The Rational of the Holy Ghost and Speaking in Tongues

An interesting conversation came up in the office today. However inappropriate the topic may have been for the work place, it was still thought provoking. Unfortunately, because I was in the office I made the decision not to discuss this topic any further with my own thoughts. On the other hand, writing about it and discussing it on here is an entirely different story.

The Holy Ghost was brought up from the Roman Catholic I spoke to. His indecisive thought process would rather bother such a rational thinker, in fact, it dreadfully did. He alluded to idea that he believes in the Holy Ghost, however, unlike other Roman Catholic’s, he does not believe the Holy Ghost can make you speak in Tongues. Speaking to a Pentecostal, or someone rather knowledgeable in that faith, this brought up further discussion. It was said that when someone speaks in Tongues, it is words of God in His language. Therefore, there is a need for a translator of someone who knows that language. His reason for not fully believing in a speaker of Tongues was because it is too “Sci-Fi” for him to wrap his head around. Is that kind of thinking rational? Is it acceptable to arrive at a conclusion with that sort of reasoning?

Let us try this as a thought process:

Every day I listen to an AM radio station at lunch. The show is called Born to Win with Ronald Dart on 1280 AM. Oddly enough, only a couple weeks ago he discussed the rational of speaking in Tongues. What was brought up is the idea of this being the Word of God. We discussed in the past how it is possible for all people to have knowledge and an understanding of God. We argued the idea that God would not expect something of us if it were not possible. Likewise, He expects us to have an understanding of Him, precisely because it is possible to have it.

If speaking in Tongues is only understood, if it even truly is understood, by the person speaking it and the translator, how is that a language that is knowable to all people? People who believe in the truth of Tongues also believe that it is a gift only given to select people. All the hundreds of languages around the world today are capable of being taught, as well as being learned and understood. All those except Tongues. How then, can God expect you to understand this language, if it is not possible to be taught, learned and understood?

Having knowledge about God and the good is not impossible; it is not meant to be impossible. It is meant to be taught and learned by all people, not just a select few chosen by God or the Holy Ghost. Can we say that speaking in Tongues is real? Only to the irrational, gullible believer. We must remember that all beliefs and conclusions must be rationally interpreted; it is then, and only then that we can know the Truth.