C Michael Patton
C. Michael Patton is the primary contributor to the Parchment and Pen/Credo Blog. He has been in ministry for nearly twenty years as a pastor, author, speaker, and blogger.
Find him on Patreon
Th.M. Dallas Theological Seminary (2001), president of Credo House Ministries and Credo Courses, author of Now that I'm a Christian (Crossway, 2014) Increase My Faith (Credo House, 2011), and The Theology Program (Reclaiming the Mind Ministries, 2001-2006), host of Theology Unplugged, and primary blogger here at Parchment and Pen. But, most importantly, husband to a beautiful wife and father to four awesome children. Michael is available for speaking engagements.
Join his Patreon and support his ministry
2 replies to "Conversations with Tad – 10: Charismatics and Calvinists"
I am not convinced about “glossolalia” because …. Ok, so am I. However, let me take you on a journey so as to see this from different views.
1. Science
2. Musician
Science:
• fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Studies reveal interesting results! Those that speak in tongues appear to decrease in their frontal lobe activity especially the prefrontal cortex which Is associated with self-control and conscious planning. Consistent with many glossolalists who claim that they are not in control of the speech they produce when speaking in tongues.
• SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography). A well-known study by University of Pennsylvania in 2006 documented that while speaking in togues, there was decrease activity in the frontal lobes and an increase in the region of the brain that ‘s linked to emotional experiences. Contrast with norma, conscious language production but align with the claim that glossolalia is produced from a state beyond conscious control.
• (Speculative) Those who practice glossolalia could influence neural pathways. Just like learning a musical instrument or a new language.
• Memory & cognition. Preliminary research has indicated that glossolalists might differ from non-glossolalists in certain cognitive tasks. The results are mixed and more research are needed.
• Neuroplasticity. (Theory). Frequent engagement in glossolalia could influence neural pathways. Like learning musical instrument or new language can change the brain’s structure and function. Very reasonable and likely.
• Biochemical changes (theory base on what is known in reward pathways) Activities that are perceived as rewarding or spiritually fulfilling might lead to the release of dopamine associated with pleasure and reinforcement.
• A fascinating finding is Cortical thickening. Example of a violinist has a thicker motor cortex in the hand region. If certain regions of the brain are more active during glossolalia, they might, over time show changes in cortical thickness.
Musician who improvises. Fascinating concept.
• As stated earlier under science heading—musical improvisation, fMRI reveal decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex, a region associated with conscious self-monitoring and effortful planning. This suggest they were able to “turn off” the more analytical parts of their brain and this allow free-flowing creativity. Similarly, there are some research studies that glossolalists may also have decreased activity in similar prefrontal regions during glossolalia, reduced self-awareness. AMYGDALA & LIMBIC system. Research reveals that during musical improvisation increase activity in the amygdala and other parts of the limbic system during musical improvisation. This is associated with the emotional expression and processing that often accompanies spontaneous music creation. The emotional intensity in glossolalists might be linked to heightened limbic system activities. (Remember research are based on money and this type of research would be hard press to get funding!)
That is FACINATING!