The time was early and the place was ancient. There were native tongues and foreign ones too, and some people could speak many tongues; it was a gift, to speak to imports in the language they understood, in order to share the Good News. Imagine going to Russia, and telling Russians, Jesus is the Saviour, without ever having to be taught their syntax, pronunciation, or official terminology! What about Icelandic? Have you ever heard a citizen of Iceland speak? Try to replicate that, genius. Sometimes, when I am feeling clever, I will try out my south African accent, but I fall short of sounding anything like the people that were born and raised in south Africa. In all my trips to Italy, I preferred to communicate non-verbally when possible, knowing that I sounded like a simpleton, when I attempted to parlay Italiano vero: "It is better to be silent and thought the fool, than to speak, and remove all doubt."
In Corinth, many a Christian was given the gift of speaking in tongues, meaning they were able to communicate with visitors that did not speak Greek, or when travelling abroad, they were enabled to share the gospel with words understandable to the listener. This is a uniquely wonderful gift, meant to establish a firm foundation of faith, because dear reader:
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Periodically, I speak Guacamolian, you know, avocado, red onion, cilantro, zest of lime, jalapeño, salt, cumin, sometimes tomato. When I speak Guacaomlian, people lick their lips, and start thinking along the lines of salsa and corn chips: that is when I know we speak the same language!
Here is what the apostle Paul taught the cocky Corinthians about speaking in tongues:
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine:? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that epeaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:5-14).
Oooga booga, ooooooga booga!
One of the reasons I did not attempt to speak Italian while in Italy, was my fear of sounding like an idiot. My proficiency in the English language, even if I decide to fabricate, may give me an air of intelligence to a listener. When attempting to speak another language in a land filled with speakers of that language, most of us will shy away from deep and meaningful conversation; the self-conscious among us may decide to simply learn the basics, as in, Where is the bathroom? and, May I have sugar for my cappuccino? The majority of travellers, most certainly do not feel comfortable speaking on subjects that require the use of ten or twenty five cent words, like existentialism. The Corinthians, on the other hand, were bright and shiny new Christians, and God gave them the ability to speak Kingdom and Christ language, to teach, to preach, to edify, for the saving of souls, and the glorification of God, without them having to use a translator, a dictionary, or be taught in a classroom. The gift was bestowed, and how marvellous a gift this would be, wouldn't you agree?
Now this brings us to what I do believe happened long ago... and far away. There are charlatans that weave their way in and amongst Christian circles, and there always will be. The apostle Paul pointed out that it is useless, and unfruitful, if you and I speak our foreign tongue to a stranger, while they look at us, head half cocked, listening without comprehending the meaning of a single word. How foolish is it, dear one, to talk and talk, without making sense? What sort of gibberish is this, a listener may ask, that sounds like mumbo jumbo, oooga booga, but does nothing for my mind, heart, or soul?
The speaking in tongues gift has been distorted, and turned into a mockery of the official biblical meaning of the ability. Words have significance, and are meant to convey messages; gibberish is not a language, and neither is speaking in tongues if the one making the sounds, hasn't a clue what they are saying, and if anyone nearby, is also clueless when listening.
I think a smartie pants sneaky person, came up with the brilliant idea, to pretend to speak a heavenly foreign language, that supposedly only God and angels could understand, to bamboozle people hearing them into believing, that they had a special gift bestowed from the Almighty, making them a favourite of heaven. Reading scripture simplifies the matter: speaking in tongues isn't senseless muttering, it is the ability to speak languages foreign to you and I, to speak the gospel, for the salvation of souls.
God is not weird or silly. God condescends to us, we do not rise to him. God speaks clearly from his word, and it behooves each Christian to study scripture daily to ensure they understand what God is teaching us, so that we can be stewards of his word, and forward the learning to budding Christians.
Words, do recall, have significance:
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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