Praying in tongues/speaking/and movements?

[valentino]

thanks Prayer warrior

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

Here is my basic problem with what is commonly called speaking in tongues - it has no tradition in the Church before it became popular at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century. Before that people understood it to mean speaking in an actual language that one did not know, or being heard in that language, and there are still miracle of that type that happen occasionally.

Modern mainline Christians didn’t even adopt this until the 1960’s.

Well, that actually makes a lot of sense to me. It is a very private experience and it is experienced by humble souls who are filled with joy and praise to God. Because of their humility and because it is all about glorifying God, they are not shouting out to the world-- hey look at me, I’m praying in tongues. They are too busy glorifying God.

St. Teresa of Avila, the doctor of prayer said in the Interior Mansions (Sixth Mansion) “Our Lord sometimes gives the soul feelings of jubilation and a strange prayer it doesn’t understand”. She writes that it sounds like nonsense (what she is trying to write down) but she wants the reader to know that it really happens. It certainly is not a definitive statement about praying in tongues, but her description of the strange prayer and the utter joy felt in the soul is very much what it is like.

 

[Denise1957]

Our priest once gave a sermon on the issue of speaking in tongues. He was quite adamant that this gift should NEVER be asked for, or prayed for, to have. He also said, as has already been stated here, that there has to be an interpreter. He also said that a person doesn’t even have to be in a state of grace to receive this gift. There have been Catholic saints, of course, who had this gift, but they are in the minority. Speaking in tongues was used in the early Church as a means to spread the faith, but it then died out after the Apostolic Age.

My dad and his siblings were raised AoG. My dear grandmother spent little time at home when my dad was growing up, since she had a sort of addiction to speaking in tongues, and spent most of her time at church. I think this addiction (though not all Pentacostals or Charismatics have this issue, of course) can stem from wanting ‘proofs’ of God’s work in our lives, rather than trusting, without consolations or proofs, that He is working in our lives.

 

[Bluegoat]

Our priest once gave a sermon on the issue of speaking in tongues. He was quite adamant that this gift should NEVER be asked for, or prayed for, to have. He also said, as has already been stated here, that there has to be an interpreter. He also said that a person doesn’t even have to be in a state of grace to receive this gift. There have been Catholic saints, of course, who had this gift, but they are in the minority. Speaking in tongues was used in the early Church as a means to spread the faith, but it then died out after the Apostolic Age.

My dad and his siblings were raised AoG. My dear grandmother spent little time at home when my dad was growing up, since she had a sort of addiction to speaking in tongues, and spent most of her time at church. I think this addiction (though not all Pentacostals or Charismatics have this issue, of course) can stem from wanting ‘proofs’ of God’s work in our lives, rather than trusting, without consolations or proofs, that He is working in our lives.

Actually, I have heard of modern instances of this in the East although they are not so dramatic as the Apostolic times - I don’t know if there are any Catholic examples.

 

[The_Sentry]

Where is all the verses talking about it? And the title like the denomination as baptist,Methodist,Ect

Ok but not everyone could have the gift. Honestly I have a hard time believing in speaking in tongues. So many churches use it today even with out a translator/interpreter. What if that persons lying?or if it’s all just for show?

A lot of it is utterly fake.
Source: living in the Bible belt and hearing accounts from former Pentecostal friends of just how much bogus stuff they did in an effort to look outwardly holy or superpowered.

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

A lot of it is utterly fake.
Source: living in the Bible belt and hearing accounts from former Pentecostal friends of just how much bogus stuff they did in an effort to look outwardly holy or superpowered.

In my experience, the proof has been in the fruit… when people who have stage 4 cancer have gone to hospice to die–and then after prayer and laying on hands they suddenly recover, or incurable diseases are cured, or sudden conversions of atheists happen or other miracles, then it is easier to conclude God is working through these people. This has been my personal witness (too many times to count). Can’t speak from personal experience with the pentecostals, but from what I’ve seen on youtube and such, it seems it is mostly fake or even demonic. It is too hysterical and disordered to be of God. However, I haven’t seen any of that first hand…

Of course, you cannot always use miracles as your guide because miracles do not always accompany praying in tongues. However, humility will always be present as will the giving of glory and honor to the Lord.

 

[SteveVH]

This reminds me of Romans 8:26:

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

To clarify:

Praying in tongues, aka “prayer language” is a gift of the Spirit which may sound like gibberish. It can also sound like a language. The person is humbling themselves enough to allow the Holy Spirit to intercede in prayer. It is a gift which builds up the individual who has received the gift. It builds humility and faith-- I think that is the point (to answer valentino). Generally one who prays in tongues has a very active prayer life; it is not likely that they are saying something bad. But it is easy enough to test the fruit and use discernment. Though people without the gift may be skeptical, a person who has received the gift is no longer skeptical… they know that God has done something in them. Yet, we do not see a lot written about in saints lives. Why? Because it is deeply personal and requires humility, so it is not something that a person generally advertises. By the way, Fr. John Hampsch who is a priest in good standing with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal personally testified that Blessed John Paul II had a prayer language.

Speaking in tongues is speaking another language. It is used in group setting and there should always be an interpretation. According to scripture, it is for the unbelievers who witness the gift. I respectfully disagree with the comment that Paul was against speaking in tongues, he merely emphasized the importance of caution, discernment and striving for the higher gifts (especially prophecy). How could anyone who is a servant of God be opposed to one of God’s gifts? St. Paul says in 1 Cor 14:5 “I should like all of you to speak in tongues…” and he also says that he “speaks tongues more than any of you”. In the end, he is quite clear saying, “So, brothers, strive eagerly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but everything must be done properly and in order.”

I hope you didn’t think that I said that Paul was against speaking in tongues. I only said he considered it to be the least of the gifts and I agree. As you said, he spoke in tongues as well. And if I was speaking in tongues in the middle of a congregation then you are correct, there should be an interpreter. But I speak in tongues when praying for healing for someone, or while I am by myself, or even in a congregation, but then only silently. It can be very distracting to others and actually take away from the purpose for which we are gathered if used improperly. I think that is what Paul was speaking of.

I have seen some very dramatic things which I will not go into, but the power of the Holy Spirit is what it is all about, not us wagging our tongues.

God bless.

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

I hope you didn’t think that I said that Paul was against speaking in tongues. I only said he considered it to be the least of the gifts and I agree. As you said, he spoke in tongues as well. And if I was speaking in tongues in the middle of a congregation then you are correct, there should be an interpreter. But I speak in tongues when praying for healing for someone, or while I am by myself, or even in a congregation, but then only silently. It can be very distracting to others and actually take away from the purpose for which we are gathered if used improperly. I think that is what Paul was speaking of.

I have seen some very dramatic things which I will not go into, but the power of the Holy Spirit is what it is all about, not us wagging our tongues.

God bless.

No, I was responding to post 34 by Christine.

I also believe there is the possibility of using the gifts improperly. It sounds like you have good discernment in the matter. Like you, I have seen some dramatic things… to God be the Glory!

 

[SteveVH]

No, I was responding to post 34 by Christine.

I also believe there is the possibility of using the gifts improperly. It sounds like you have good discernment in the matter. Like you, I have seen some dramatic things… to God be the Glory!

Amen!