For those starting with this post, you may wish to go back and get the background of why these are appearing. I have always sensed a calling to answer those who mock, criticize, or diminish the on-going work of the Holy Spirit. It’s not because I feel like I have the intellectual firepower to answer every question, but it is more feeling like someone needs to defend the honor and place of the Holy Spirit Himself. I know He doesn’t need defending. The Holy Spirit has been managing His image for time and eternity and does not need me as His public relations person. The Holy Spirit is magnificently settled in His own identity. But He also inspired Paul to remind us that He can be quenched (I Thessalonians 5:19) and He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). The Bible unquestionably shows us that there are qualities and manifestations of the Spirit’s activity. We need to be reminded of these things on occasion and exercise caution as to how we discuss His presence in the life of the church and individual. Our personal feelings of discomfort with the Holy Spirit’s manifestation in a life or the Church is not a reason to dismiss Him. Sadly, many critiques of spiritual language boil down to an over reliance on rationalism and misidentifying what initially is thought to be emotionalism.
The second posted challenge to the speaking in tongues was much like the first, based on the individual’s veracity.
CRITIQUE #2 – “Tongues can be practiced in an ignorant, ungodly manner.”
I may surprise you. I have no real objection to the critique. I have known untold numbers of Christians who practice all sorts of spiritual gifts, precepts, ministry, and disciplines in a carnal manner. The critique is applicable across the board for almost everything. That said, the manner in which a gift presents itself is not necessarily an indicator of its validity. Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Let’s be clear, the Corinthian church, for example, twisted a lot spiritual things which provides no basis by which we would neglect the practice. They twisted small groups, faith, grace, marriage, communion, liberty, authority, spiritual gifts as a whole, salvation, the resurrection, and well…just about everything. The abuse of the practice does not automatically demand the disuse of those practices. Gifted Christian people have and will continue to do dumb, carnal things; yet the gift and practice remains. Yes, tongues can be twisted by attitude and practice. Corinth proves this. This is why gifts can be frustrating to use as metrics of spirituality. This isn’t an endorsement for carnality, but the reality of the our nature.
I think it’s important to remember that Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, especially in the area of tongues was to:
Order their use; not abolish their use.
-AND-
Distinguish between the two types of manifestations of spiritual language. (We will explore this in an upcoming post)
These two simple points can untangle all sorts of confusion when navigating I Corinthians 14. If you conflate the purposes and parameters of a personal prayer language with the public usage of tongues, you will never navigate chapter 14 in a coherent and consistent manner. Paul is dealing with two distinct aspects of tongues speaking. If the Bible student misses this important point (and many do), it will completely create problems with the interpretation of what Paul was setting in order. This is the problem with the critic who posted:
I Corinthians 14:4, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
This verse has been used (incorrectly) to suggest that the use of tongues in a church setting is “drawing attention to oneself” or an ignorant, carnal usage. This is simply not the case. The Greek word for “edify” has to do with “building something up”. When one prophesies, the church is “built up” or strengthened. This is obviously a good thing. In fact, if a public tongue comes forth and is interpreted rightly (as a prophetic utterance), it too can “build up” the church as congregants can hear the heart of God and be encouraged by the message. A private tongue (praying in the spirit), has the ability to “build up” the individual and strengthen them personally in the things of God. Verse 4, wasn’t a juxtaposition of two opposite qualities, but an elaboration of what takes place with individual and public usage. The practice of spiritual language “builds up” a person’s faith walk. Jude said as much…
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,” (Jude 1:20).
I Corinthians 14:4, is actually communicating exactly the opposite of what the critic wanted to underscore. An individual expression of tongues in the public service is not de facto an ignorant or ungodly (self-seeking) act, but quite possibly a personally uplifting moment initiated by the Holy Spirit.
This is why, it can be appropriate that the congregation together prays or sings in the spirit (tongues) without interpretation. They are speaking or singing TO GOD and not to people (which would need interpretation). We will pick this up and explain more fully tomorrow as we deal with the “interpretation” requirements. I guarantee you, some of you will be surprised as to what the Bible actually says.
Stay tuned…
No Comments