The Catholic charismatic community
deserves our appreciation for introducing many people into the life of prayer. But in the
spirit of gentle inquiry we present the following questions with the hope it will lead to
a dialogue that will enrich all of us. The Catholic charismatic movement sometimes leaves the impression that what is not due to our conscious thoughts and intentions ought to be attributed to the direct action of the Holy Spirit or to the devil. We can represent this attitude as follows:
Thus they see Gods direct action in speaking in tongues or in prophesies or in healings, or being slain the spirit, and the devil's action in various temptations and obsessions. They appear to be saying," I know that I am not the cause of this speaking in tongues, for I did not invent these words or phrases, and I feel them coming from outside of me, and so therefore, it is the Holy Spirit speaking through me." Or," I know this temptation has fallen upon me without me desiring it or encouraging it, and with a strength that seems to go beyond what human nature is capable of producing and come from some other dimension." From the point of view of ego consciousness they are right in saying that these things come from another dimension. But there is another way to look at these matters, and we can redraw our diagram as follows:
What this means is that there is a dimension beyond the ego which is neither the direct realm of God nor of the devil, but a natural and normal but unconscious dimension of the human soul. This unconscious has its own contents and affects, as we see every night when we dream. Our question becomes, then, does the Catholic charismatic movement really take into account the psychological unconscious. Let's take an example. Do we have to attribute speaking in tongues to the direct action of the Holy Spirit, even though we experience it as coming from beyond ourselves? Certainly it comes from beyond ourselves in the sense that we are not consciously inventing these words. But it is entirely possible that even a genuine grace coming from God and directed to our conversion could pass through the psychological unconscious and clothe itself in various unknown words and affects, in short, as some unknown tongue, which then bursts forth into consciousness and makes the grace that God is giving us visible in a particular tangible form. In this case, the tongue is both a divine and human reality. It is divine inasmuch as it embodies a genuine inspiration and grace, and it is human inasmuch as the words, themselves, are born in the unconscious in order to give this grace a tangible form. If this is true, then there is no need to claim the words, themselves, are directly fashioned by the Holy Spirit, or that psychological factors never play a role in inducing someone to speak in tongues. This human-divine view of speaking in tongues would also make it easier to understand why these tongues are in no known language, and that tongue-speaking is also known outside of religious contexts. Further, it would help us understand how someone could begin speaking in tongues, and then as their life of prayer develops, no longer have any inclination to speak in tongues. Conclusion: There appears to be a real danger that Catholic charismatics can identify their impulses, feelings, insights and images that come from beyond the confines of consciousness with the direct action of God or the devil. Then they would treat what is at least partially human as if it were divine or diabolical. A more psychologically aware attitude is needed. Is this true? Now it is your turn to contribute to this discussion. Send us your questions and comments: arraj@innerexplorations.com "Actually, I didn't consider your open letter to the
Charismatics to be that far off the mark. I'm not a psychologist or a philosopher, so I'll skip on the
Jungian stuff, other than to state that you can err in both extremes; contributing to God
what is man's and to man what is God's. (Substitute Satan for God to express the conflict
in reverse...) P.S. I've just added an article on "Discernment of Spirits" that I printed in our April newsletter to the Catholic Charismatic web site at: http://www.garg.com/ccc/articles/iccrs/mascarenhas.001.html To me, it says a lot of the same things your articles does, but from a different perspective and with a different vocabulary. Bob Van Cleef
"I couldn't have put this better. I have always had an aversion to the Charismatic movement without being able to put my reservations into rational thoughts. You put it so clearly. One thing I would add is that charismatics are so prone to say that "God told me this" or "that" without qualifying it. For example, I would say, "I sense that God is telling me so and so," but I would leave room for other interpretations as well. I know many sincere, fine people who are charismatics, but it would not be a movement with which I could comfortably associate." Ida Bickley
"You raise a question that I have never looked at seriously, since that is not my focus. I am aware that some of the experiences of some people involved in the Charismatic Renewal may be more psychological than a grace from God. But when I examine my own experiences, I do not find them to be in that mode. I believe that they are truly spiritual experiences, gifts from God. And the basis for this would be the fruit flowing from this grace event from God. I am well aware that not everything that is said to be of God is of God. And maybe that's where the psycological unconscious comes in. This is where correct discernment is needed. But at the same time to imply that the source of the experience is psychological would deny the Word of God, the promises of Jesus, the gifts of the Spirit, and the graces given. The signs and wonders experienced in Jesus' life, the life of the early Christians, Christians throughout the centuries even to this present time are real, not because their source is the psychological unconscious but the source is the Holy Spirit." Bishop Sam Jacobs
"I really liked your definition of Christian mysticism
and felt you did such a nice job and summary of it. However, when it came to the comments
on the Charismatic movement, especially speaking in tongues, I felt you had little
experience in that area. Your article says, "This human-divine view of speaking in
tongues would also make it easier to understand why these tongues are in no known
language." I'm no expert on the subject and in a sense have only been on the fringes
of the movement but my understanding is that speaking or praying in tongues can be a
definite language. I've heard of instances such as this: A man walks into a charismatic
service, hears someone speaking in ancient Greek which he studied and he hears the words
and is amazed that someone who has never learned the language could be pronouncing the
words so perfectly. He is also amazed because the words seem to be directed to him and
touch his heart by their message. Also in scripture on Pentecost, the apostles were
speaking in tongues or rather preaching in tongues it seems, and foreigners were amazed to
hear the gospel being proclaimed in their own language. This seems to be beyond something
which our unconscious can manufacture which you seemed to suggest in your letter by your
statement, "Do we have to attribute speaking in tongues to the direct action of the
Holy Spirit, even though we experience it as coming from beyond ourselves?" It says
in scripture that the apostles attributed speaking in tongues to the reception of the Holy
Spirit and I see no reason why this can't be true. I don't think it is correct to say that
the gift of tongues which is present in the New Testament and in present Charismatic
movement today is just a product of our unconscious minds, but I believe when it is
legitimately present that it is a gift of the Holy Spirit and should be valued as such.
Response While there are stories of people speaking in languages they have not learned, it would be hard, I think, to find concrete cases where there is convincing evidence that this has really happened. Further, the unconscious can play a powerful role in uncanny events like telepathic dreams or strange feats of the intellect like human mathematical calculators, and so it cannot be immediately ruled out, even if such a case were found. There is the example of the original Pentecost, itself, but I would hesitate to identify this Pentecostal speaking in tongues that people understood in their own languages with the phenomenon of speaking in tongues that we see in the modern Charismatic movement. I am not saying that the modern speaking in tongues is just a psychological phenomenon, but rather, it can have both a genuine spiritual dimension and a human unconscious dimension. Thus, it can be a grace of God even if there is a natural dimension of the psyche that creates the tongue that is spoken. Your point about John of the Cross is a good one, but it raises some further questions: 1. Would John of the Cross consider the modern speaking in tongues as a situation similar to that of visions and revelations, and therefore give the same advice to it as he does to them? 2. Would he consider it a form of what he called meditation, that is, any prayer that we could do ourselves, and thus see it as limited and coming through the human faculties and expect it to be transcended by some other form of prayer? 3. How does speaking in tongues and the rest of the Charismatic phenomena relate to what John of the Cross called infused contemplation? The Editors
John Hardon, SJ, in an article that is posted on the web called "Pentacostalism: Evaluating a Phenomenon" makes some remarks that we think are relevant to the discussion here: "The fundamental problem it (Pentacostalism) creates is the absolute conviction of devoted Pentecostals that they have actually received a charismatic visitation of the Holy Spirit. I am not referring to such external phenomena as the gift of tongues, but of the deeply inward certitude that a person has been the object of a preternatural infusion, with stress on the infusion of preternatural insight, i.e., in the cognitive order. This is an astounding assertion, and the only thing unremarkable about it that so many Pentecostals are now firmly convinced they have been so enlightened... The dilemma this raises can be easily stated: Either the Pentecostal experience really confers preternatural insight (at least among its leaders), or the experience is quite natural, while certainly allowing for the normal operations of divine grace... Are the so-called charismata truly charismatic? If they are, then we stand in the presence of a cosmic miracle, more stupendous in proportion - by reason of sheer numbers - than anything the Church has seen, I would say, even in apostolic times. But if the experiences are not authentically charismatic, then, again, we stand in the presence of a growing multitude of persons who believe themselves charismatically led by the Holy Spirit. They will make drastic decisions, institute revolutionary changes, or act in a host of other ways - firmly convinced they are responding to a special divine impulse whereas in reality they are acting in response to quite ordinary, and certainly less infallible, motions of the human spirit. At this point we could begin a completely separate analysis,
namely, of the accumulating evidence that the impulses which the Pentecostal leaders
consider charismatic are suspiciously very human. " Bob Gravlin responds: In St. Louis we have many fine charismatic groups which have
done a good job of integrating such things as dream work, Jungian Psychology, and a wise
understanding of the unconscious in healing ministries and a healing and deliverance
ministry associated with the St. Louis Archdiocese. The temptation of a simplistic
attribution of our own psychological processes to God or the devil is a real one ,however.
Another Response A Response First of all thank you for this opportunity you give us to share our ideas and convictions. The Charismatic Movement in itself is something good happening to the Church, but like always one finds a lot of eccentrics, and I agree with your statements, for as one knows anthropologists have encountered speaking in tongues in certain African tribal cults and also in some type of Chinese shamanism. I would like to add, and would like also the charismatics who might read this page to understand, that being part of the charismatic movement does not make a Charismatic a special member of the Church, in the sense that one feels one became better (more saintly) than others, and starts recognising as brothers and sisters in Christ only those who are members of this movement. And please, charismatics, take care, for, when one starts believing one is having direct contact with the Spirit, or with the Triune God directly, one might fall into the temptation of disregarding the Church, and authority in the Church, a serving authority, given by Christ, so that all the people of God, without distinction, will have somebody responsible and wise (in the spiritual sense) enough to lead them. PLEASE, DEAR CHARISMATIC BROTHERS AND SISTERS STAY WITHIN THE FOLD. Rev. Fr. Louis Bezzina, (Malta) gozo50@yahoo.comAnother Response Thanks so much for your thoughtful letter. Several years ago I had the "Baptism in the Spirit" experience but abandoned it when I felt it hadn't really "taken", that is, the outward manifestations of the Gifts had stopped and I finally had to admit I'd been forcing them. I used to joke with friends that I was born again but it was apparently a C section since I seemed to come out all turned around. But it was not a funny experience. I felt I had been led down yet another false path. After some years I found that I hadn't been led down a false path at all , that I had been on the right path and just hadn't traveled far enough. I came to discover that the path led to silent prayer, beyond images, words and emotionalism. I have found silence to be a "neighbor" of Jung's collective unconscious; a spiritually alive place where Christ reveals Himself more fully and sweetly by the use of symbols and dreams to enlighten and purify self awareness. He also seems to use the unconscious to reveal what He is not and many of my illusions of what He Is had to die a painful death there. (and they still do) It has added a wonderful new dimension to my faith, a way to experience Christ's love in all the areas available to a human ..sometimes painful, sometimes scary but always, eventually, sweet and beautiful. FINALLY, I'm able to relax as a Christian, I feel Loved..and isn't that what it's all about? Thanks again for your letter, I have really enjoyed all the replies...PAX, Tom at tom@c-zone.netMore Comments I would like to add several comments to this fine discussion. I was present at a prayer meeting in Seattle in 1972 where a visitor recognized the tongue being spoken as an actual language he understood. Because it was one of our first prayer meetings, we took that unusual event as an indication that we were on the right track in starting this new prayer group. A friend of mine, Richard Pomeroy, had an experience of praising in tongues while waiting for the Fremont Bridge in Seattle (Seattle has several bridges that go up to allow boats to pass through the Ship Canal, which requires cars to simply wait for 5-15 minutes depending on the number of boats). He had his window rolled down and a young boy had gotten out of the car ahead of Richard to go look at the boats. Suddenly he turned around and walked over to Richard and started speaking French to Richard. Richard had no clue what he was saying so the boy began to speak in English and asked Richard how he knew who he was. It turned out the tongues was French and was addressed directly to the boy. Richard talked with him briefly, led him in a prayer of commitment to Jesus. This was a use of tongues I have not heard of since. Your questioning of the relationship between the human and
the divine is a good one. I think there is a lot more about the human psyche that we don't
understand. Because of my firm conviction that God is the author of our human psychology,
spirit and body as well as the author of supernatural inteventions, I think that the
dividing lines are probably pretty fuzzy in terms of being able to make sharp
distinctions. This is not to say that we shouldn't try, especially because every
charismatic I know has at least some experiences of mistaking their own thinking or
impulses for the work of the Spirit. But of course, making some mistakes does not
invalidate all The Editor Dear Colin, I am not trying to say that in principle speaking in tongues
is never in an actual historical language. It is just that in the vast majority of cases I
don't think it is, and it is hard to find well-documented instances where an actual
language is being spoken. A Response I would like to make a couple of points about the inward experience of illumination that has been raised in this discussion. I agree that it is more important than the outward manifestations of tongues etc. but even here there is a 'higher' and a 'lower' illumination. I agree essentially with the Protestant mystic A. W. Tozer that the spirit has (inward) senses by which spiritual realities are perceived, just as physical realities are perceived by the bodily senses. Tozer believed that these spiritual senses have become numb because of our sinful nature, but when a person turns to Jesus, the Holy Spirit opens them that we might 'see' spiritual realities. These spiritual realities are, basically, the truths presented in Scripture which the Spirit enables us to understand in a way beyond the capacity of the unregenerate mind. Recently, I have become aware that there are really two sets of spiritual senses, which I will call the eyes of the mind and the eyes of the heart. The former bring illumination that is basically intellectual (intuitive, but really still 'head knowledge'). The latter, which is the 'higher' illumination, brings intuitive knowledge direct to the centre of our spiritual being. It may bypass intellectual understanding, but brings knowledge directly to the spirit. For instance, we may meditate on our lost condition apart from Jesus and even be illuminated to the fact of this, but we will not benefit while ever this remains merely 'head' knowledge. But it is when we 'see' our lost condition with the eyes of the heart that we are suddenly confronted with ourselves as God sees us and we respond with repentance nd faith. The sudden and often violent conversions of many mystics and revivalists resulted from this kind of illumination. May the charismatic movement bring it back! Blessings, David A. J. Seargent seargent@ozemail.com.au Also, please note the following website: http://www.christian-renewal-whitsun.com/ This is an article about small-group meetings for bringing people closer to God and to other Christians. A few such groups exist (or have existed) in various parts of the world, but my vision is to see this as a wide movement across denominations. The series of meditations for the meetings may also be used as a private spiritual exercises or as the theme for a (one day?) retreat, although the latter has not been tried as yet. David.
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