Rainbow Mage
Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
Glossolalia or speaking in tongues is the fluid vocalizing (or, less commonly, the writing) of speech-like syllables, often as part of religious practice. Though some consider these utterances to be meaningless, those that use them consider them to be part of a holy language.
Many Christians called Pentecostals claim that speaking in tongues is very real and a part of the church today. Many others claim that this gift was only for the earliest church and has ceased.
People who make an argument for tongues usually use the following from the church fathers:
This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus make the Lords Church everywhere, and in all, perfected and completed.- Novatian of Rome
For God hath set same in the Church, first apostles secondly prophets thirdly teachers next mighty works, among which are the healing of diseases and gifts of either speaking or interpreting divers kinds of tongues. Clearly these are the Churchs agents of ministry and work of whom the body of Christ consists; and God has ordained them.- Hilary of Poitiers
In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God.- Iranaeus
So what think you? Are tongues part of Christianity? Do they have any place in modern Christianity, or did they cease after the early centuries?