The Psychology of Speaking in Tongues by John P. Kildahl

Inside the Front Flap

"In the dimly lit fireside room of the First Presbyterian Church, a small circle of members quietly listen to their pastor say, 'The Lord is in your presence...Empty yourself of all other thoughts...let all your anxieties flow out of you...Open your mouth, and He will give you utterance.'" Witnessed by the author, this and many other examples of speaking in tongues form the basis of his examination of the phenomenon of glossolalia.

A spoken but unintelligible form of prayer described in the New Testament, speaking in tongues was confined to a few isolated sects until recently. Now it has found a way into mainline protestant and Roman Catholic churches, bringing spiritual exuberance to an increasing number while offending others.

Spurred by the controversy surrounding tongue-speaking, Dr. Kildahl, a psychotherapist, conducted interviews with tongue-speakers in depth over a period of ten years. Sponsored originally by the American Lutheran Church and later by the National Institute of Mental Health, he travelled coast to coast listening to tongue-speakers describe their practice, recording their utterances and observing their groups.

From Inside the Back Flap

From the most intensive firsthand study of the subject ever undertaken, he has written this account of the psychology of speaking in tongues.

Hearing tongue-speakers report their enhanced feelings of well-being, Dr. Kildahl investigated the relationship of the practice to mental health. Here he describes the crucial role of the tongue-speaking leader in the lives of those who adopt the practice from him, as well as the relationship of speaking in tongues to anxiety and spiritual crisis. He tells what he found about the interpretation of tongues and about the connections between tongue-speaking and hypnosis.

In this book Dr. Kildahl also surveys the historical background of speaking in tongues, beginning with biblical references and continuing to the current generation. Perspective is added through summaries of what other contemporary writers have said about the practice.

For observers of the religious scene, as well as for those familiar with tongue-speaking, Dr. Kildahl has written this sensitive and scientific account of an increasingly frequent religious experience.

Contents

Ch. 1 - A DESCRIPTION OF GLOSSOLALIA -- OR SPEAKING IN TONGUES: What is it?

The Sound of Glossolalia

How the Experience is Initiated

Ch 2 - HOW TONGUE-SPEAKERS DESCRIBE WHAT THEY DO

Eighteen Questions Answered

• How did you receive the gift of tongues?
• What was the first occasion of your speaking in tongues and who was with you at the time?
• What are the factors which must be present in order for you to speak in tongues?
• Is your tongue-speaking expressed in public or private? Is there any difference in what happens when speaking in tongues in solitude, in contrast to a group setting?
• Is there any particular sequence of thought or action which usually precedes speaking in tongues?
• Are there any physical, bodily movements connected with the experience of speaking in tongues?
• Please discuss the part of laying on of hands in tongue-speaking.
• Can you do this "at will"? Is it "accidental" at times?
• Can you shed any light on the question of how and/or why some people are able to speak in tongues and others are not?
• Is your tongue-speaking in another language spoken somewhere in the world or does the speaking consist of words and sounds which are not a part of any known language?
• Please comment on the part which the interpretation of tongues plays in your experience.
• Have there been changes in your personal and family life since you have spoken in tongues?
• What part does tongue-speaking play in your congregation?
• How has the congregation reacted to this gift?
• What can be done to ensure that tongue-speaking be used for the greatest possible mutual edification of all members of the church, both tongue-speakers and non-tongue-speakers?
• Are you aware of any abuses of the gift of tongues? Is it possible to differentiate between the gift of the Spirit and so-called 'false prophecy'?
• What is the relationship between tongues and other charismatic gifts, e.g., prophecy, healing, interpretation, etc.? What other gifts of the Spirit do you have?
• Is there anything you can add which will help us understand the gift of tongues?

Ch. 3 - HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: How much has glossolalia been practiced?

Biblical References

Early Church Fathers

The Middle Ages

Post-Reformation Era

The Twentieth Century

The Current Generation

Ch. 4 - SEVEN THEORIES

This chapter summarizes the views of seven authors on the spiritual and psychological factors related to glossolalia.

Ch. 5 - AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

Ego Psychology

Hypnosis

Five Research Hypotheses

The Research Procedure

Results of the Research

Interpretation and Discussion -- First Hypothesis

Second Hypothesis

Third and Fourth Hypotheses

Fifth Hypothesis

Ch. 6 - ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCES: Are Glossolalists Mentally Healthier Than Others or Less So?

Overall Mental Health

Personality Types

The Dependency Syndrome

Reliance on External Authority

The Pressure of the Leader

Regression

Hypnotizability

Ch. 7 - PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN THE GLOSSOLALIA EXPERIENCE

Anxiety Over a Life Crisis

Regression

The Maturity of the Person

The Magical Quality

The Place of the Irrational

Interpretation of Tongues

Feelings of Worthlessness

Jung's Theory

Ch. 8 - GROUP BEHAVIOUR AND THE GLOSSOLALIA EXPERIENCE

Divisiveness

Projection of Anger

Histrionic Display

Preoccupation with Glossolalia

Ch. 9 - UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Further Hypnotic Studies

Life Crises and the Onset of Glossolalia

Persons Who Cease Speaking in Tongues

The Group Dynamics of the Movement

Non Religious Glossolalia

Children's Use of Glossolalia

Neurological Questions

Ch. 10 - SUMMARIZING: Is it a Spiritual Gift?

A Subjective Sense of Well-Being

The Criticisms of the Non-Glossolalists

Is it a Spiritual Gift?

Just So You Know!

This book contains a 20 page bibliography with both books and articles written on this subject. Any and all information you would need about the practice of glossolalia is available to you. GET IN THE KNOW. Do a little research on your own. The information is out there. This book is available at www.amazon.com.

May God fill you with the Spirit of Truth so that you do not lie, believe lies, nor spread them.

DIVINE APPOINTMENTS

The above product was purchased at a Home Hardware. It was on display at the cash desk where I was making a purchase before leaving the store. I no longer live in Barrie but was in town on business for one day and happened to see this product for sale. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the name of the product because I had just finished my latest blog which was on the Psychology of Speaking in Tongues. I felt that this was a divine appointment and as you can see, I am putting it to good use.