Can you speak in Tounges?

 

 

As we go forward into the 21st  century there is a lot of talk about this language "tongues." Can Christians speak in tongues? Is it a private or public act? Can people give you the holy spirit and  through that you can speak in tongues? 

 

As I was researching this topic, I found people taking very firm stances on this 3 part divided issue, there is no in between, but its either evil (Pigeon cults), a gift from God that is still present (continuation), or a gift from God that has stopped after the disciples died (cessations).There are many intellectual arguments about this issue, so before you look at the videos make a conscious decision to keep an open mind and then critically think through all the videos before making a firm decision on this issue.

 

The video below is about tongues being a form a pigeon worship, emotionalism and charismatic in the Pentecostal churches. This video is only part 1 out of 22 different extensive audio research clips created by John MacArthur,  who is an American fundamentalist Christian, a pastor, a popular author, and has a radio program called Grace to you. Also, he has been acknowledged by Christianity today as one of the most influential preachers of his time and has authored and edited more than 1 million copies and received a Gold Medallion Book Award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, this you tuber opposes John MacArthur audio clips and claims that John MacArthur contradicts himself throughout these video concerning 1 Corinthians 14:5. .

 

 

 

 

 

Now, lets take a look at the continuation, which is explained by Pastor Mark Driscoll who answers three common questions about speaking in tongues: Can every Christian have the gift of tongues? Are the gift of tongues for today's age? And what happens when the private use of tongues goes public? He also explains that although tongues have been misused, but just because these gifts have been misused we should not reject them; however, we should now use them biblically to give Gods people a faithful alternative.

This clip is excerpted from the sermon "Empowered by the Spirit to Follow Jesus," the third part of our sermon series Acts: Empowered for Jesus' Mission. It was preached by Pastor Mark Driscoll out of Acts 2:1--13 at Mars Hill Downtown Bellevue and released on June 9.Watch the full sermon here: http://jesus.to/12fYZHl

 

Part 1 

 

Part 2

 

 

The next video below is about whether the charismatic gifts of the Spirit are for today's church. Matthew  represents the position of cessationism, and it is his conviction that when he searched the scriptures he found that the charismatic gifts ceased at the end of the apostolic era.

Furthermore, when he looked at church history he could see no clear evidence of the early Church Fathers or great leaders of the Protestant Reformation and the Great Awakening writing about having the gifts themselves; nor did any of their contemporaries witness them manifesting the gifts of the spirit. Why? Because unlike the modern church who often pays lip service to "Sola Scriptura" these men actually believed it and lived it.

One bold statement he gives is that "This is not a primary or even a secondary issue; nor is it an issue of separation. Clear thinking Charismatics and Pentecostals are our brothers and sisters in Christ," Matthew said. "However, those heretics such as Benny Hinn, Todd Bentley, T.D. Jakes, and the Oneness Pentecostal church must be exposed for what they are; wolves in sheep's clothes."

 

 

 

 

 

 

In conclusion, sometimes we get so caught up in these controversial issue that we lose sight of the real new life message, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians when we cannot come to an agreement, we should stand firm together in unity, showing ourselves to be Jesus disciples. I will leave you with something to think about.  Philippians 1:27 reads, only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents-- which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

 

There's one side, there's the other, and then there's the truth!

 

 

 

 

Secular Music

Can Christians listen to secular music? Is secular music bad, good, or a sin? What does secular even mean?  Well first, lets break down that word secular. A general definition for  Secular is  denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis. In other words, listening to music that is not talking about spiritual things.

 

Below I have two videos that will shed some light on this issue. However,  there are not specific verses that condemn or make secular music a sin in the bible, but there are other verses that helps us examine our practical life concerning things like music. Each video points out different verses to show us whether or not secular music is a sin or not.  

 

 

 

 

 

 As you can see Jefferey Bethke, does not think secular music is a sin, but if it does not glorify God, if It has no spiritual basis, then maybe there's a(or a few) specific song(s) you should not be listening too. He does not rule out all secular music all together because there are is some music that is/isn't secular because it can be taken in two ways. For example, its inspirational, encouraging, and has some spiritual basis in it even if does not say the word Jesus or lord within the song.

On the other hand, another you tuber thinks differently. In the video above, this unknown you tuber starts off the issue by discussing the power of music and its influence on individuals. He then begins to give many examples including surveys, quotes, science facts to back up his statements as well as the bible. For example, he quotes MTV. "We are a culture force, they don't just watch it, they live it," MTV said." MTV has affected the way a whole generation thinks, talks and buys." He then discusses where music came from and how, now, there are only two forms of music. Music that worships the Lord and music that does not and in this way there are no gray areas. He also has a second part to this video called "Gods view of Secular Music (Part 2 of 2)."


Here are some examples of some music, which are all in my own opinion and experience(too each its own and conviction) that are considered secular and not secular, but I welcome you to draw your own conclusions on them and make an intelligent stance.

"Try" by Pink, believe it or not has a lot of spiritual notation.

"We Cant Stop" by Miley Cyrus is very secular. 

 

"Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke is very secular

 

 "Royals" by Lorde. This song hits borderline.

 

 

 Also, may I remind you that some music is very "borderline" and in my opinion, that my friend, depends on your heart. In one of my previous blogs "Tattoo's Tattoo's Tattoo's... What's wrong with it?"  discusses motives behind choices/decisions. So in this way, why are you listening to the music... what is it satisfying?  Does it glorify God? Is there anything relatable to Lord in the music? Are you getting "lost" in the music? Do you desire the things that are spoken of in the music? Does the music you listen too show that you are living a life worthy of the gospel? Those are some  questions you should really be asking yourself and evaluate your own heart based on those answers.  In the end, in my opinion, people know what they should do, but never take the steps to do it.

 

There's one side, there's the other, then there's the truth!