Thursday, November 02, 2006
GLOSSOLALIA AND BRAIN WAVES
Pennsylvania researchers are documenting brain functioning when Pentecostals engage in glossolalia, or so-called speaking in tongues.
U. Penn School of Medicine researchers said Tuesday they have discovered decreased activity inthe frontal lobes, an area of the brain associated with being in control of one's self.
Of course Pentecostals and our charismatics will readily admit that they are not in control during glossolalia. They believe the Holy Spirit is in control. The article picks up this theme, quoting Principal Investigator Andrew Newberg, M.D., associate professor of Radiology, Psychiatry, and Religious Studies, and director for the Center for Spirituality and the Mind:
Our brain imaging research shows us that these subjects are not in control of the usual language centers during this activity, which is consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control while speaking in tongues.
Ok, the Pentecostals and the scientists agree. What science can't tell us is who or what is in control. For that we must turn to religion. What spirit is it?
New Oxford Review has linked the article which can be read in its entirety here.
