Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives

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.