Speaking in tongues: genuine charism or silly gibberish?

[RubyT]

Coleraine, please read my post page 34. It may present a different light on the subject.

The bible says in Corinthians:
14:22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers;

 

[jean8]

ive never heard a single priest or deacon or bishop do so. it is not part of the mass. but i wont underestimate you. what does it say in the catechism?

cole,
the gift of tongues is meant for private devotions.

Jean8

 

[coleraine]

Coleraine, please read my post page 34. It may present a different light on the subject.

The bible says in Corinthians:
14:22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers;

what i am trying to get through here is that i want to know what the catechism has to say. not in the bible, which can be easily misunderstood.

 

[coleraine]

cole,
the gift of tongues is meant for private devotions.

Jean8

I want to know what the official catholic teaching is. and until you can provide me with such, i do not want to discuss this any further.

 

[guanophore]

im going to “ask an apologist”. look i dont know what your talking about, there is a way mass is supposed to be. one does not start rambling on in a rediculous manner. and since you refuse to do so, i will look it up.

Praying in tongues is not “rambling in a ridiculous manner”. However, I agree with you, there are specific rubrics for the Mass, and they should be followed. There are many abuses of the Mass, and the charismatic movement should not in any way contribute to them.

I have studied the history of tongues for 30 years, and have looked up everything I can find. Maybe it would be better if you did? You seem to be the skeptic in the discussion…

 

[guanophore]

what i am trying to get through here is that i want to know what the catechism has to say. not in the bible, which can be easily misunderstood.

The Bible is a Catholic book. There is nothing in it that is not Catholic.

I want to know what the official catholic teaching is. and until you can provide me with such, i do not want to discuss this any further.

Don’t you have a catechism? If not, there are searchable catechism’s online. Or, you can just scroll back up the thread and read the postings.

What are you doing on this thread, if you are so hostile and closed minded? Unwilling to do you homework? Perhaps you just want to take pot shots, and not be educated?

 

[coleraine]

The Bible is a Catholic book. There is nothing in it that is not Catholic.

Don’t you have a catechism? If not, there are searchable catechism’s online. Or, you can just scroll back up the thread and read the postings.

What are you doing on this thread, if you are so hostile and closed minded? Unwilling to do you homework? Perhaps you just want to take pot shots, and not be educated?

im just telling you what i have been taught as catholic since i was a child. why dont you provide me with a source for your claims?

 

[RubyT]

The Gift of Tongues or Tongues of Angels, which is the one that you are questioning, is discussed primarily in 1Cor Ch 12-14. This gift can be broken down into two subcategories: One is Prophetic Tongues which requires interpretation which for the edification of the Church as is the gift of prophecy. This one is not very prevalent today (I have only heard it once and it lead to my conversion to Catholocism) and the other is Praying in the Spirit which is for the edification of the individual. This is the most common type. This is where the Holy Spirit prays for you in groanings that you cannot understand. In other words, He prays for what you do not know what to pray for.

 

[jean8]

ive never heard a single priest or deacon or bishop do so. it is not part of the mass. but i wont underestimate you. what does it say in the catechism?

cole,
The gift of tongues are spoken of in the Bible in Acts 2:1-13. This occured at Pentecost. The Jews were the first to speak in tongues (Actual languages at that time) when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Next, the gift was also manifested inself to the Gentiles, Acts 10: 44–48, Acts 19:6 to a group of belivers.
It is important to note the Lord has not given this gift to everyone. See 1Cor.12:30 As I mentioned before, the gift is given by the Holy Spirit as He determines. 1Cor,12;11.

Today folks speak in what is called, ‘glossolia.’ when I pray in tongues the Lord reveals to me what I am saying at times. This has just started to happen.
The reason I’m revealing this is to let you know that this is a real blessing from God.
You can pray for this blessing yourself, please do so. Jesus loves you. Or maybe the Lord has a different gift for you.

God bless you,
jean8

 

[jean8]

im just telling you what i have been taught as catholic since i was a child. why dont you provide me with a source for your claims?

cole,
Will the Bible help?

Gifts, Spiritual Gifts Listed

Spiritual abilities given by God for the purpose of building up the church. Every Christian has at least one (1 Cor. 7:7). They are listed and discussed in different places in the N.T. (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28-30; Eph. 4:7-12). Following is a list of the gifts arranged in two groups. The first are gifts that require supernatural intervention and are possessed only by true Christians. The second are gifts that do not require supernatural intervention. Even non-Christians can have the second group of gifts. A further issue is whether or not the gifts are still in use today. Some believe they ceased with the apostles and the closing of the Canon (the completion of the writings of the Bible) and they are no longer needed for the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12). Others believe the gifts are still in use but not in the pure apostolic sense. In other words, they are still in use but not in the same way possessed by the apostles. Instead, they are available to the believer if and when God decides it is beneficial to use them.

Spiritual Gifts

1 Salvation Rom. 6:23
2 Word of Wisdom 1 Cor. 12:8
3 Word of Knowledge 1 Cor. 12:8
4 Faith 1 Cor. 12:9
5 Healing 1 Cor. 12:9
6 Miracles 1 Cor. 12:10
7 Prophecy Rom. 12:6 1 Cor. 12:10
8 Distinguishing of Spirits 1 Cor. 12:10
9 Tongues 1 Cor. 12:10
10 Interpretation of Tongues 1 Cor. 12:10

1 Serving Rom. 12:7
2 Teaching Rom. 12:7
3 Exhortation Rom. 12:8
4 Giving Rom. 12:8
5 Leading Rom. 12:8
6 Showing mercy Rom. 12:8

The greatest gift is found in Rom.6:23, “The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
And "No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 1Cor12:3b

God bless you,
jean8

 

[antonabe]

One day I came home from work and my mother was alone and did not realize I was there. She was speaking/praying in a strange language that I did not understand. She recorded the prayer and took it to Cornell University and presented it to a language professor. He said it was a real language but no longer spoken today. The professor said he could not say exactly what language it was but knew it was ancient. It is my opinion that God allowed her to speak in tongues so that I may witness it. At the time I was far from being a spiritual person and (although I had been confirmed in my faith as a child) my heart had moved away from God. This was a turning point back to spiritual healing and faith for me. I began to grow my faith in Christ again. The bible says in Corinthians:
14:22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers;
Ruby T. Thank you for your inspiring contribution.It is possible that by the help of the Holy Spirit what appears to be gibberish to us may be a song of praise.Hitherto I thought it was gibberish but not any more, I believe your sincere testimony.God Bless You.
My Mother was the believer and I was the unbeliever. I have never spoken in tongues myself but seeing my Mother pray in tongues brought me back to being a believer and thank the Lord for that.

So my personal opinion is that speaking is tongues is real and one reason for it is to bring people to Christ who have lost their way. My Mother never could understand what the words were but explained to me that the prayer was because she was filled with the Holy Spirit and the actual words were to praise and Glorify God. Makes sense to me. She never knew the actual literal words but knew in her heart it was a prayer of praise. She could not control when she spoke in tongues. She told me sometimes when she prayed it just happened.

I have heard some churches screeching and wailing and this sounds nothing like the fervent prayer coming from my Mothers mouth in a strange language. So yes sometimes gibberish and sometimes for the purpose of the witness.

Moments before my Mother died she said 2 things. 1)the angels the angels and 2) Oh the Love, the Love and then she passed. She is in Heaven, I am quite sure of it. :angel1:

 

[jean8]

I want to know what the official catholic teaching is. and until you can provide me with such, i do not want to discuss this any further.

Cole,
The gift of tongues is given to believers, but not all receive this gift.
With your present atitude , I think you woulld be one. not to receive the gift.
See 1Cor.12-and 14. Acts 10:44, 19:6
I checked the Catechism See 768, 769, 800, 801 1830-31-32

God bless you,
jean8

 

[antonabe]

My reply to Ruby T does not seem to appear and it is repeated.
Thank you for your inspiring contribution.It is possible that what appears to be gibberish to us may be a song of praise with the help of the Holy Spirit.Hitherto I thought it was gibberish but not any more after your sincere testimony.God Bless You.

 

[RubyT]

Dearest antonabe, Thank you for your kind words.

Hint Hint wrap the quote by pushing the wrap the quote button after you paste the quote. First paste the quote than highlight it and click the page icon. It is the icon of a little page below the back(redo) arrow. This way your words are separated from the persons quote. I did the same thing multiple times before I figured it out. Try it and then preview your post. This is a great site but it took me awhile to figure out. I am sure we aren’t the only ones. Bless you my friend.

 

[RubyT]

im going to “ask an apologist”. look i dont know what your talking about, there is a way mass is supposed to be. one does not start rambling on in a rediculous manner. and since you refuse to do so, i will look it up.

I want to know what the official

catholic teaching is. and until you can provide me with such, i do not want to discuss this any further.

what i am trying to get through here is that i want to know what the catechism

has to say. not in the bible, which can be easily misunderstood.

Cole, I say this with love and kindness. You seem frustrated that we are not directly giving you the answers you seek. Jean8 has given you several catechism resources. Check them out. Perhaps your answer is best found in a catechism class rather than this forum. Or you could start a post with your question in the Ask an Apologist forum. Just some suggestions to relieve your frustration. Wishing you well.

 

[guanophore]

im just telling you what i have been taught as catholic since i was a child. why dont you provide me with a source for your claims?

Since what I have said is Catholic teaching, wouldn’t it make more sense for you to provide a source for your claims? I am sorry that you were poorly catechized as a Catholic. Unfortunately, this is all too common. It happened to me also, and I departed from the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church for about 20 years while I wandered in the badlands of Sola Scriptura. By the grace of God, I found my way back. Not everything we were taught as a child is Catholic.

 

[RubyT]

I say this with love and kindness…

I don’t understand how anyone can claim that speaking in tongues is gibberish. The Bible - the WORD of God repeatedly discusses speaking in tongues as a gift of the Spirit. What I hear in this post is that some folks think that is is okay to have an opinion which is not in line with what the Bible (the Word of God) tells us. Now in my view that is self appointed gibberish. Read your Bible people and not only Acts or Corinthians see Romans.

Romans 12:5,6

“so we are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another”.
“And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each excersise them accordingly”

How can you have an opinion that clearly refutes what the bible says? Your opinions are mere fleshly statements… look to the Bible for your answers. If you believe the Bible then there is no debate, speaking in tongues is a gift if the spirit. Only God decides who recieves this gift. Who are you fleshly beings to decide what God had given. Pray for these gifts in earnest so that you may be closer to God and awaken your Spirit. Don’t dismiss them as man made, if they were man made they would not be mentioned in the Bible.

Romans11:34 “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?”
Or WHO HAS GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the Glory forever Amen."

and Amen.

 

[guanophore]

I say this with love and kindness…

I don’t understand how anyone can claim that speaking in tongues is gibberish. The Bible - the WORD of God repeatedly discusses speaking in tongues as a gift of the Spirit.

I think it is because people forget what Jesus said about understanding spiritual mysteries “the flesh (carnal mind) availeth nothing).”

1 Cor 14:2-3
2 For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit.

If one does not believe that this is possible, then one will only interprete what one hears as “gibberesh.”

 

[fewnotmany]

Originally Posted by fewnotmany View Post
IMHO, you are mistaken the word ‘perfect’ for something other than the sense that Paul is using the word for perfect; which is the greek word Teleios (tel’-i-os). Teleios can also mean mature.

Keeping in the context of Paul’s letter, when you read the very next verse, mature is a better translation then perfect.

1Co 13:11 - When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

. . . on what basis do you determine that the Church has reached “maturity”?

For the sake of brevity, I’ll avoid laying out the dots and trying to connect them.

Speaking in tongues has been discarded because at the time of Paul its purpose has been used up. What was the purpose of speaking in tongues? To preach the gospel. Hasn’t the Roman Catholic Church done a more effective job of preaching the gospel through the Euchrist?

 

[kathymc]

this is my first time here and this interests me because abiut 2 years ago i was going through alot of problems with my husband and his family and one night i had a horrific dream, more like a nightmare anyway in my dream i was fighting with i thought it was the devil, i never saw him but i had the horrified sense of that was who it was, while i was sleeping started crying, mouning and my husband said i was talking in tongues, he could not understand what i was saying, but when i woke up i remembered the dream down to every detail, how could someone talk in tongues if they have never did it before and what could it mean, this has bothered me for so long. can anyone tell me