Speaking in Tongues: Toward a Critical Theory of Glossolalia

The first time I heard of speaking in tongues was in 1972 in Brother August's sophomore religion class at Notre Dame High School. August had a deep interest in the Charismatic movement which had been sweeping through Roman Catholicism for the past four or five years. In class he played album recordings of Christians baptized in the spirit who spoke in glossolalia. To substantiate the phenomenon Biblically, Brother August often referred to Chapter Two of Acts where the apostles of Jesus became filled with the Holy Spirit and manifested a series of divine gifts. Although I found the topic of glossolalia fascinating, I did not really believe in it. Even at 15 years old I knew how easily the unconscious mind can trick us. Little did I realize that in just a few weeks’ time I would undergo an extraordinary spiritual and speak in tongues.

Presents a radical theory on why individuals Speak in Tongues and how it is related to evolution and neurology.