THE GREAT DEBATE

SORRY! I usually blog more during the week, but since Tuesday my time seems to have been consumed by religious debates. So if that does not interest you, come back tomorrow. I have got to get off this topic soon.

It started at Tuesday afternoon’s Bible Study. The question was innocent and had nothing to do with the prepared material. No problem. We have a go with the flow philosophy. I usually like these discussions or debates. But this was one of my least favorite topics.

The pastor of the church many of us attend comes from an Assembly of God background. Historically, they have believed that “tongues” are THE sign of the Holy Spirit on one’s life. Before I committed to attending I asked the pastor about his stand on the issue. He took a stand I could accept and live with. It is a private prayer language and while he would accept it publically, he does not believe it is the end all to end all and definitely not THE proof of a Spirit led life.

So the Tuesday statement was “I do not understand tongues. What are they all about.”? Good question and it took the next two hours. I thought it would end there. But after the pastor left, the questions came directed to me and continue to this day.

Please forgive me, but this is going to be sacrilegious. I grew up in an AG church that was adamant about what steps needed to be taken to be a child of God — and they were extremely pushy about it. At age 12 I made the obligatory walk to the front to “accept Christ.” This was done to please my father at one of the hell fire and brimstone tent revivals we always attended. At the alter call, he looked down at me and I knew what he wanted. I went forward I cried and the more I cried the happier those around me became. While I cried because I was frightened the bi-product was my conversion was settled for those alter workers. I thought it would be over. But no, the next step was to be filled with the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues. Frankly I was terrified. I also developed a plan.

I decided to memorize a number of “tongue” type phrases from the many people in the church and on the day I built up my courage I would go forward and “speak.” I was 13 when it worked. I was fully in and fully accepted. That also meant I was fully left alone. I was happy. They were happy. I guess everyone was happy.

I do accept that the gift of speaking in tongues is real. I do not have that gift. My father did and he often woke me up praying in the kitchen at 5:00 in the morning before he went to work. In fact, I used a fair amount of my speech from his prayers.

On the other side I have seen a great deal of confusion over the issue and heard many people turn and run from churches where they have heard this phenomena. In my opinion it frightens people away from the church.

The passage in I Corinthians 14 18-25 helped the confusion to grow.

1 Corinthians 14:18-25 (New International Version)

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:

“With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners 
I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

The underlined portion seems to be the point of confusion. On the one hand tongues seems to be for unbelievers, but if they come in will they no say you are out of your mind. Seems reasonable, as I have heard that said many times. It looks and sounds bazaar. But then it is for the unbeliever. Right? This entire chapter is about respectful worship and while Paul says he speaks in tongues, he wants to be understood.

It seems commentators interpret that passage based on their biases. Maybe not, but…! One says it should never be done in public, as it will offend the unbeliever. Makes sense to me since I have seen and heard of that very thing. On the other hand, if it is not done in public, how will it benefit the unbeliever? Whew! The conclusion to the passage is that everything should be done decently and in order. So what is decently and in order when it comes to tongues?

I do not know the absolutely correct answer to this problem, but I prefer to understand everything being said in church. I also accept tongues for use as a private prayer language. Maybe it is jealousy on my part since I do not have that gift. But I never wanted that gift. I like that I can teach and administrate. I’m satisfied.

This will not end the debate, and I will continue to be around for the arguments and confusion. After all, I do need to get my 2¢ worth in even if I’m wrong.