recall from Job 1, that Satan still has to answer to God.

4.       Tongues as an undiscovered language. After agreeing that biblical tongue speaking is in fact an actual language, many who partake in modern tongue gibberish will say that it is not gibberish, but is in fact a true undiscovered language. This view poses a major problem. If God is in fact delivering, through His Spirit, undiscovered languages to believers then we are to assume that there are also undiscovered people who speak these languages. However, with almost all of these believers, God is not ordering their steps to these undiscovered lands in order to preach the gospel. Therefore, The Great Commission is made null and void and through contradiction to His word, God is made out to be a liar. If God is blessing His believers today with undiscovered languages then He certainly will call them to preach it to the undiscovered lands.

The reason why I have decided to discuss tongues this time is not to bash any favorite worship activity for certain believers. It is a follow up to my last blog post regarding the work of the Holy Spirit. As I had mentioned He is a “helper” who works to edify other believers and to glorify God- two things that cannot be done when the believer acts out of control. Losing control and speaking gibberish, or choosing to train oneself to do so, does not help but instead creates confusion. The events in Acts 2 prove that the tongues that were spoken were indeed intelligible languages that were understood by those who were visiting Jerusalem, not babbling. One of the main reasons for this event was to witness to these men. However, there is a second reason why they spoke in tongues and that can be found in 1 Corinthians 14, the other chapter that gives a great amount of attention to tongues. That will be for next time…