Edify the church

[Xeno.of.athens]

Saint Paul writes at length in First Corinthians chapter fourteen on the matter of choosing to edify the church above displaying one's gifts if one's gifts do not edify the church. He says, at the start of his discussion "The man who talks in a strange tongue is talking to God, not to men; nobody understands him, he is holding mysterious converse with his own spirit; whereas the prophet speaks to edify, to encourage, to comfort his fellow men. ... I would gladly see you all speaking with strange tongues, but I would rather you should prophesy, because the prophet ranks higher than the man who speaks with strange tongues." And saint Paul finishes his discussion saying, "Set your hearts, then, brethren, on prophesying; and as for speaking with strange tongues, do not interfere with it."

Since his endeavour is to encourage edification in the church and the gifts that edify are accounted as greater than those that do not why do we see so many Christians seeking to obtain gifts that do not edify?

 

[bling]

For the praises of men?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

For the praises of men?

Possibly, more likely we see it because those seeking such gifts were told that speaking in tongues was "the sign" of baptism "in the Spirit", it is a part of the rites of initiation into a "spiritual life" in some religious circles.

 

[Fervent]

Speaking in tongues is sought because its a marker of being "set apart," or being special in some way. Prophesying comes at a cost to the prophet, because often it means delivering messages that make people dislike the prophet. On the other hand, speaking in tongues is an ecstatic experience so it titilates as well as making someone feel like they're special without a distinct cost.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Speaking in tongues is sought because its a marker of being "set apart," or being special in some way. Prophesying comes at a cost to the prophet, because often it means delivering messages that make people dislike the prophet. On the other hand, speaking in tongues is an ecstatic experience so it titilates as well as making someone feel like they're special without a distinct cost.

Seems like a self-aggrandising approach to religion; not something that can be commended as good.

 

[Fervent]

Seems like a self-aggrandising approach to religion; not something that can be commended as good.

I agree, and its a vein that's been in the church since the earliest days first finding expression among the montanists.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Not to mention personal pride and self-fulfillment.