Glossolalia, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “ecstatic
utterances,” is the uttering of unintelligible, language-like sounds while in a
state of ecstasy. Glossolalia is sometimes confused with xenoglossia, which is
the biblical “gift of tongues”. However, whereas glossolalia is babbling in a
nonexistent language, xenoglossia is the ability to speak fluently a language
the speaker has never learned.
Additionally, whereas xenoglossia is not an innate or natural ability,
studies have shown that glossolalia is a learned behavior. Research conducted
by the Lutheran Medical Center demonstrates that glossolalia is readily learned
by following simple instructions. Correspondingly, it was found that students
could exhibit “speaking in tongues” in the absence of any indications of
trance-like stupor or behaviors. Another test conducted with sixty students
showed that after listening to a one-minute sample of glossolalia, 20 percent
were able to imitate it precisely. After some training, 70 percent succeeded.
In just about every part of the world, glossolalia can be observed.
Pagan religions all over the world are obsessed with tongues. These include the
Shamans in the Sudan, the Shango cult of the West Coast of Africa, the Zor cult
of Ethiopia, the Voodoo cult in Haiti, and the Aborigines of South America and
Australia. Murmuring or speaking gibberish that is construed to be deep
mystical insight by holy men is an ancient practice.
There are basically two aspects to glossolalia. First is talking or
murmuring in language-like sounds. Practically everyone is able to do this;
even children before they ever learn to speak can mimic real language, though
unintelligibly. There is nothing extraordinary about this. The other aspect of
glossolalia is ecstasy or the demonstration of trance-like elation. There is
nothing unusual about this either, although it is more difficult to do
intentionally than to merely utter language-like sounds.
There are some Christians, especially within the Pentecostal movement,
who believe there is a supernatural explanation for glossolalia similar to that
described in the New Testament. They believe that the chief purpose of the gift
of speaking in tongues is to manifest the Holy Spirit being poured out upon
them just as on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), which was prophesied by Joel
(Acts 2:17).
Among those Christian churches who do espouse the practice of
glossolalia to one degree or another, there is no uniform agreement as to its
workings. For example, some are adamant that it is indeed a gift of the Holy
Spirit, while others minimize its importance, saying Paul taught that the gift
of “speaking in tongues” wasn’t nearly as important as the other gifts of the
Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 13). Also, there are those wishing to avoid
dividing the church on such issues by not speaking of it at all or dismissing
it as a simple psychological experience. Then there are those who regard
glossolalia as a deception of Satan himself.
Exotic languages are heard and understood throughout the world, but
existing languages are not heard or understood when spoken as “ecstatic
utterances” or “tongues”. What we do hear is a profusion of hype, claims,
confusion, and noise. We simply cannot declare, as at the time of the first
church, that “each of us hears [understands] them in his own native language”
(Acts 2:8 NIV).
Simply put, the practice of glossolalia is not the biblical gift of
tongues. Paul made it clear that the chief purpose of the gift of speaking in
tongues was to be a sign for those who did not believe and to spread the good
news, the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:19, 22).
