The Charismatic Movement: An Assessment with Special Reference to Tongues

Introduction

The so-called “Charismatic movement,” is arguably the most controversial issue within contemporary evangelicalism. Do all of the spiritual gifts mentioned in Scripture apply to believers today? Were certain gifts only meant as a means of establishing Jesus’ churches, but passed away after the first century? The central issue with regards to the Charismatic movement is the issue of tongues. Perhaps no gift is more disputed than that of tongues. Evangelicals fall into roughly three categories regarding this issue. Those who advocate that tongues are still in effect today, are called Continuationists. Those who reject tongues as having ended, are known as Cessationists. There is a third, lesser known, party that shall be called the Limited Cessationists. This view advocates that the Holy Spirit is perfectly able to give the gift of tongues to whoever He wishes, and whenever He wishes. However, tongues, as a general gift, is no more. It is this view that this essay will ultimately defend.

Continuationism

Continuationists enjoy a strong biblical foundation for their view. No one disputes that. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 all contain lists of various spiritual gifts. No one in the debate denies that the gifts (including tongues) were given at one time. Continuationists reasonably ask where Scripture states that any of these gifts would ever end? Ephesians 4:11-13 is especially difficult for Cessationists to interpret. These verses explicitly state that numerous gifts would endure until Christ returns. Among these gifts are the gift of prophecy - a gift Cessationists say has ceased. Surely it is simply arbitrary of Cessationists to pick and choose which gifts they think still apply, and which ones do not. 1 Corinthians 14:39 says, in no uncertain terms, that speaking in tongues should not be forbidden. Continuationists say that this is exactly what Cessationists are doing.

Cessationism

Cessationism points out that the Bible primarily views tongues as helping build the foundation of Christ’s churches. Passages such as Ephesians 2:13, 18:22, and Hebrews 2:2-4 can be taken to indicate that tongues were primarily meant for first century believers. Furthermore, what is called “speaking in tongues” in most Pentecostal churches is hardly the Biblical understanding of the term. Tongues were meant to be a sign to unbelievers that the gospel message was truly from God. Paul very clearly said that tongues are sign to unbelievers and not to believers (1 Cor. 14:20-22). There is also the danger of someone claiming to give new revelation from God if he claims to speak in tongues. These considerations should make believers wary of the modern Charismatic movement.

When Will Tongues Cease?

When pressed for Biblical evidence that tongues are no more, Cessationists typically point to 1 Corinthians 13:8-18. This passage says that tongues shall cease “when that which is perfect is come.” The debate, therefore, is about what this phrase means. Cessationists take this phrase to be referring to the Scripture. Since the Scripture is inerrant, it is correct to think of it as perfect. Furthermore, there is no need for further revelation (through tongues) after the completion of the Bible at the end of the first century. Unfortunately for the Cessationists, it is far from obvious that the Scripture is what was intended by this phrase. In fact, the majority of scholars think this refers to the coming of Jesus Christ. The reason is that in the same epistle, Paul says that believers should have every gift until Christ returns (1 Cor. 1:17). Furthermore, this verse also says that knowledge “shall vanish away.” Clearly, this did not happen at the end of the first century. Why then, should one think tongues ended?

The Biblical foundation for Cessationism is indeed weak. However, Cessationism enjoys powerful historical evidence. After the first century there are virtually no records of anyone ever speaking in tongues until the modern Pentecostal movement. The few records that do exist seem to not be speaking of genuine tongues. The second, third, and fourth century accounts of speaking in tongues were practiced by groups that were considered heretical. These instances of tongues involve giving new revelation, which would compromise the idea that the Bible is God’s final revelation. This would be heresy, and therefore, such claims may be appropriately disregarded. Thus, historically speaking, tongues did cease for almost two thousand years.

Limited Cessationism

Many Christians feel that they must endorse either Continuationism or Cessationism. This presents a false dichotomy. There is a third view which does not force an artificial interpretation upon the Biblical text. This view can also avoid the dangers of Continuationism while not claiming more than it can prove as Cessationism does. It is called Limited Cessationism. This view states that while tongues are generally unnecessary today, there is no reason to suppose that God cannot still use tongues. There are three essential tenets to Limited Cessationism. The first, is that tongues is intended as a sign to unbelievers (1 Cor. 14:20-22). The second, is that tongues is no longer in use, for the most part. This validated by church history. The third, is that God never promised to not give the gift, or at least the temporary ability, again (since 1 Cor. 13:10 most likely refers to the second coming of Christ). Therefore, Christians should not rule out the possibility that God may use tongues in certain rare circumstances as a sign to unbelievers. There seem to be numerous benefits to Limited Cessationism. This view can keep a safe guard up against “new revelations.” It can also explain the absence of tongues in the majority of church history. However, this view does not demand that every claimed instance of speaking in tongues is fraudulent, emotional, or demonic. It allows believers to humbly follow the evidence where it leads. Proposed instances of speaking in tongues must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the Holy Spirit has used tongues since the first century to further the Gospel, then Christians should praise God. If He has deemed it to be unnecessary after that time, then Christians should still praise God.

Conclusion

The modern Charismatic movement does not seem to be harnessing the gift of tongues as Scripture presents it. Thus, it is safe to say that it is not the work of the Holy Spirit. Of course, that does not mean that God cannot allow His people to speak in tongues. Believers should focus more on spreading the gospel faithfully, and allow God to work as He wills. We are reminded that “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Is 55:9).

Bibliography

Boyd, Gregory A. and Paul R. Eddy. Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002)

Cloud, David W. The Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement: The History and Error. (Port Huron, MI: Way of Life Literature, 2006)

Menzies, Robert P. Pentecost: The Story is Our Story. (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2013)

Pinnock, Clark H. Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1996)

Rhodes, Ron. Reasoning From the Scriptures with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1993)

Unger, Merrill F. New Testament Teaching on Tongues. ( Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1971)

Walston, Rick. The Speaking in Tongues Controversy. (Fairfax, VA: Xulon Press, 2003)

Walvoord, John. The Holy Spirit. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1965)

Williams, Peter S. The Case For Angels. (Waynesboro, GA, Paternoster Press, 2002)