Is Speaking in Tongues a Gift of the Spirit for the Church of all Times?

Abstract

This theological essay, originally published in Theol. Handreichung und Information (1990), examines whether speaking in tongues is a permanent gift of the Holy Spirit for the Christian church. Borszik and Wachler distinguish between the intelligible languages spoken at Pentecost and the unintelligible utterances in Corinth, arguing that tongues were a temporary sign for the early church. Drawing on Scripture, especially Acts and 1 Corinthians, they assert that tongues served specific purposes: confirming the gospel’s universality, aiding Jewish Christians in accepting Gentile believers, and functioning as a sign of judgment. The essay emphasizes that tongues were never commanded or promised for all times, and that love and prophecy are superior gifts. Historical testimony from Augustine and Luther supports the view that tongues ceased after the apostolic age. The authors caution against modern charismatic practices, urging reliance on the enduring Word of God rather than miraculous signs. Abstract generated with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).