I'm sitting in class, listening to a psychologist try to explain pentecostal faith and speaking in tongues.

He is butchering it with at least four shades of wrong. Historically. Azuza happened in 1900's not 1800's, and much of the movement was actually rooted in the Great Awakening, the revivals in Europe, and even dates back to the mystics. Theologically. Pentecostals do not believe that speaking in tongues is solely a corporate practice; actually there is an emphasis on personal prayer language more often than a word given for the entire congregation. Actually. Many people speak in tongues and consider themselves charismatic and remain with a mainline, high church denomination... which means the phenomenon is not solely found in Pentecostal denominations where people are socialized to believe in this ritual. Psychologically. He said there is nothing about speaking in tongues that is self edifying or edifying to groups outside of the community; the purpose is to create group identity and to prove to be a part of the in-group. While this sadly may be the case sometimes, the emphasis on this gift of the Holy Spirit is a deeper relationship with God and to better equip oneself to minister to others.

I'm biting my lip... trying to overcome the urge to open my mouth. I don't want to preach to the class - actually that would be pretty sweet- but I do want to make sure things presented as facts are actually accurate before they are ripped apart for analysis. I have already corrected my professor several times, and I think I need to stay after class to talk with him...