Animal Glossolalia: A Pneumatological Framework for Animal Theology

Abstract

This article extends the concept of glossolalia to encompass the idea of creaturely “sighs and groans,” emphasizing that animals, despite the apparent absence of reflective consciousness, harbor the capacity for expressions such as praise, lament, and prophecy. Within this research, a model of “animal glossolalia” is introduced, transcending the confines of human experience to delve into how animals engage in this unique form of spiritual expression through the Spirit. It posits that God hears the voices of all his non-human creatures through their sighs and groans. This exploration of animal spirituality and glossolalia challenges prevailing anthropocentric perspectives, advocating for a broader and more inclusive comprehension of glossolalia that embraces all of God’s creatures through the interceding Spirit.