Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Alleluia, Amen: Xenolalia, Glossolalia, and Neurophysiology

This article puts forward the proposition that the twin phenomena of ecstatic language identified in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 should not be conflated into a single behavior: speaking in tongues. It is argued the two NT accounts describe two distinct practices: xenolalia (Acts 2) and glossolalia (1 Corinthians 14). Furthermore, when their differences are recognized, this distinction is supported by evidence from neuroscience that different cognitive and neural functions are involved in the two phenomena as depicted: neurophysiological research confirms the difference between the Pentecost experience described in Acts, and the spiritual gifts of the Pauline texts