Speaking in Tongues

The phenomenon of "Speaking in Tongues"is examined in its religio-historical context. Part 1 considers recent scholarly studies of "inspired speech" in the ancient world where parallels have been alleged with the early Christian experience as recorded in the New testament. In Part 2 both the Lucan and Pauline references to "tongues" are considered in detail with a view to discerning the significance of the phenomenon for the church its its mission and worship. In the light of this, practical implications are drawn for the church in the 21st century.