This article puts forward the proposition that the twin phenomena of ecstatic language identified in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 should not be conflated into a single behavior: speaking in tongues. It is argued the two NT accounts describe two distinct practices: xenolalia (Acts 2) and glossolalia (1 Corinthians 14). Furthermore, when their differences are recognized, this distinction is supported by evidence from neuroscience that different cognitive and neural functions are involved in the two phenomena as depicted: neurophysiological research confirms the difference between the Pentecost experience described in Acts, and the spiritual gifts of the Pauline texts.
Aaen-StockdaleC.2012. “Neuroscience for the Soul.”Psychologist25/7: 520–23.
2.
AzariN. P., and BirnbacherD.2004. “The Role of Cognition and Feeling in Religious Experience.”Zygon: Journal Of Religion & Science39/4: 901–17.
3.
BealeG. K.2004. The Temple and the Church's Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God. New Studies in Biblical Theology. Downers Grove, IL: IVP/ Leicester, UK: Apollos.
4.
BrownW. S. & StrawnB. D.2012. The Physical Nature of Christian Life: Neuroscience, Psychology, and the Church.Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
5.
BruceF. F.1970. The Acts of the Apostles.London, UK: Tyndale.
6.
BrydenC.2018. “A Continued Sense of Self in the Lived Experience of Dementia.”Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging30/3, 279–90, DOI: 10.1080/15528030.2018.1462290
7.
BurkertW.2000. Greek Religion. Translated by RaffanJohn. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
8.
CartledgeM. J.2012. “The Practice of Tongues-Speech as a Case-Study—A Practical-Theological Perspective.” Pp. 206–34 in Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives, edited by CartledgeMark J. Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues. Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster.
9.
CraffertP. F.2008. The Life of a Galilean Shaman: Jesus of Nazareth in Historical-Anthropological Perspective.Cambridge, UK: James Clarke & Co.
10.
CunninghamP. E.2011. “Are Religious Experiences Really Localized Within the Brain? The Promise, Challenges, and Prospects of Neurotheology.”Journal Of Mind & Behavior32/3: 223–49.
11.
GoodmanF. D.1972a. Speaking in Tongues: A Cross-Cultural Study of Glossolalia.Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
12.
GoodmanF. D.1972b. “‘Altered Mental State’ vs. ‘Style of Discourse': Reply to Samarin.”Journal for the Scientific Study Of Religion11/3297–99.
13.
GoodmanF. D.1969. “Phonetic Analysis of Glossolalia in Four Cultural Settings.”Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion8/2: 227–39.
14.
HilbornD.2006. “Glossolalia as Communication.” Pp. 111–46 in Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives, edited by CartledgeMark J. Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues. Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster.
15.
HolmR., WolfM., & SmithJ. K. A.2011. “New Frontiers in Tongues Research: A Symposium.”Journal Of Pentecostal Theology20/1: 122–54.
16.
HovendenG.2006. Speaking in Tongues: The New Testament in Context. Journal of Pentecostal Theology Supplement Series, vol. 22. London, UK: Sheffield Academic Press, 2002.
JohnsonK. D.2010. “A Neuropastoral Care and Counseling Assessment of Glossolalia: A Theosocial Cognitive Study.”Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy16/3–4: 161–71.
19.
JohnsonL.2013. “Women and Glossolalia in Pauline Communities: The Relationship between Pneumatic Gifts and Authority.”Biblical Interpretation21/2: 196–214.
20.
JonesD. G.2010. “Peering into People's Brains: Neuroscience's Intrusion into Our Inner Sanctum.”Perspectives on Science & Christian Faith62/2: 122–32.
21.
KayWilliam M.“The Mind, Behaviour and Glossolalia: A Psychological Perspective.” Pp. 174–205 in Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives, edited by CartledgeMark J. Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues. Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster.
22.
KingF. J.2012. “‘Pointing the Bone': Sorcery Syndrome and Uncanny Death in Acts 5:1–11.”Irish Biblical Studies30/1: 12–34.
23.
KingF. J.2007. More Than a Passover: Inculturation in the Supper Narratives of the New Testament. New Testament Studies in Contextual Exegesis, vol. 3. Frankfurt, Germany: Peter Lang, 2007.
24.
LevisonJ. R.2011. “Recommendations for the Future of Pneumatology.”Pneuma: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies33/1: 79–93.
25.
LivingstonK. R.2005. “Religious Practice, Brain, and Belief.”Journal Of Cognition & Culture5/1–2: 75–117.
26.
McGilchristI.2009. The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Modern World.New Haven, CTYale University Press.
27.
McNamaraP.2009. The Neuroscience of Religious Experience.Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
28.
MacchiaF.2006. “Babel and the Tongues of Pentecost: Reversal or Fulfilment?—A Theological Perspective.” Pp. 34–52 in Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives, edited by CartledgeMark J. Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues. Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster.
29.
MalinaB. J., & PilchJ. J.2008. Social-Science Commentary on the Book of Acts.Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
30.
MarshallI. H.2007. “Acts.” Pp. 513–606 in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, edited by BealeG.K. & CarsonD. A.Grand Rapids, MI: Baker/Nottingham, UK: Apollos.
31.
MayG.1988. Addiction & Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions.New York, NY: HarperCollins.
32.
NelM.2017. “The Pentecostal Movement's View of the Continuity of Tongues in Acts and 1 Corinthians.”In Die Skriflig51/1: 1–7.
33.
NewbergA.2010. “Methodological Principles for Research in Neurotheology: Practical and Philosophical Implications.”Neuroquantology8/ 4: 531–45.
34.
NewbergA. E, WinteringN. A., MorganD., & WaldmanM. R.2006. “The Measurement of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow during Glossolalia: A Preliminary SPECT Study.”Psychiatric Research: Neuroimaging148: 67–71.
35.
ParsonM. C.2008. Acts. Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
36.
PerkinsP.2012. First Corinthians. Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids MI: Baker.
37.
PolomaM. M.2006. “Glossolalia, Liminality and Empowered Kingdom Building.” Pp. 147–73 in Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives, edited by CartledgeMark J. Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues. Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster.
38.
PretoriusMark. 2016. “Is Consciousness a Product of the Brain or/and a Divine Act of God? Concise Insights from Neuroscience and Christian Theology.”Hervormde Teologiese Studies72/4: 1–7.
39.
ReevesR. R., KoseS. & AbubakrA.2014. “Temporal Lobe Discharges and Glossolalia.”Neurocase (Psychology Press)20/1–2: 236–40.
40.
SacksJ.2016. Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence.London, UK: Hodder.
41.
SchjoedtU.2009. “The Religious Brain: A General Introduction to the Experimental Neuroscience of Religion.”Method & Theory in the Study of Religion21/3: 310–39.
42.
SmithJ. K. A.2006. “Tongues as ‘Resistance Discourse': A Philosophical Perspective.” Pp. 81–110 in Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives, edited by CartledgeMark J. Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues. Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster.
43.
SummersS.1998. “‘Out of My Mind for God': A Social-Scientific Approach to Pauline Pneumatology.”Journal Of Pentecostal Theology6/13: 77.
44.
TaylorM.2014. 1 Corinthians. The New American Commentary, vol. 28. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing.
45.
ThiseltonA. C.2000. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Carlisle, UK: Paternoster.
46.
TurnerM.2006. “Early Christian Experience and Theology of ‘Tongues.'” Pp. 1–33 in Speaking in Tongues: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives, edited by CartledgeMark J. Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues. Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster.
