This is That

Are the spiritual gifts still relevant today? What does Scripture actually teach about spiritual language, and how should believers understand it without falling into either excess or unbelief? In this episode of Sabbath Lounge, we sit down with Jeff Brannon, author of the new book This Is That: Speaking in Tongues, Its Functions, Its History, and What They’ve Left Out, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about one of the most debated spiritual gifts in Christianity. Jeff takes us through the biblical history, function, and purpose of speaking in tongues, while also addressing some of the personal questions and struggles many believers experience when exploring spiritual gifts. We talk about what happens when you experience spiritual dry spells, when you don’t seem to hear from the Father, and how we should respond during those seasons. We also discuss a fascinating illustration from Jeff’s other book: The Priestly Garments. What can this picture teach us about balance in spiritual gifts? If everything were simply ”bells,” there would be nothing but noise. What does the combination of bells and pomegranates teach us about discernment, balance, and the proper use of spiritual gifts?