Speaking in tongues in the Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church : a case study

Abstract

A question was posed by an Adventist woman, "Is contemporary speaking in tongues in harmony with the teaching of the Bible? " To answer this question a study has been made and the results written in this paper. In the first two chapters of the case study the background and methodology of the study is covered. The woman in the case is a traditional Korean lady who is exposed to different cultural and religious backgrounds. Chapter 3 and 4 depict the sociocultural and psychological dynamics of speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is perceived as a religious experience in Korea, but this phenomenon has its roots in Hanism and Shamanism. As Christianity spread throughout the Korean society, the common thread which bound Christianity to Hanism and Shamanism was the medium of speaking in tongues. It is similar to forms of ecstasy and phenomenal occurrences associated with Shamanism. The main part, chapters 5, 6, and 7, explore the biblical and theological interpretation of speaking in tongues. Chapter 5 examines the pentecostal position of speaking in tongues. Pentecostals believe that speaking in tongues is a sure manifestation of the baptism of the Holy spirit which every believer is expected to seek and receive. The biblical position concerning speaking in tongues is studied in chapter 6. This chapter deals mainly with the phenomena of speaking in tongues from the biblical view point "It was found that speaking in tongues is one of the gifts of the Holy spirit. Chapter 7 explores the position of Seventh-day Adventists speaking in tongues. They regard the gift of tongues as a gift of the Holy spirit, but they do not make tongues-speaking a supreme test or priority over God's other gifts. In pastoral action, some integral strategic plans are made to provide opportunities for tongues-speakers to exercise their ardor for evangelism.