Speaking in tongues

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Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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@Dino246

The gifts listed as Spiritual Gifts can also be found in other religious traditions. I don’t think that say the prophesying of a shaman in some remote village is any less ‘real’ or accurate than that of a Christian doing the same thing – the context and message would obviously be different based on culture, beliefs, and whatnot, but there’s essentially no difference. Same with healing and other spiritual gifts. So in a sense, somewhat to your point, these things are not specific to Christianity.
I don't have a problem with any of that, because those who worship demons may be empowered by those demons with superhuman abilities. There are examples within Scripture (Pharaoh's magicians, the slave girl in Acts, etc.).

The entire context of 1 Corinthians 12-14 is gifts given/empowered by the Holy Spirit. Mere human abilities (like learning languages) was not the context.

If you want to make a coherent argument that "speaking in tongues" is merely speaking in languages unfamiliar to the local people, then you must also provide a naturalistic explanation for prophesying, discerning spirits, and working miracles. You must also account for those newly baptized in the Holy Spirit in Acts 10 and 19 to be speaking in tongues. If all they were doing was speaking in their native languages, it would be nothing special and unworthy of being recorded in Scripture.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
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Your red herring will not detract from the fact that Ezekiel was referring to the temple to be built after the return from the BAbylon captivity. HE SAYS SO.............GO READ and quit bother

What you "suspect" does not matter to me.
The COMPLETE title of Irenaeus writings was Against Heresies and Tongues.
I laughed out loud at your title for Irenaeus writings. But something tells me you weren't joking, that maybe you are just really confused. If that's a joke, it's an irresponsible one because on a forum like this, someone is bound to believe you. Irenaeus was not against tongues. Where do you get the idea that 'and tongues' was added on the name of the book 'Against Heresies.' I've never seen anyone add that on the title in English or Greek.

Irenaeus was referring to the apostles and I suggest you actually READ those Against Heresies Irenaeus mentions tongue speaking in his writing. He cited Acts 2 with no comment and applied it to the ability to speak a foreign language with no prior knowledge.
Why don't we actually look at quotes from Irenaeus, and his clearly non-cessationist statements about the situation at that time, including raising the dead:


This is about people, in the late second and/or early third century casting out demons, having foreknowledge, seeing visions, giving prophecies, healing by laying on of hands, and raising the dead.
Against Heresies (Book II, Chapter 32)

Wherefore, also, those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform [miracles], so as to promote the welfare of other men, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ], and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years. And what shall I more say? It is not possible to name the number of the gifts which the Church, [scattered] throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which she exerts day by day for the benefit of the Gentiles, neither practising deception upon any, nor taking any reward Acts 8:9, 18 from them [on account of such miraculous interpositions]. For as she has received freely Matthew 10:8 from God, freely also does she minister [to others].

5. Nor does she perform anything by means of angelic invocations, or by incantations, or by any other wicked curious art; but, directing her prayers to the Lord, who made all things, in a pure, sincere, and straightforward spirit, and calling upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, she has been accustomed to work miracles for the advantage of mankind, and not to lead them into error. If, therefore, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ even now confers benefits [upon men], and cures thoroughly and effectively all who anywhere believe in Him, but not that of Simon, or Menander, or Carpocrates, or of any other man whatever...
Here is one about speaking in tongues.
Against Heresies (Book V, Chapter 6)
For this reason does the apostle declare, We speak wisdom among them that are perfect, 1 Corinthians 2:6 terming those persons perfect who have received the Spirit of God, and who through the Spirit of God do speak in all languages, as he used Himself also to speak. In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God, whom also the apostle terms spiritual, they being spiritual because they partake of the Spirit, and not because their flesh has been stripped off and taken away, and because they have become purely spiritual.
Source:
Translated by Alexander Roberts and William Rambaut. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.
From the New Advent website.

Warfield really had to grasp at straws to try to put a case together that Ireneaus was honest but basically did not know what he was talking about.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
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I laughed out loud at your title for Irenaeus writings. But something tells me you weren't joking, that maybe you are just really confused. If that's a joke, it's an irresponsible one because on a forum like this, someone is bound to believe you. Irenaeus was not against tongues. Where do you get the idea that 'and tongues' was added on the name of the book 'Against Heresies.' I've never seen anyone add that on the title in English or Greek.



Why don't we actually look at quotes from Irenaeus, and his clearly non-cessationist statements about the situation at that time, including raising the dead:


This is about people, in the late second and/or early third century casting out demons, having foreknowledge, seeing visions, giving prophecies, healing by laying on of hands, and raising the dead.

Here is one about speaking in tongues.


Source:
Translated by Alexander Roberts and William Rambaut. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.
From the New Advent website.

Warfield really had to grasp at straws to try to put a case together that Ireneaus was honest but basically did not know what he was talking about.
I have a number of Warfields tomes. Tough reads all of them.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
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With respect to Greek - After Alexander’s conquests, Greek eventually came to replace native indigenous languages in these lands – the process was faster in some places than in others. In some places, such as Egypt, the result was virtually the same as it was for English after the Normand Conquest – the influence of Greek fundamentally changed the entire language. Egyptian is perhaps the best example. Not only did the entire language change, but even the way it was written for thousands of years was changed. Large cities where Jews tended to live such as Alexandria were essentially all Greek speaking.
Just have a look at the map in the Wikipedia article on provential languages of the Roman Empire. There were quite a number of languages spoken. If you consider the number of dialects, there would have been quite a number of them just based on what scholars know of. Some language groups may not have left any written record, writing only in Greek, for example.

By the time Paul wrote to the Galicians, Greek had long replaced their original Celtic language. Many other languages followed suit; by the first century AD, they were dead, having long since been replaced by Greek.
Whoever put together the Wikipedia map disagreed if your assertion is that no Celtic tongue was spoken in Asia Minor. But there seems to be good evidence that Paul may have been written to south Galatia, calling them Galatians because they were a part of that province. The province's border was moved to the north, north of the first-missionary-journey churches after the first century, leading to confusion about where Biblical Galatia was.

Yes, there were converts in the crowd, but depending on where they came from, it’s likely Greek would have been their native language. Conversion to Judaism seems to have been happening more in the west (Greek speaking lands) than in the east.
If your guesswork about all the languages being wiped out (and other scholars apparently have evidence that disagrees) and if the converts happened to be just from the Greek speaking lands (provinces that apparently had diverse languages are dialects are mentioned in Acts 2, then you might have a chance at this theory being true? What you hold to is a very convoluted interpretation of a straightforward text. Ireneaus, for example, lived in the Roman world and interpreted it in a conventional manner, as did several others.

Many people who refer to tongues as ‘prayer language’ hold that they are, or sometimes can be, a real rational language. Hebrew and Aramaic seem to be the two main “go to” languages. Unfortunately, all such claims are anecdotal at best.
I guess it depends on what you call “professionally trained” – I’m a trained linguist, though I do not work professionally as a linguist.
What is your training? Do you have an advanced degree? Do you have a kind of broad undergrad degree (like I do. I focused a bit more on historical linguistics/classical philology type courses.)

The gifts listed as Spiritual Gifts can also be found in other religious traditions. I don’t think that say the prophesying of a shaman in some remote village is any less ‘real’ or accurate than that of a Christian doing the same thing – the context and message would obviously be different based on culture, beliefs, and whatnot, but there’s essentially no difference. Same with healing and other spiritual gifts. So in a sense, somewhat to your point, these things are not specific to Christianity.
Do you think Jesus and the apostles were just like pagan shaman, too? Tertullian pointed out that Christians cast what pagans thought were gods out of people when they cast out demons. The stick Moses threw down that turned into a snake swallowed up the ones the magicians threw down.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
18,303
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Your red herring will not detract from the fact that Ezekiel was referring to the temple to be built after the return from the BAbylon captivity. HE SAYS SO.............GO READ and quit bother

What you "suspect" does not matter to me.
The COMPLETE title of Irenaeus writings was Against Heresies and Tongues.

Irenaeus was referring to the apostles and I suggest you actually READ those Against Heresies
Irenaeus mentions tongue speaking in his writing. He cited Acts 2 with no comment and applied it to the ability to speak a foreign
language with no prior knowledge.
On the Detection and Overthrow of the So-Called Gnosis
is the correct name of the work written by Irenaeus.
 

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
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I laughed out loud at your title for Irenaeus writings. But something tells me you weren't joking, that maybe you are just really confused. If that's a joke, it's an irresponsible one because on a forum like this, someone is bound to believe you. Irenaeus was not against tongues. Where do you get the idea that 'and tongues' was added on the name of the book 'Against Heresies.' I've never seen anyone add that on the title in English or Greek.



Why don't we actually look at quotes from Irenaeus, and his clearly non-cessationist statements about the situation at that time, including raising the dead:


This is about people, in the late second and/or early third century casting out demons, having foreknowledge, seeing visions, giving prophecies, healing by laying on of hands, and raising the dead.

Here is one about speaking in tongues.


Source:
Translated by Alexander Roberts and William Rambaut. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.
From the New Advent website.

Warfield really had to grasp at straws to try to put a case together that Ireneaus was honest but basically did not know what he was talking about.
This is beyond stupid. Obviiously you have chosen some website that tries to support the sign gifts so you get what you want from it.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,082
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This is beyond stupid. Obviiously you have chosen some website that tries to support the sign gifts so you get what you want from it.
Notice a pattern here. You do not do your researcher and say what pops into your head as fact--and with a sassy, negative attitude at that. Are you about 19 years old? I hope you grow out of it soon.

You can look up those quotes in other sources and translations and they say basically the same thing. I would not be surprised if that site was Roman Catholic. If the Ethereal library or whatever the other site was called is up you can check that out.


There are blog posts written by Charismatics that quote actual primary sources on this. I did not even quote Justin Martyr arguing with a Jew that prophecy and other gidts were now done by Christians.

As far as speaking in tongues go, there are a number of quotes related to it. Chrysostom and Augustine talked or wrote about it as gaving occurred in the past. But Chrysostom was not a cessationist-- attributing the lack of miracles to the state of the church. And Augustine later recorded a number of healings in his older years.

There are plenty of accounts of prophecy, visions, healing, and miracles throughout church history. The church accepted prophecy as a gift in the 2nd century and did not become cessationist.

Eusebius' treatment of Montanism, made largely of quotes that went before, shows that church leaders accepted and affirmed the gift of prophecy, but that many rejected the legutimacy of Montanus' prophecies. After Montanus died, Eusebius records a debate in which a Montanist argued that prophecy had ceased but the debater from the church argued that the apostle taught prophecy would continue until the Lird return-- possibly thinking of I Christians 13 or I Corinthians 1:7.
 

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
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637
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Notice a pattern here. You do not do your researcher and say what pops into your head as fact--and with a sassy, negative attitude at that. Are you about 19 years old? I hope you grow out of it soon.

You can look up those quotes in other sources and translations and they say basically the same thing. I would not be surprised if that site was Roman Catholic. If the Ethereal library or whatever the other site was called is up you can check that out.


There are blog posts written by Charismatics that quote actual primary sources on this. I did not even quote Justin Martyr arguing with a Jew that prophecy and other gidts were now done by Christians.

As far as speaking in tongues go, there are a number of quotes related to it. Chrysostom and Augustine talked or wrote about it as gaving occurred in the past. But Chrysostom was not a cessationist-- attributing the lack of miracles to the state of the church. And Augustine later recorded a number of healings in his older years.

There are plenty of accounts of prophecy, visions, healing, and miracles throughout church history. The church accepted prophecy as a gift in the 2nd century and did not become cessationist.

Eusebius' treatment of Montanism, made largely of quotes that went before, shows that church leaders accepted and affirmed the gift of prophecy, but that many rejected the legutimacy of Montanus' prophecies. After Montanus died, Eusebius records a debate in which a Montanist argued that prophecy had ceased but the debater from the church argued that the apostle taught prophecy would continue until the Lird return-- possibly thinking of I Christians 13 or I Corinthians 1:7.
 

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
2,031
637
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Irenaeus Against Heresies of Marcus - Speaking in Tongues Anti-Christ

Irenaeus Against Heresies of Marcus describes modern speaking in tongues. Musical worship was always mixed up with charismatic women gladly following men who claimed to be inspired. The songs were speaking in tongues or magical incantations often repeating magical words or numbers over and over. The goal was always to lead weak men and women to look for God only through his agents.

Charismatic gibberish does not appear in the Bible except in two instances: First, the "lord, lord" sayers were musical prophesiers. They might be singing Hallelujah, Hallalujah over and over as a meaningles song. Jesus said "I don't even know your name."

Secondly, the uncovered women in 1 Cor 11:5 were usually "just out of paganism." They believed that imitating the gibberish of the Oracles of, say Delphi under Apollo, Abbadon or Apollyon, was speaking the truth. Paul said that he taught the same things in all of the churches. Furthermore, 1 Cor 13 identifes music with the lifeless instruments or carnal weapons of the soothsayers and warriors.

Thirdly, the word "charismatic" in the Greek and Latin resources are always identified with sexual perversion: all priesthoods had their "children piping in the marketplace.

hmmmmm
 

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
2,031
637
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Notice a pattern here. You do not do your researcher and say what pops into your head as fact--and with a sassy, negative attitude at that. Are you about 19 years old? I hope you grow out of it soon.

You can look up those quotes in other sources and translations and they say basically the same thing. I would not be surprised if that site was Roman Catholic. If the Ethereal library or whatever the other site was called is up you can check that out.


There are blog posts written by Charismatics that quote actual primary sources on this. I did not even quote Justin Martyr arguing with a Jew that prophecy and other gidts were now done by Christians.

As far as speaking in tongues go, there are a number of quotes related to it. Chrysostom and Augustine talked or wrote about it as gaving occurred in the past. But Chrysostom was not a cessationist-- attributing the lack of miracles to the state of the church. And Augustine later recorded a number of healings in his older years.

There are plenty of accounts of prophecy, visions, healing, and miracles throughout church history. The church accepted prophecy as a gift in the 2nd century and did not become cessationist.

Eusebius' treatment of Montanism, made largely of quotes that went before, shows that church leaders accepted and affirmed the gift of prophecy, but that many rejected the legutimacy of Montanus' prophecies. After Montanus died, Eusebius records a debate in which a Montanist argued that prophecy had ceased but the debater from the church argued that the apostle taught prophecy would continue until the Lird return-- possibly thinking of I Christians 13 or I Corinthians 1:7.

Unlike you who have read ALL of these early church writings in their entirety...in the original language,......poor me I must rely on others to translate them for me. Truly pentecostals are blessed beyond other Christians and we poor unblessed (which is most of believers today) must carry on as well as we can. (sigh)
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
8,268
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Anaheim, Cali.
Well definitions change over time. Gay used to mean happy or silly and queer meant counterfeit. I was taught Charismatic meant spirit filled like Pentecostals' or Assemblies' of God on one hand or sort of hypnotic in speech and appeal like Hitler or Mussolini on the other. Liberals stood for progress and change and conservatives stood against it. Lincoln was a liberal and Davis was a Dixiecrat that believed in non-biblical slavery. Car makers related efficiency with horsepower per cubic inch. Full gospel ministries believed of gifts like healing and speaking in tongues. (30 years ago.)

My question would be: Do you believe the Holy Spirit is still alive and well and still performs miracles today?

Irenaeus Against Heresies of Marcus - Speaking in Tongues Anti-Christ

Irenaeus Against Heresies of Marcus describes modern speaking in tongues. Musical worship was always mixed up with charismatic women gladly following men who claimed to be inspired. The songs were speaking in tongues or magical incantations often repeating magical words or numbers over and over. The goal was always to lead weak men and women to look for God only through his agents.

Charismatic gibberish does not appear in the Bible except in two instances: First, the "lord, lord" sayers were musical prophesiers. They might be singing Hallelujah, Hallalujah over and over as a meaningles song. Jesus said "I don't even know your name."



hmmmmm
 

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
2,031
637
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I think the catholic web sitte is "advent"
I use Ethereal

Are you about done with the slander?
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,510
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Anaheim, Cali.
If anyone says all who speak in tongues are fakes and 1 person truly speaks from or to the Holy Spirit in tongues, the person that said they all are fakes committed a sin that not even Jesus will forgive, Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

I don't speak in tongues but I am not willing to risk my salvation by calling names or making false accusations. Life is temporary. Hell is eternal!
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,672
13,364
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Irenaeus Against Heresies of Marcus - Speaking in Tongues Anti-Christ

Irenaeus Against Heresies of Marcus describes modern speaking in tongues. Musical worship was always mixed up with charismatic women gladly following men who claimed to be inspired. The songs were speaking in tongues or magical incantations often repeating magical words or numbers over and over. The goal was always to lead weak men and women to look for God only through his agents.

Charismatic gibberish does not appear in the Bible except in two instances: First, the "lord, lord" sayers were musical prophesiers. They might be singing Hallelujah, Hallalujah over and over as a meaningles song. Jesus said "I don't even know your name."

Secondly, the uncovered women in 1 Cor 11:5 were usually "just out of paganism." They believed that imitating the gibberish of the Oracles of, say Delphi under Apollo, Abbadon or Apollyon, was speaking the truth. Paul said that he taught the same things in all of the churches. Furthermore, 1 Cor 13 identifes music with the lifeless instruments or carnal weapons of the soothsayers and warriors.

Thirdly, the word "charismatic" in the Greek and Latin resources are always identified with sexual perversion: all priesthoods had their "children piping in the marketplace.

hmmmmm
You present the name of a document but no link, no quotes attributed to it, and no support for your assertions. In other words, you've provided nothing of substance to support your position.

Kindly either back up your assertions with actual evidence, or refrain from posting them.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,082
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If anyone says all who speak in tongues are fakes and 1 person truly speaks from or to the Holy Spirit in tongues, the person that said they all are fakes committed a sin that not even Jesus will forgive, Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Since the apostles spoke in tongues, that would be a foolish statement for people to make indeed. Is saying something is fake the same thing as blasphemy, or just bearing false witness? I dont' know where the lines are drawn, but would not what to do either.
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,510
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Anaheim, Cali.
Since the apostles spoke in tongues, that would be a foolish statement for people to make indeed. Is saying something is fake the same thing as blasphemy, or just bearing false witness? I dont' know where the lines are drawn, but would not what to do either.
Foolish being the key word. Amen!
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
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It's funny how something that has ceased, when done as prescribed by scripture, still produces the result scripture says it will produce.

Imagine that.
 

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
2,031
637
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You want research, I can give you PAGES of it.
I noted that your abuse of the early father's writings were so egregious that they did not warrant any response.
But if you really want pages and pages I can give you their ACTUAL quotes.
Whom shall I start with? :p