Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives

by Mark J. Cartledge (Editor)

Overview

Speaking in tongues (glossolalia) is a common spiritual phenomenon in the Pentecostal and Charismatic streams of the Christian church. Such Christians believe that when they speak in tongues they are communicating with God in a language that they have never learned--spiritual prayer language given to them by the Holy Spirit. This innovative volume seeks to enhance our understanding and appreciation of glossolalia by examining it from a range of different angles. Christian scholars from diverse academic disciplines bring to bear the insights of their own specialist areas to shed new light on the practice of speaking in tongues. The disciplines include: New Testament Studies--Max Turner Theology--Frank D. Macchia History--Neil Hudson Philosophy--James K. A. Smith Linguistics--David Hilborn Sociology--Margaret M. Poloma Psychology--William K. Kay A final chapter by Mark J. Cartledge seeks to show how all of these perspectives can work together and enrich a Christian appreciation of the gift of tongues.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781725231320
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	04/04/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	262
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Mark J. Cartledge is Director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the University of Birmingham, UK. He is interested in contemporary Pentecostal theology and empirical studies of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity. His most recent book is titled, Testimony in the Spirit: Rescripting Ordinary Pentecostal Theology (2010).
Mark J. Cartledge is Director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the University of Birmingham, UK. He is interested in contemporary Pentecostal theology and empirical studies of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity. His most recent book is entitled: Testimony in the Spirit: Rescripting Ordinary Pentecostal Theology (Ashgate, Ordinary Pentecostal Theology (2010).

Table of Contents

Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues ix

Acknowledgements xi

Title Description xiii

Contributors xv

Introduction xix

1 Early Christian Experience and Theology of 'Tongues' - A New Testament Perspective Max Turner 1

Introduction 1

Tongues in Acts 4

Paul's View of 'Tongues' 11

General Considerations 28

Conclusions 32

2 Babel and the Tongues of Pentecost: Reversal or Fulfilment? - A Theological Perspective Frank D. Macchia 34

Introduction 34

The Tongues of Pentecost as the Reversal of Babel 36

Babel as Judgment and Promise 39

Pentecost as the Fulfilment of Babel 43

Towards a Theology of Glossolalia at Pentecost 46

3 Strange Words and Their Impact on Early Pentecostals - A Historical Perspective Neil Hudson 52

Introduction 52

The Initial Experiences 53

A Second Opinion: A Period of Evaluation, 1901-14 63

The New Denominations and the Need for Doctrinal Clarity 72

Conclusion 79

4 Tongues as 'Resistance Discourse' - A Philosophical Perspective James K.A. Smith 81

Introduction 81

Resisting (and Producing) Concepts: Tongues and Philosophy of Language 83

The Politics of Tongues-Speech: A Language of Resistance 107

5 Glossolalia as Communication - A Linguistic-Pragmatic Perspective David Hilborn 111

Introduction: Glossolalia, Syntax and Semantics 111

Glossolalia, Semiotics and Pragmatics 117

Glossolalia and Speech Act Theory 119

Glossolalia and Implicature 123

Glossolalia and Relevance Theory 132

Conclusion 145

6 Glossolalia, Liminality and Empowered Kingdom Building - A Sociological Perspective Margaret M. Poloma 147

Introduction 147

Scholarship on Glossolalia: Key Findings 148

Glossolalia in Ritual Context: Exploring the Pentecostal/Charismatic Worldview 154

'Blood N Fire': Glossolalia in Context 159

Spiritual Warfare: Tongues, Trials and Tribulation 161

Divine Communication and Communion: Tongues as Personal Prayer 164

Tongues, Liminality and Community 169

Conclusion: Towards a Contextual Model of Glossolalia 171

7 The Mind, Behaviour and Glossolalia - A Psychological Perspective William K. Kay 174

Introduction 174

Early Psychological Assessments of Glossolalia 178

Psychological Research on Glossolalia in the 1960s 180

Psychological Research on Glossolalia in the 1970s 185

Psychological Research on Glossolalia After 1980 191

British Contributions from the 1990s 197

Conclusion 204

8 The Practice of Tongue-Speech as a Case Study - A Practical-Theological Perspective Mark J. Cartledge 206

Introduction 206

A Case Study: The 'New Wine' Conferences 208

Analysis of the Case Study 212

Theological Reflection on the Case Study 225

Conclusion: Towards a Renewal of New Wine Practice 232

Author Index 235