Subject: is tounges a sign of holyghost |
Bible Note: Hi, Ed... Yes, I agree that it appears throughout history, both in and out of the church. I've done a bit of digging in my books and electronic library. I was rather surprised at some of what I found. Let me summarize: After the time of the Apostles, tongues appears again in the second century with a convert by the name of Montanus. His teachings -- which would be recognizable by us today -- gained significant acceptance. Probably the most influential of Montanists was Tertullian of Carthage (about 160 AD). Ultimately its adherents split from the church. The rise of Montanism that originated the great synods of the church. In addition, the Montanists insistence on what they called "new prophecy" also gave the church the impetus to establish the canon of scripture -- a closed canon. By the time of John Chrysostom Montanism (360 AD) had been discounted and all but disappeared. It was Chrysostom who attested to the fact that speaking in languages had stopped altogether even among fringe groups where suspicion had held that they occurred. Justin Martyr, though he he states that he had "heard of prophetic gifts," does not even mention tongues. In fact, Dr. George Cutten of Colgate University, took a close look at any historical instances of this speaking in tongues. After thorough research, it was Cutten’s conclusion that in the ancient church at least, the church of the fathers, there was not one well-attested instance of any person who exercised speaking in tongues or even pretended to exercise it. However, outside of Montanism I did find a reference where Irenaeus in the second century claimed that he had encountered people who spoke all sorts of languages. The long centuries passed on into the Middle Ages. During this time there was so much stuff going on that was superstitious, mystical, inexplainable, awesome, weird, and monastic its hard ferreting out instances of New Testament spirituality, let alone anything about the gifts! The next thing that seems somewhat verifiable is around the early 1500's with Francis Xavier who claimed to have the ability to speak to people of India. Urbane VIII sanctioned this claim, which seems interesting in view of the things going on in Spain at the time. After the Reformation marked a great burst of vitality and hunger for truth. In this period there are a few incidents of "the ecstatic and the uncontrollable." It pops up among the Anabaptists, Munsterites, Albigenses, etc. It blossoms, however, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the founding days of America the Pilgrim fathers, Puritan leaders, Baptist preachers, Presbyterian divines, and Methodist laymen did not at all indulge in these practices. It continues to predominate outside of orthodox Christian circles. Note: This is not speculation, provocation, or interpretation. All I did was dig around in church history for glosia, as suggested. Therefore, if anyone has issues with what I found, please search out the sources and examine them for yourself. :-) It has been a long week and I'm tired of thinking for tonight! |