Interpretation of Tongues Question(s)

[guanophore]

I do have an appreciation for the Christian pratice, experience, and point of view of glossolalia, but the thing is, is that the *experience *is no different than any other culture in the world that practices the same thing; the experience is simply not all that unique to Christianity.

The point of view, on the other hand, *is *somewhat unique to Christianity - but, to be rather blunt, it can be equally argued that modern day tongues is trying to fit glossolaia into the framework of the Pentecostal/Charismatic understanding and teaching of the Bible.

I am of the belief that all people are free to choose their own spiritual path and though I may not agree with the tenants and practices of a particular path, it’s not my intent to try and dissuade anyone from it, and that is not what I am attempting here.

That said, I do take a hard look at this phenomenon and acknowledge that the results may or may not paint the Pentecostal/Charismatic concept of “tongues” in nearly the same light as its practitioners view it.

Whatever the case, you certainly don’t seem to be here for any Catholic Answers.

 

[ffg]

No.

Of course we can! Scripture is full of the gifts we receive at Baptism, and the infant does nothing, and knows nothing.

The gift of prayer tongues rises from the Spirit. When it happens, the person becomes conscious that the Spirit is praying through them. They have a choice to participate.

Yes, of course. Look how many times He had to tell Peter “rise, kill, and eat” and Peter thought He was talking about unclean foods. But God was trying to show HIm that the Gentiles can be members of the One Faith. But God can write straight with crooked lines.

Regarding the application of the gift of tongues, no, but there are many other examples. The Council of Jerusalem is one such example, where they all gathered, talked about what they understood God to be saying, and reached an agreement by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Not sure if that is what you meant?

(A1) Sorry did not mean to cut out your response. Think I hit the bold by accident too. Would you agree that human beings sometimes pray “amiss” (off target)?

(A2) Do you agree that if we pray according to the Spirit of God, we will not be amiss?

(B) I don’t think that was covered in this thread. Would you like to supply a relevant link to bring the readers up to date?

So down to only A (two parts) and B…

A1 - Praying seems to be purposeful. So, no it doesn’t seem we can be ‘off target’ with prayer. (feel free to further explain)

A2 - Considering answer to A1, this is N/A, but feel free to explain. Or better answer the initial comment ‘God prays’.

It sounds like you didn’t really mean ‘God prays’, but that ‘God guides’. That’s an important distinction.

(B) A link, I can hunt a bit, but have no idea where to find. I’m sure you are familiar with ‘encounters’ or ‘Festivals of Praise’ (FOP), where during such events non-clergy ‘team leaders’ huddle up to discern a message someone wants to share with the crowd. Many times it has to do with a feeling about someone ‘in the room’ has problem x, and then a message about the problem.

Members of discernment teams as well as many people at such events incorporate ‘praying in tongues’.

The message is not in ‘tongues’, people tend to think and deliver thought in native languages. The discernment teams are not discerning a message brought to them in babble form.

Take care,

Mike

 

[guanophore]

So down to only A (two parts) and B…

A1 - Praying seems to be purposeful. So, no it doesn’t seem we can be ‘off target’ with prayer. (feel free to further explain)

A2 - Considering answer to A1, this is N/A, but feel free to explain. Or better answer the initial comment ‘God prays’.

It sounds like you didn’t really mean ‘God prays’, but that ‘God guides’. That’s an important distinction.

“You do not have because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James4:3

Yes, prayer is purposeful, but it is not always within the will of God. People often pray for the wrong thing, or in the wrong way.

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26

This is not “channeling” where a person’s body is taken over by a spirit, but sunergesis or “working together with” the Holy Spirit.
’
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Cor 14:14

Praying in tongues does not emanate from the mind/human thinking, but from the Spirit within us.

 

[noellegreen]

Hello All,

I’m not sure this is the correct spot to post the below; if not, please feel free to move it to the appropriate area.

As a linguist, I am doing a bit of general research on glossolalia – a/k/a ‘speaking in tongues’. The research is being done here and there (i.e. it’s not any part of any ongoing study) and will not be formally published. Specifically, I’m hoping to obtain some answers and perhaps insights/thoughts about a specific question.

The question is geared more for those who believe they are able to interpret a glossic utterance. So….if any of you out there have this ability, I would like to ask the following:

Must the ‘tongue’ always be heard to be able to interpret (i.e. does someone need to be actually speaking), or are you able to offer an interpretation from the written word?

In other words, if you I were given a written sample of a legitimate pastor’s glossic utterance, would you be able to read it and offer an interpretation (provided of course, that it was written such that you could read it – i.e. basically writing it out phonetically as if one were writing English)

If not, why??

Also, if not, if someone were to read the example aloud to you (i.e. you heard it spoken by someone), or if you read it aloud to yourself, would you then be able to offer an interpretation??

Again, why or why not??

Or, are you only able to offer an interpretation if the glossolalis is spoken by someone else??

Lastly, and this one’s a bit touchy……if the same utterance were given to say five people, preferably written, but spoken if need be, and five totally unrelated interpretations were offered, how would you respond to that??

I’m basically trying to determine if written examples of glossolalia are just as “valid” (for lack of a better term) as spoken ones with respect to interpretations offered. I’ve also just been wondering about the last question (a “what were to happen if……” sort of thing).

Thanks for all responses.

Saint Dymphna is usually associated with accounts of miraculous cures of mental illness and she is often invoked for those inflicted with emotional and mental distress.

St. Dymphna Novena Prayers

Day 1: For Faith

Find the Original Here: praymorenovenas.com/st-dymphna-novena/#ixzz4GPdczAKR
Thank you Thank you Thank you

 

[Appleman]

I must admit I find no attraction to “speaking in tongues”. It seems far too open to interpretations by who knows who and what. It is more important to concern myself with Magisterium, Tradition, Holy Scripture and the beautiful Sacraments. Scripture study is so touching. In the celebration of the Holy Mass I find the “Holy Spirit”, and there I can stay the course in a one Holy and truly catholic church.

I mean absolutely no malice toward my brothers and sisters who are fascinated with this. But the Holy Spirit is so very present in EVERYTHING we do in practicing our Catholic faith. The Eucharist alone should make my knees weak because of the real presence of Christ. But attending Mass alone may not be enough if I don’t work at developing my Faith (Belief) and then “Obey”.
The Spirit is there, all around us. God Bless us all.

 

[SyroMalankara]

I must admit I find no attraction to “speaking in tongues”. It seems far too open to interpretations by who knows who and what. It is more important to concern myself with Magisterium, Tradition, Holy Scripture and the beautiful Sacraments. Scripture study is so touching. In the celebration of the Holy Mass I find the “Holy Spirit”, and there I can stay the course in a one Holy and truly catholic church.

I mean absolutely no malice toward my brothers and sisters who are fascinated with this. But the Holy Spirit is so very present in EVERYTHING we do in practicing our Catholic faith. The Eucharist alone should make my knees weak because of the real presence of Christ. But attending Mass alone may not be enough if I don’t work at developing my Faith (Belief) and then “Obey”.
The Spirit is there, all around us. God Bless us all.

AMEN:thumbsup: