Speaking In Tongues

This is a response to some questions about speaking in tongues, from my recent post:

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Short Answer

The short answer is that “speaking in tongues” is a hoax and a fraud.

Not only is speaking in tongues a false doctrine, it is a mockery of Scripture. It deliberately twists and distorts the teachings from the New Testament in order to create the illusion of a spiritual “gift” that is both a) easy to fake, and b) easy to demonstrate in public. And while it is also easy to debunk using logic and the Bible, doing so does nothing to stop it.

Origin

The modern concept of speaking in tongues started in Los Angeles in 1906, thanks to William J. Seymour, a black American street preacher who wanted to generate interest in his church at a time when superstition was high and literacy was low, in a place where there was no consensus or tradition to stop him.

According to my research, Pentecostal churches are currently the fastest growing denominations in the world, as they aggressively push into foreign countries and try to impress the locals with their shenanigans. They have a gimmick, a fundraising system, and an ever-growing network dedicated to multiplying itself.

Using Logic

Let’s start with some basic logic. Nobody before the 1900s taught that “speaking in tongues” meant babbling nonsense. This is a wholly original idea that came out of nowhere with Seymour’s group. Even groups that had witnessed miracles and displayed a powerful moving of the Holy Spirit did not practice it, nor teach it, nor even desire such a thing. This confirms that the teaching is false, since God would not have waited ~1,800 years after Jesus to give people this gift.

Also, it should be obvious that the Pentecostal (and imitators) are not using a holy language spoken by angels. Languages have many words, unique diction, pronunciation, and grammar. But the sounds made by these false apostles are never consistent, and they do not resemble any of the rules of language. They loop the same few syllables over and over, because the mind tends to shut down when it’s forced to repeat a mindless task. It’s extremely difficult to make long or complex “sentences” when you’re spouting gibberish and are not communicating anything real. Unless there are an infinite number of angelic languages—perhaps even unique to every person!—then this shows how each person babbles according to their own imagination, without rhyme or reason. In other words, a hoax.

Also, why would God give millions of these people the same gift to “speak in tongues” (which helps nobody) but not prophecy, healing, or something else that would be much more important? The Bible compares these gifts to different parts of a body, suggesting that they should be somewhat evenly spread out and diverse, not just one thing endlessly repeated.

Also, why does their form of “speaking in tongues” perfectly match what anybody sounds like (including little children, who just do it for fun,) when they want to spout babbling nonsense? Shouldn’t there be some way to differentiate the real from fake? Do they teach that there are fakers? Are they offended at this? Did God give them so many people with the “gift” just so create confusion in the church? That doesn’t make sense.

Using Scripture

The key Greek word in question is glóssa, from which the English language derives “glossary” (a list of words and definitions) and “polyglot” (a person who speaks multiple languages). It can refer to an actual tongue, but it always implied actual language. We often referred to other cultures or races as sharing a “common tongue”. In other words, it is correct for all modern interpretations to provide the best fit for this word, which is “language” and not “tongue”. Because at no point in church history was this a considered magical word meant to imply babbling, gibberish, or nonsense, until a certain street preacher took advantage of people’s ignorance on the subject!

Now let’s start quoting scripture and making some notes, starting with the largest section on the topic, found in 1 Corinthians. I’ll mark the certain points with numbers so I can refer to them after.

(1 Corinthians 12:7-11) Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given [1] for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another [2] speaking in various languages, and to still another [3] the translation of languages. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.

1. The common good is important. They are meant to be beneficial, not just showing off in front of others.

2. The actual gift the Bible speaks about is the ability to speak a diversity of real languages. This makes perfect sense for the first century believers, who were traveling to different parts of the world and spreading the Gospel for the first time to new cultures. This may still happen today, although very few put themselves in a position to test it. This also showed the Jews that their own language was not the only one God wanted to use; it was proof that God was going truly global with his message, not just to the Jews, Greeks, and Romans.

3. The translation of language is just as important as the ability to speak it. Why do those who emphasize speaking in tongues never show us people who can interpret the messages? It’s also a “gift”! I’m guessing it would get very awkward for their congregation if somebody came in and started claiming to interpret what they were saying. That person could have a very fun time, however!

Let’s continue further down the same chapter:

(1Cor 12:27-31) Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. And in the church God has appointed [1] first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various languages. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in languages? Do all translate? But eagerly desire [2] the greater gifts.

1. The New Testament lists God’s appointments in the churches, from most important to the least important, and speaking different languages is at the bottom of the list.

2. He even says that we should eagerly desire the “greater” gifts, reinforcing that speaking languages is not what anybody should be seeking. Makes you wonder why an entire movement of Christianity is devoted to that one gimmick, and they seem to have no interest in the greater gifts!

And let’s jump two chapters ahead, where the discussion of these gifts continues:

(1 Corinthians 14:1-5) Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, [1] especially the gift of prophecy. For [2] he who speaks in a language does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. [3] But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. [4] The one who speaks in a language edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

I wish that all of you could speak in languages, but [5] I would rather have you prophesy. [6] He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in languages, [7] unless he translates so that the church may be edified.

1. Prophecy is specifically highlighted as the most desirable spiritual gift. This could have been particularly important during the early church, when confusion and anxiety must have been everywhere, and knowing the future (ie. prophecy) would have been very comforting.

2. Here we have a description that people who speak foreign languages “do not speak to men, but to God” and even the clear remark that “no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit” but this does not change the definition of glóssa to suddenly mean “babbling” or “gibberish”. It’s a very subtle and crafty invention to twist these verses into an entirely different meaning! Rather, that person would have been participating in the assembly of brothers, but forgotten how to speak the common language they all understood; or perhaps they just wanted to show off that they could speak a language they didn’t. Either way, they would have been speaking a real language and trying to take part in the worship.

3. Once again, prophecy is encouraged because it edifies, encourages, and comforts people. What good does babbling (whether a real foreign language or the Pentecostal version of actual gibberish) do for anyone?

4. Paul did say that these foreign language speakers were speaking “to God” before, but notice that now he emphasizes how they essentially speak to themselves. This is contrasted against a prophetic gift, which actually helps everyone to feel better and have some certainty about the future.

5. You can notice that the more Paul is writing to them about these gifts, the more the Holy Spirit is urging him to discourage speaking foreign languages, and instead promote prophecy directly as a “rather” statement. Although he acknowledges it would be nice if they all spoke different languages, this “rather” statement is a bold choice of words!

6. Now there’s no competition: Paul outright says that the one who prophecies is greater than the one who speaks languages…

7. …UNLESS he can also translate it for others! This is a crucial principle: the benefit of the “common good” is much more important than showing off! Clearly, the people Paul was dealing with did not bother to translate their language, and neither do the babbling hoaxers in the Pentecostal movement! They have dozens of people mumbling and babbling to themselves, for no reason! It’s a disgrace to the orderly, sensible, and edifying principles that the New Testament calls for.

This alone should steer anyone who reads away from the dangerous and foolish doctrine of “speaking in tongues”. Even if we did forget the fact that “tongues” simply means “languages” and accepted that these people really did have gifts from God, the way they practice it in their own churches is completely opposite of how the church is supposed to operate. Interrupting, chanting, babbling, and being a distraction is directly contrary to Christian behavior. Paul only mentions how they speak mysteries to God in order to highlight their behavior so that he can tell them to stop it!

Paul’s warning against useless “tongues”

Believe it or not, Paul then goes even harder against those who bother the rest of the assembly with their foreign tongues. When we study it closely, we get the impression that Paul is becoming fed up with these people the more he thinks about it. Perhaps the Holy Spirit was giving him a vision of our current blasphemous Pentecostal hoax, so that he became eager to call out these people so they would have no excuse for their behavior and false doctrine.

(1Cor 14:6-9) Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in languages, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some [1] revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing [2] unless the notes are distinct? Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? So it is with you. [3] Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

1. Even if a person did speak in a “tongue”, Paul makes the point clear: they should be quiet unless they have something meaningful to contribute, such as a revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching!

2. Rambling and being indistinct is specifically condemned as worthless!

3. “Intelligible words” are what matters! By this point, Paul goes as far as to say they are “speaking into the air”, showing that he has lowered his opinion again! They have gone from speaking mysteries to God, to speaking to themselves, and now just making noise into the air like an instrument that doesn’t work. Ouch!

(continued…) Assuredly, there are [1] many dialects in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. [2] If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. Therefore, [3] the one who speaks in a language should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a language, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

1. “Dialects” here is the Greek word phonon, which is differernt from glóssa. It emphasizes the voice or sound we make, rather than the words and culture. That’s why we have “phones” and “phonetics” for audible sources; it’s not so much the language itself, but the sound you hear. Since Paul has just finished comparing these foreign language speakers to instruments, it makes sense that he would compare the languages of the world to different noise-makers.

2. Here it’s even more clear that the whole question of “tongues” is about foreign languages. They are essentially just foreigners in the middle of a group assembly, and make others feel like foreigners to them, rather than brothers who help each other learn and grow.

3. EVERYONE who speaks in “tongues” — whether that’s gibberish or a foreign language — needs to pray for the ability to directly translate the words for others, or else they are not being fruitful. Yes, even their own minds are unfruitful during their prayers! Clearly these people are not able to translate their own words, even to themselves! That’s not good.

(v. 18-19) I thank God that I speak in languages more than all of you. But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a foreign language.

Do you see, readers? Five coherent words is worth more than TEN THOUSAND words that don’t make sense to others! Anyone who promotes a church fueled primarily by constant babbling and gibberish is a servant of Satan, who loves to make a mockery of Christianity.

Rules for “tongues”

Paul actually gives specific rules for how they should handle foreign language speakers, which is also disobeyed by the Pentacostal churches for some reason:

(v. 27-33) If anyone speaks in a language, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must translate. But if there is no translator, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

Do they have at most three people speaking in turn? And do they always have a translator, without exception? No, they never do.

And somebody will ignore all of the above just to highlight that it says “speak only to himself and God”, but ignore even the very words before it, which says “REMAIN SILENT”. There is absolutely no noise coming from the mouth a person who is silent. Nobody who mumbles, rambles, or babbles in church is serving God; they are either mentally ill, confused, or serving Satan.

Yes, even these early Christians who did not know what was happening were being admonished for being disorderly. How much more should we not warn those who rebel against all of this good advice from the Bible just to show off their hoax?

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Afterword

Brothers and sisters, I have attended a Pentecostal church before, and I believe God arranged it to allow me to see just how hollow it was. It was one of the most depressing experiences of my life. The sermon was lifeless, totally devoid of substance, and lacked any study of the scripture at all. The crowd was bored, mostly empty, and the few who did attend were mentally ill, rambling incoherently the entire time, regardless of what was being said. It was eerie and spiritually dead.

I know that Pentecostal churches are supposed to be “charismatic” and full of exuberance, energy, and the power of trance-like herd behavior, but God showed me what it was deep down: spiritual zombies making noises at each other.

And before anyone says that this argument is about whether or not God still does miracles or gives gifts to people in the modern age, don’t bother. I fully believe that God does miracles every day, and that he does give gifts to people around the world. However, I believe the vast majority of these gifts are being given to people in dire situations in foreign countries, not in our civilization. We have the benefit of the Bible, churches, and freedom of speech to spread the message, but I have heard amazing testimony from China and the Middle East that tells me God’s still doing supernatural things in places where that’s what it takes!

May God help those in the Pentecostal churches to escape from their zombie state and enter into a real relationship with the Scriptures and Christ, free from the powerless and false doctrine of a con men from a century ago.

Lastly, I have done research on this topic a few times before, but I am open to discovering more nuance about it. If you’re more knowledgeable in Greek, or in the history of this practice, feel free to share it with us.