Charismatic Glossolalia: An Empirical-Theological Study

by Cartledge,Mark J.

• ISBN13: 9780754615965
• ISBN10: 0754615960
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-03-28
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

What is the nature and function of the Pentecostal/Charismatic gift of speaking in tongues? Charismatic Glossolalia aims to answer this question. Drawing on detailed observations and interviews with people who themselves speak in tongues, as well as survey data, Cartledge presents explanations on the meaning of this gift for both the participants and their churches. Cartledge argues that an understanding of the gift of speaking in tongues emerges as a symbol of divine-human encounter, especially associated with the context of prayer and worship and symbolising a sense of beauty, awe, power, intimacy and faith-building. In theological terms, speaking in tongues may be described as trinitarian, sacramental and as demonstrating an important feature of the Kingdom of God. An extensive literature review considers material from the New Testament, Pentecostal and Charismatic theology, and the behavioural and social sciences. This book offers a unique contribution to Pentecostal and Charismatic scholarship, as well as the emerging scholarly tradition of Practical Theology.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	vii
List of Tables	ix
Abbreviations	xi
Foreword	xiii
Leslie J. Francis
Acknowledgements	xv
Introduction	1	(6)
An Empirical Approach to Practical Theology	7	(22)
Introduction	7	(1)
The Empirical Theology of Johannes A. van der Ven	7	(10)
Evangelical-Charismatic Hermeneutic	17	(5)
Epistemology	22	(7)
The Voices and Context of the People	29	(32)
Introduction	29	(1)
Methods	29	(3)
Church Context: Sudley Christian Fellowship	32	(5)
Interviewees	37	(2)
Data Analysis	39	(1)
Results	40	(12)
Categorization of Data	52	(1)
Discussion	53	(4)
Concluding Remarks	57	(4)
A Survey of the Literature	61	(70)
Introduction	61	(1)
New Testament Studies	61	(9)
Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology	70	(15)
Behavioural Science Studies	85	(46)
A Survey of Charismatic Glossolalia	131	(56)
Introduction	131	(1)
Quantitative Research: A Definition of Some Terms and Concepts	131	(3)
Theological Perception and Reflection Summary	134	(3)
Hypotheses	137	(4)
Operationalization	141	(1)
The Survey	142	(1)
Description of the Research Population	143	(2)
Scale Construction	145	(2)
Results	147	(25)
Theological Interpretation: Reflection on the Glossolalia Symbols	172	(15)
A Theology for the People	187	(28)
Introduction	187	(1)
The Empirical-Theological Process of Glossolalia	187	(3)
The Symbolic Configuration of Glossolalia	190	(3)
A Trinitarian Sacrament of the Kingdom of God	193	(7)
Charismatic Glossolalia and Theologia Crucis	200	(3)
Practical Theological Consequences	203	(2)
Concluding Remarks	205	(10)
Conclusion	215	(4)
Summary	215	(1)
Methodological Reflection	216	(1)
Future research	217	(2)
Bibliography	219	(22)
Author Index	241	(6)
Content Index	247	(4)
Scripture Index	251