Katy Perry and Speaking in Tongues

March 16, 2011

In a Rolling Stone interview from August 2010, pop singer Katy Perry talked about her pentecostal Christian upbringing, and said something that many Christians will find controversial. She claimed that "Speaking in tongues is as normal to me as 'Pass the Salt'." I think this statement gives the discerning Christian a platform from which to discuss the phenomenon of glossolalia, and clarify what speaking in tongues is, what it isn't, what it can do, and what it can't.

First, I have to say that Katy is right. For Christians who practice speaking in tongues, it is a normal part of life. Most of the time, there is nothing special about it at. Speaking in tongues is as much about the believer's will as it is about the Holy Spirit's activity (1 Corinthians 14). The longer you spend around pentecostal/charismatic Christianity, the more "normal' the phenomenon is to you.

I committed my life to Christ over 23 years ago in a charismatic church in Moscow, Idaho. At that time, I accepted the gift of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.Why did I word this event in this way? What does this mean?

Let's break it down. The "Gift of the Holy Spirit" was promised by Jesus to all believers who would accept it (Acts 1:4, Acts 2:38). The gift of the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit Himself, indwelling, infilling, and empowering each Christian to fulfill the Great Commission: Preach the Gospel, and make disciples. In fact, Jesus told the disciples not to start ministry until they received the Holy Spirit in this way.

"Accepted" means I, and you, have a choice about receiving the Holy Spirit. He does not force Himself upon us. It also indicates that the gift in question has already been given; it is up to us to accept it (Him) into our lives in this way. If someone tells you he is waiting for God to give him the Holy Spirit, he lacks understanding of this issue. The gift has been given. All that remains for us is to accept it.

"With the evidence of speaking in tongues" indicates that speaking in tongues is not the gift of the Holy Spirit; it is outward evidence of an internal event. Speaking in tongues is one of several evidences listed in the Bible. These include praising God (Acts 10:46), boldness in speech (Acts 4:31), and prophesying (Acts 19:6). Some pentecostal and charismatic Christians get confused on this matter, and use the fact that they speak in tongues to suggest that they have God's special blessing and/or approval. This is not true: God loves us all.

Also, speaking in tongues in not an indicator of any special calling, blessing or endorsement of ministry. 1 Corinthians 12-14 puts this into great perspective; it amazes me that so many Christians miss the point. There seem to be two general errors on this issue: That speaking in tongues is the be-all and end-all of Christian live, expression, and ministry; or that speaking in tongues should be forbidden. Both of these are errors in opposite extremes.

So, what can speaking in tongues do for you?

It can give you the ability to pray when you don't know how to pray (Romans 8:26). I interpret this to mean that it also gives us the ability to pray about things we don't know about, which makes it very useful in intercessory pray (prayer for others).

It gives you a means of edifying yourself (1 Corinthians 14:4). Who couldn't benefit from that?

What can't speaking in tongues do for you?

It can't set you apart for ministry. It is clear (to me at least) that speaking in tongues is a gift for every believer, not just "special" people.

It can't make you a mature Christian. The Corinthians had all kinds of spiritual gifts in evidence, and still were flaky and immature.

It can't overcome your will. If it could, Katy Perry would not be an immodest, reprobate trollop.

Let me say that I hope that Katy sees the error of her ways and repents. I want to see her restored to the Body of Christ and live a chaste and happy live. To see that happen, sometimes we have to be honest about others are doing, and rebuke them as part of the restoration process. An example of this can be found in 1 Cor. 5 and 2 Cor. 2. A man was having an affair with his stepmother. In the 1 Cor. passage, Paul said to throw the bum out of the church. In the latter passage, he encouraged forgiveness and restoration after evidence of repentance. Rebuke is not to be hateful, although it may sometimes seem harsh.