What is glossolalia?

Answer

Glossolalia, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “ecstatic utterances,” is the uttering of unintelligible, language-like sounds while in a state of ecstasy. Glossolalia is sometimes confused with xenoglossia, which is the biblical “gift of tongues.” However, whereas glossolalia is babbling in a nonexistent language, xenoglossia is the ability to fluently speak a language the speaker has never learned.

Moreover, while xenoglossia is not an innate or natural ability, studies have shown that glossolalia is a learned behavior. Research conducted by the Lutheran Medical Center demonstrates that glossolalia is easily acquired by following simple instructions. Similarly, it was discovered that individuals could engage in “speaking in tongues” without displaying any signs of trance-like stupor or behaviors. Another experiment involving sixty students revealed that after listening to a one-minute sample of glossolalia, 20 percent were able to replicate it accurately. Following some training, 70 percent succeeded.

Glossolalia can be observed in nearly every part of the world. Various pagan religions worldwide are fascinated with tongues. These include the Shamans in Sudan, the Shango cult of the West Coast of Africa, the Zor cult of Ethiopia, the Voodoo cult in Haiti, and the Aborigines of South America and Australia. Murmuring or speaking gibberish that is interpreted as profound mystical insight by holy men is an ancient tradition.

There are essentially two components to glossolalia. The first involves speaking or murmuring in language-like sounds. Virtually everyone can do this; even children, before learning to speak, can imitate real language, albeit unintelligibly. There is nothing exceptional about this. The other aspect of glossolalia is ecstasy or the manifestation of trance-like elation. There is nothing particularly unusual about this either, although intentionally achieving it is more challenging than simply experiencing it.Merely utter language-like sounds.

There are some Christians, especially within the Pentecostal movement, who believe there is a supernatural explanation for glossolalia similar to that described in the New Testament. They believe that the primary purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues is to demonstrate the Holy Spirit being poured out upon them just as on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), which was prophesied by Joel «And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams: », (Acts 2:17).

Among those Christian churches that do embrace the practice of glossolalia to varying degrees, there is no unanimous agreement on its nature. For instance, some strongly believe it is a genuine gift of the Holy Spirit, while others downplay its significance, citing Paul’s teaching that the gift of “speaking in tongues” is not as crucial as other gifts of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 13). Additionally, some prefer not to discuss it to prevent division within the church, while others view glossolalia as a trickery of Satan himself.

Exotic languages are spoken and understood worldwide, but when spoken as “ecstatic utterances” or “tongues,” existing languages are neither heard nor understood. Instead, what we encounter is a mix of excitement, assertions, chaos, and noise. We cannot affirm, as was the case in the early church, that “each of us hears [understands] them in his own native language” «And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? », (Acts 2:8 NIV).

In essence, the practice of glossolalia does not align with the biblical gift of tongues. Paul

Made it clear that the primary purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues was to serve as a sign for unbelievers and to proclaim the gospel of Christ. “Yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:19,22). “Therefore, tongues are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is for believers, not for unbelievers” (1 Corinthians 14:19,22).