It is now necessary to bring this survey and study to a close. We have not covered every facet of the subject but we do feel we have laid a firm and reasonably comprehensive foundation. The question which forms our title has been answered. But we hope that we have not simply left the impression that the answer is, ‘No.’ The practice of modern Pentecostalism, whilst we must condemn it in general terms, also teaches us some vital lessons. In less than a decade it has spread like a bush-fire through many established churches. Why? Although there are no doubt several contributing factors, the reason which suggests itself most strongly is that in atmospheres where church ‘moderns’ have devalued the authority of the Bible, earnest seekers and sincere worshippers have been a ready breeding ground as a result of their starvation of things divine. Within our own circles the reason why some have been ensnared into this movement, in some cases (and these are quite clear cut) has been because the subject of the Holy Spirit’s operation today has not received fair treatment in our body, or, has received no treatment at all.
Modern Pentecostalism will never thrive in a healthy spiritual community where the Bible is diligently read and a loving prayerful atmosphere is engendered.
Now in taking a final look at the reasoning of those who practise tongue speaking today we will take the suggestions of a Pentecostal Pastor[1] who outlines “seven Biblical reasons for speaking in tongues”.
- That tongues are a sign that confirms we are witnessing to God’s Word. Mark 16:17, 18.
- Tongues are a vehicle of praise to God. Acts 2:7, 11 and Acts 10:45, 46.
- They are a supernatural means of praying. I Cor. 14:2 “For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men but unto God.”
- They are for self-edification. 1 Cor. 14:42.
- “He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself”. Tongues are a sign to unbelievers. I Cor. 14:22.
- Tongues are a supernatural means of taming the “restless evil” of the tongue. James 3:8. While speaking in tongues the Holy Spirit is in control and He will say nothing displeasing to God or man.
- As a means of ministry to believers. That is, when coupled with an interpretation that is a message to someone, or when someone knows the language of the ‘tongue’ and it is a message to them.
Now let us examine the validity of these reasons. The first point that quickly comes to mind is that several of these points are valid for the first century but it is quite another question as to whether they are valid for today. It is true that (1) tongues and other gifts were a sign to confirm the preaching of the word, but more often they were a sign that created the opportunity to preach. The sign was open and manifest. “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth arise and walk” (Acts 3:6) or “Stand upon your feet” (Acts 14:10), in both cases involving those who had been cripples from birth. Is modern Pentecostalism like this? Manifestly not.
In the case of (2), the giving of praise to God, it is easy to claim this for today as this is the substance of many alleged interpretations. With (3) and (4) it is vital we look up the passages in 1 Cor. 14. I have seen these ‘part’ quotes used again and again in Pentecostal propaganda magazines. The context is ignored. But Paul is saying that the main thing to aim at is to edify the church (vv. 4, 6, 12). He is pointing out that their over indulgence in tongue speaking was simply leading to self-edification whereas the edification of the church should be their aim. They were talking to God and neglecting to talk to men. It seems evident that Paul doesn’t consider tongues to be anything else but known languages (v. 10, 1 see R.S.V.) and that when he writes (v. 14) “if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful”, it is self-evident that he uses the word “spirit” in the sense of “breath” being used to utter speech. The speech may be unintelligible to him personally but nevertheless it is known somewhere in the world (cf. v. 911).
If it is intelligible to someone present then it becomes a sign to an unbeliever (5) and the day of Pentecost demonstrated this. As we have commented earlier, Pentecostalists make many claims to do this but none of their claims have been substantiated.[2]
There is a remarkable mixture of truth and error with, (6) the claim to tame the evil tongue. Obviously when the Holy Spirit was controlling a man and God was acting through him — nothing displeasing to God will escape his lips — but it might be displeasing to man! Obviously also, it should lead to a greater conviction and a greater desire to please God and lead holy lives on the part of those involved. But does it? It didn’t at Corinth. As far as the last reason (7) is concerned, 1 Cor. 14:5, demonstrates its truth as far as the 1st century is concerned — but the 20th Century is another matter!
A Psychological Study
In some churches today, the debate on this subject has become very intense. I get the impression that the Lutheran Church in particular, is trying to keep Pentecostalism at arms’ length. They were instrumental in getting the American National Institute of National Health (Behavioral Sciences Research Branch) to grant funds for a thorough Research. As a result, a report was issued in 1971 entitled ‘Relationships between Glossolalia and Mental Health’. More recently two of the authors of this report collaborated together in a further study which one of them, a clinical psychologist, Dr John Kildahl has just published in the Hodder Christian Paperbacks. It is called “The Psychology of Speaking in Tongues”. It is very good. It gives the impression of trying to be very fair. Its author claims that it is the result of 10 years concentrated study. He evidently has Christian convictions and his work is far more than just an academic analysis.
The study was very practical. Those involved travelled all over the U.S. and “met with a wide variety of church groups committed to the practice of glossolalia. Dozens of tape recordings were made of men and women speaking in tongues. We also spoke with non-tongue-speaking prayer groups which otherwise were equivalent in every possible way to those who were glossolalists.[3] This enabled them to make comparisons which in some cases were very revealing. Perhaps the most marked of these was what the author called “The Dependency Syndrome”. He wrote,[4]
“The principal difference between tongue-speakers and non-tongue-speakers was that the glossolalists developed deeply trusting and submissive relationships to the authority figures who introduced them to the practice of glossolalia. Without complete submission to the leader, speaking in tongues was not initiated. We never met a deeply involved tongue-speaker who did not have some leader to whom he looked for guidance. Even in casual questioning about their glossolalia experiences, tongue-speakers very quickly mentioned the name of the person whom they revered. They had a strong sense of leaning on someone more powerful than themselves, who gave them security and direction in their lives.”
The attitude of mind was not manifest in the comparative non-tongue-speakers that were studied. This reveals an abdication of personal decision and responsibility and this abdication is carried through into several facets of living where there seems to be a continual desire to create ways and means to ask the “Holy Spirit” for a decision at almost every step along the pathway of life. Not for a moment are we suggesting that there are not times when, in our perplexity, we come to God in prayer and ask Him to lead or reveal the way out of some problem. But the scripture comes to mind, “God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control”.
(2 Tim. 1:7 rsv). We are stewards who have been placed on their mettle. God expects us to show what we are made of.
Another interesting point in the book is the question of the mental health of the average glossolalist. In the past we have perhaps talked a little loosely about modern tongue speaking being a kind of disease or mental illness. The book reveals that the investigators found no marked difference in mental health between those who spoke in tongues and those who did not. They further commented,[5]
“What does it mean when we say that the two groups were equally mentally healthy? Here were our criteria: mental health is the ability to receive and give love and to take responsibility — to be loving and do productive work.”
Now this might not be quite what some have in mind as a definition of mental health. This is obviously an area of comment where we need to choose our words carefully. It is to be noted that it was “learned through careful interviewing that more than 85% of the tongue-speakers had experienced a clearly defined anxiety crisis preceding their speaking in tongues”[6] This introduces another aspect, and there are others.
It is beyond the intended scope of this article (and nor does it seem necessary) to follow right through this aspect of the subject, but we would commend this book to your reading if it interests you.
Another point raised is that of hypnosis and, although the author recognises “a similarity between what happens when people are induced to speak in tongues and the process of hypnotism”, he points to some differences and advocates further study of this angle.
The authors also make a study of those who have given up tongue speaking. They state that “a more thorough investigation needs to be made of this” but, as far as they went, they
“found that the crucial factor for their stopping the practice was a falling out with the authority figure who had introduced them to it. We noted that while the ex-tongue-speaker could still speak in tongues if he tried it did not seem a genuine experience with him and that he `did not feel any better for doing it.”[7]
They also heard many reports of tongues in known languages. They state,
“We had heard many stories about the identification of glossolalia as an extant, if obscure tongue. The typical story is that a foreign visitor to a meeting at which glossolalia is practised cries out, “That’s my language!” However, in the history of tongue-speaking there are no scientifically confirmed recordings of anyone speaking in a foreign language which he had never learned.”[8]
The interpretation of tongues was another line of investigation. They played a recording of tongues-speech to several interpreters. “In no instance was there any similarity in their interpretations” the authors report. When the interpreters were confronted with this fact, they did not seem to be perturbed claiming that “God gave to one person one interpretation of the speech and to another person another interpretation”.[9]
And now for a few reflections on this whole subject. When you take a close look at the ways of human nature in comparison to the ways of true saints, it can be seen that so much of human desire is wrong. Those who really come into the presence of God wait for Him to act — unless their human nature refuses to be subservient such as with Peter on the Mount of transfiguration. The desperate striving, indeed the demanding of what are imagined to be heavenly gifts by those obsessed with Pentecostalism is surely not a manifestation of the spirit of a true saint who is “humble and contrite of spirit.”
The words of Jesus to his disciples come to mind, “rejoice not that the demons are subject unto you but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). There is a tremendous principle to be learnt here. The carnal mind completely misses it. Pentecostalists have got their priorities wrong. And so can we!
One final word. It has been a cause of continual concern that so many in the brotherhood have a tendency to mentally black out any thinking that speaks in terms of the operation of the Holy Spirit today. One fear we have had in setting forth these articles has been that we would encourage this attitude. We must realize that the Holy Spirit is always in operation. The first Century dispensation of the Gifts, that the Church might be established, is surely but one phase of the operation of the Power of God since He created the world. If we really believe in the power of prayer we cannot help but believe in the present operation of the Holy Spirit. We may think, and quite rightly, that it has been a long night “when no man can work”, in the same way as Jesus and the Apostles. But the night is ending. The dawn is breaking. We should “lift up our heads”. It is still not our place to demand God’s gifts, but we should not blind ourselves to the likelihood that we will need the power of God to come through the final tribulation and to “stand before the Son of Man”.
Sources
[1] Howard M. Ervin “AND FORBID NOT TO SPEAK WITH TONGUES” p. 58-61 abridged.
[2] See the 5th article in this series, published May/June ’73.
[3] Quoted from Foreword.
[4] Ibid p.50.
[5] Ibid p.48.
[6] Ibid p.57.
[7] Ibid p.79.
[8] Ibid p.39.
[9] Ibid p.63.
Is Pentecost Happening Today? (Part 7) – Tongues Shall Cease