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the gift of tongues

I was recently engaged in an interesting discussion regarding the gift of tongues. It started because of a reaction I had to a live worship CD on which the lead singer could be heard singing in tongues during one of the songs. My initial reaction to hearing this was something like, "Gosh, why in the world would they not edit that out?" It seemed to distract me more than anything else. Instead of being brought more into focusing on God, I instantly found myself focused on the singer.

When I shared my reaction with a friend (who also owns the CD), she quickly defended the singer and told me she had had a much different reaction. She had been blessed by the singer's worshipful "tongues." My friend argued that in our generation, the gift of tongues has been ignored or feared/misunderstood. She was really happy that this new worship CD would include the leader's tongues as part of the worship experience.

I argued back that tongues are meant for personal worship (unless they are given in the context where they can be interpreted). Paul even addresses this issue in one of his letters to the church in Corinth. He encourages them to desire the gift of prophecy because, unlike tongues, it edifies the body:

1 Corinthians 14:1-12
1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this. As a worship leader I've thought about this issue a lot. I personally speak in tongues and find that it is a wonderful gift that God has given to us - something that really has aided me in my worship and prayer life. But should I, as a leader (with a microphone) sing in tongues???

By Andrew Isaacs at 2008-08-04 13:59 | Theology | previous forum topic | next forum topic

what we're used to

A theologian told me that 1 Corinthians was an occasional epistle, that is, Paul had an occasion to write to the church at Corinth, and that must always be kept in mind when reading 1 Corinthians.

IMHO, Paul is responding to an excess he observed in the Corinthians worship practice, where uninterpreted tongues is pushing out the more body-edifying gift of prophecy. Please note v5 "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but..."

Sometimes I feel uncomfortable listening to someone else worship in tongues, but its just because I'm not used to it. If I'm that not used to it, then I'm with Paul in v5. We haven't graduated to the Corinthian's problem yet.

So the most relevant question seems to me to be: Do you think everyone is speaking in tongues during our worship to the extent that prophecy is being sidelined in our church? I've found that churches that are freely expressing tongues in worship are more freely expressing prophecy. I'd like to have a bigger helping of that, please.

We have prophecy in our services, some. But I think if we were more free in our expression of tongues, we'd see more people encouraged to prophecy as well. I barely ever hear anyone worship in tongues in our church, so I think for the time being we're safe from the excess that Paul was correcting in the Corinthian church.

Finally, I think hearing a popular worship leader worshiping in tongues will encourage others to seek that which Paul wanted everyone to experience (v5). And I'll change my assessment of this as soon as we have so much tongues in worship that there is no room for the prophecies to be given. That seems to be Paul's standard, anyway.

Thanks for bringing this up! Good issue. What do others think?
---
Your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! - The Message (1Pet1:23b)

By Jor Bratko at Tue, 2008-08-05 10:16 | login or register to post comments

congregation vs. up front

Jor, thanks for the response. That was really helpful, and I totally agree with your assessment of Paul's letter being based on the specific situation of the Corinthian church. Our own church body is certainly not erring on the side of too much speaking in tongues! And I, like you, would love for more of that to start happening.

I've heard different people over the years teach on the spiritual gifts, but I've rarely heard teaching on the "rules of engagement" during worship - the etiquette of tongues/prophecy, if you will.

One thing I've seemed to gather, however, is that a tongue given publicly (from the front) should be followed by an interpretation of that tongue. But a person worshiping in tongues from the congregation would not need an interpretation - because they are using the tongue for their own edification.

Leading worship creates a situation where both things are taking place. If I sing in tongues during the worship, I'm doing it as a personal act of worship to the Lord - I'm not "delivering a message" through tongues to the congregation. However, I am up front with a microphone, and everyone is directly hearing whatever I'm doing. That's why I've struggled to come to terms with this.

Since I'm in the front, mic'd, is it still okay to freely worship in tongues?

Would people be encouraged or distracted?

By Andrew Isaacs at Tue, 2008-08-05 11:48 | login or register to post comments

what's your posture?

If you are singing in tongues directly on-mic at full voice, then as a congregant I would pay attention and ask for an interpretation. If you back off the mic some, but I can still overhear you, then I would be encouraged that singing in tongues for personal edification would be appropriate during that time.
I think the distinction would be easy to recognize by the congregation. In the first case, you're giving a message in tongues, in the second, you're being an example of a worshiper. Your followers will be able to pick up on those cues very easily I think. I predict that the only ones with trouble recognizing the difference are those who are really uncomfortable with charismatic manifestations or completely unfamiliar with them. The unfamiliar will learn by seeing how the congregation reacts, the uncomfortable will have to work it through and we can provide help for both.

--
Your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! - The Message (1Pet1:23b)

By Jor Bratko at Tue, 2008-08-05 13:32 | login or register to post comments

This is great

I've enjoyed reading this. Jor, thanks for your bold encouragement and reminder about what Paul said in Corinthians. I find tongues to be so powerful. John Wimber described tongues as putting up an antenna so as to connect with God. Tongues seems to open the spiritual ears.

About giving a word in tongues, which is clearly biblical - I feel like why not just get a prophecy and skip the interpretation and awkward feeling of someone speaking what appears to be gibberish. Thinking out loud here, maybe God does it that way to see how people will respond to the supernatural.

Someone once said 'God offends the mind to reveal the heart." I've found that to be true. What is in your heart? Does God have to fit in a certain box for you to be comfortable? God wants to be who He is, and if we have a problem with that, I guess that is our problem.

Regarding recording someone singing in tongues - I think that can be a bit strange, but I bet if you were in the room at the time, it could have been really powerful. Sometimes in those situations 'you had to be there.' Kwim?

~ In Him, Helen ~

By Helen at Tue, 2008-08-05 15:48 | login or register to post comments

tongues in general

I have been part of many churches where tongues are used. The most powerful tongues I ever experienced were in those pauses of silence. They were followed by an interpretation and most the time in my spirit the interpretation was right on the money.
It does not matter who the tongues come from, what matters is their authenticity and interpretation.
On the other hand I've been in a service where almost every one was mumbling in tongues in that case I felt it was for personal edification.

By rrtr aka Ralph Raabe at Tue, 2008-08-05 18:35 | login or register to post comments

Finding a Balance

I've enjoyed reading your views on worshiping in tongues. I remember something John said, "having a balance is important". When I think about our church and the use of the gift of tongues in our congregation, I would say that we are out of balance. I would love to hear more people praying and singing in tongues. I believe that using this gift in public gives others the sense of the supernatural actively involved in our service.

By cnardi at Wed, 2008-09-03 08:00 | login or register to post comments

balance seasoned with truth

I am all for more tongues to express worship or prophecy but never at the cost of feeling it as a requirement.
It must be the spirit that speaks through us and not ourselves repeating a "shondo, condo, bondo" kind of line over and over again.

By rrtr aka Ralph Raabe at Wed, 2008-09-03 20:52 | login or register to post comments