Fascinating read my friend. I grew up in a movement that was primarily continuationist in theology but cessationist in practice. Speaking in tongues has always bewildered me a bit but I love hearing stories from people who have experienced it in an authentic way. Thank you for being very transparent and open about your lack of certainty around this issue. I think that honest read is much more refreshing than the alternative.
Thanks for your kind words. I’ve become increasingly suspicious of certainty around anything having to do with how God must (supposedly) work. And I’m trying to model that with my own vulnerability. And to do it without cynicism because I think we have enough of that of that in the world these days.
i think it’s going to be helpful for a lot of people. my experience in beginning to speak in tongues was far less sexy than all my friends’ stories. it began with simple obedience in my bedroom of praying for the gift and then practicing it daily over time. i believe i was baptized in the holy spirit upon conversion 15 years ago and it was only this past january that i began praying in tongues. probably half the time i feel like i’m not actually doing anything, while the other half it feels like sweet communion. your post honestly was a breath of fresh air for me having had this experience. so shoutout to you for being honest and spontaneously writing this gem. also shoutout to andy, his music rules.
A great read - also Andy’s music has been healing for me also.
To encourage you I grew up IFB and then as a young adult chose non - denom. I never knew what a charismatic was at that age but started experiencing things I couldn’t explain. So I interviewed people for my own personal sake. Not a podcast, journal, but just questioning people until I found answers that helped me.
A very common experience I learned was that some people experienced supernatural events very ordinarily. Which sounds like an oxymoron.
But I remember one story of someone experiencing being slain in the Spirit as if everyone was faking it because it felt so normal. Yet, after multiple questions and testimonies it came down to a mysterious event that could not be explained. If someone chooses to believe in Jesus and interviews the people I did, the only answer was the Holy Spirit slaying them. Yet they expressed “how could it feel so normal?” Then a pastor said so gently and wisely, “Jesus was too normal for the Pharisees to recognize- the Spirit of Jesus may meet us in ordinary moments similar to that. But we have the opportunity to choose to believe it is supernatural events even when it is revealed as ordinary.”
I am blessed by your testimony and confession. It is refreshing and I hope that my testimony blesses you as well. I grew up IFB, non-denom, and now I’m a Pentecostal. Sure a lot of folks have faked and lied about experiences but there is something about living without a breakthrough and still pursuing Jesus anyway. Which I think you make that point beautifully. Breakthrough is coming either in this life or in the resurrection. I wonder if resurrection will feel ordinary or supernatural? (That might be the title to my next article.)
As a used to be Baptist, I was encouraged to think that all pentacostals were "faking it" when speaking in tongues. It was something we rolled outlr eye about when it was brought up. A proof of group think. Good we were immune, right?
As someone who has moved past the tribalism, I've come to appreciate the practice. I don't don't speak in tongues, and doubt I ever will. I'm not Baptist anymore, but would still describe myself as born again.
Is there an element of "faking it"? Maybe... But I think the importancenof the practice is being open to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Maybe the practice tongues is just for our own benefit. For proving to ourselves that we are, in fact, open. Reaching that open state of mind, that intentional invitation is so important to relationship with God, all of God.
I think that tongues in the way that you're describing your experience is an example of liturgy. It's a practice meant to be done for the sake of doing it, allowing for us to just go through the motions. The point is to hold space, to build the discipline, to look back and "Yes, I did that. And I did it because I care, not then but overall. Over ALL the times I did it" And that's holy.
Just like singing the doxology, or reciting the Lord's Prayer, or communion. The point isn't that we're wrapped up in feeling (although it's beautiful when it happens). The point is just that we do it.
Yeah, I actually think sacramental theology bolstered my theology of tongues. There’s a lot to say there, but generally links up with what you’ve said!
Fascinating read my friend. I grew up in a movement that was primarily continuationist in theology but cessationist in practice. Speaking in tongues has always bewildered me a bit but I love hearing stories from people who have experienced it in an authentic way. Thank you for being very transparent and open about your lack of certainty around this issue. I think that honest read is much more refreshing than the alternative.
Thanks for your kind words. I’ve become increasingly suspicious of certainty around anything having to do with how God must (supposedly) work. And I’m trying to model that with my own vulnerability. And to do it without cynicism because I think we have enough of that of that in the world these days.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
I’m glad you found it worthwhile 🥹😊
thanks for sharing this, man
🙏🙏🙏 I told my wife yesterday that I spontaneously decided to write it so the story wouldn’t be a source of embarrassment for me anymore
i think it’s going to be helpful for a lot of people. my experience in beginning to speak in tongues was far less sexy than all my friends’ stories. it began with simple obedience in my bedroom of praying for the gift and then practicing it daily over time. i believe i was baptized in the holy spirit upon conversion 15 years ago and it was only this past january that i began praying in tongues. probably half the time i feel like i’m not actually doing anything, while the other half it feels like sweet communion. your post honestly was a breath of fresh air for me having had this experience. so shoutout to you for being honest and spontaneously writing this gem. also shoutout to andy, his music rules.
Thanks for your kind words. And your comments are an equal breath of fresh air. And yes, shout out to Andy. What a gift.
A great read - also Andy’s music has been healing for me also.
To encourage you I grew up IFB and then as a young adult chose non - denom. I never knew what a charismatic was at that age but started experiencing things I couldn’t explain. So I interviewed people for my own personal sake. Not a podcast, journal, but just questioning people until I found answers that helped me.
A very common experience I learned was that some people experienced supernatural events very ordinarily. Which sounds like an oxymoron.
But I remember one story of someone experiencing being slain in the Spirit as if everyone was faking it because it felt so normal. Yet, after multiple questions and testimonies it came down to a mysterious event that could not be explained. If someone chooses to believe in Jesus and interviews the people I did, the only answer was the Holy Spirit slaying them. Yet they expressed “how could it feel so normal?” Then a pastor said so gently and wisely, “Jesus was too normal for the Pharisees to recognize- the Spirit of Jesus may meet us in ordinary moments similar to that. But we have the opportunity to choose to believe it is supernatural events even when it is revealed as ordinary.”
I am blessed by your testimony and confession. It is refreshing and I hope that my testimony blesses you as well. I grew up IFB, non-denom, and now I’m a Pentecostal. Sure a lot of folks have faked and lied about experiences but there is something about living without a breakthrough and still pursuing Jesus anyway. Which I think you make that point beautifully. Breakthrough is coming either in this life or in the resurrection. I wonder if resurrection will feel ordinary or supernatural? (That might be the title to my next article.)
I love this 🤩 it reminds me of other conversations I’ve had about the hard line we (mistakenly) draw between the supernatural and the natural.
If God is in all and through all and in him we move and have our being, the distinction increasingly looks contrived.
As a used to be Baptist, I was encouraged to think that all pentacostals were "faking it" when speaking in tongues. It was something we rolled outlr eye about when it was brought up. A proof of group think. Good we were immune, right?
As someone who has moved past the tribalism, I've come to appreciate the practice. I don't don't speak in tongues, and doubt I ever will. I'm not Baptist anymore, but would still describe myself as born again.
Is there an element of "faking it"? Maybe... But I think the importancenof the practice is being open to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Maybe the practice tongues is just for our own benefit. For proving to ourselves that we are, in fact, open. Reaching that open state of mind, that intentional invitation is so important to relationship with God, all of God.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thanks Erin 😊😊😊 I’m also really open to the possibility of the Holy Spirit inhabiting things we’re faking 🤓
Me too!
I think that tongues in the way that you're describing your experience is an example of liturgy. It's a practice meant to be done for the sake of doing it, allowing for us to just go through the motions. The point is to hold space, to build the discipline, to look back and "Yes, I did that. And I did it because I care, not then but overall. Over ALL the times I did it" And that's holy.
Just like singing the doxology, or reciting the Lord's Prayer, or communion. The point isn't that we're wrapped up in feeling (although it's beautiful when it happens). The point is just that we do it.
Yeah, I actually think sacramental theology bolstered my theology of tongues. There’s a lot to say there, but generally links up with what you’ve said!
The mystery of faith....this is beautiful and resonates with me.
Thanks 😊 it is indeed a mystery, and naming it that is something I think Pentecostalism taught me
I don't know that I don't know that I don't know 😆