Is Christian mysticism a good thing?

[saintiaint]

Oh yes definitely. I'm a big fan of Christian mysticism.
Catholicism has a mystical tradition.
Mystics like St. John of the Cross, had mystical experiences, bordering on supernatural. He had a very special relationship with God. Here's a wiki summary.

Christian mysticism - Wikipedia

 

[saintiaint]

You could say st. Paul had a mystical experience on the road to Damascus. Blinded by the light of God, falling off his horse. This transformed him into one of the most important theologians in Christianity.

 

[amadeus]

@saintiaint I do enjoy reading some of your posts, but remember that communication is always important. You use words for which different people have in their minds already a definition. If their definition does not match exactly the one you intend for each thing you say, a lack of communication is very likely. You could try what one person tried here by making up your own short hand... but LOL he is no longer here and he really did not intend to leave.

What do you mean by mysticism? Here are the first two that came up for me on a quick search:

1. belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.
2. belief characterized by self-delusion or dreamy confusion of thought, especially when based on the assumption of occult qualities or mysterious agencies.

 

[saintiaint]

@saintiaint I do enjoy reading some of your posts, but remember that communication is always important. You use words for which different people have in their minds already a definition. If their definition does not match exactly the one you intend for each thing you say, a lack of communication is very likely. You could try what one person tried here by making up your own short hand... but LOL he is no longer here and he really did not intend to leave.

What do you mean by mysticism? Here are the first two that came up for me on a quick search:

1. belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.
2. belief characterized by self-delusion or dreamy confusion of thought, especially when based on the assumption of occult qualities or mysterious agencies.

So you are one of the nice guys Amadeus?
Thanks for your post and you make a good point.
Some associate mysticism with witchcraft even.
I've never associated mysticism with cult like demonic worship. Never. Never ever.
Im a fan of Thomas Merton, John of the cross, Theresa of Avila, st. Anthony

 

[saintiaint]

belief characterized by self-delusion or dreamy confusion of thought, especially when based on the assumption of occult qualities or mysterioud agrncy

Ok Merton did explore Buddhism. And that's a no no for straight laced Christians.
I wouldn't call that confusion of thought though. More clarity of thought.

 

[saintiaint]

belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.

Yes this is pretty close to what I aspire to. Not seriously enough though. I truly believe some people have achieved this. Therefore I think Heaven can start now in this life. Look at the Saints who weren't afraid of death. Horrifying deaths in many cases.

 

[Enoch111]

I'm a big fan of Christian mysticism.

Mysticism is not a part of Bible Christianity. It is associated with false religions.

 

[Grunt Hemlock]

falling off his horse

Nowhere does it ever say Paul fell off his horse - or that he travelled to Damascus on a horse. A commentary of Calvin (which I can no longer find) has Calvin saying "Paul fell off his horse in fear".

Since Christ was a Corporal
Since Paul fell off his horse

No one truly thinks Christ was a Corporal in any army - but it is just as untrue that Paul fell off a horse. There are four accounts of Road to Damascus conversion. No horsies.

Another myth like Magi being at the Manger.

 

[Grunt Hemlock]

Did Saul actually fall off his horse on the road to Damascus?

This article discusses the three times in Acts where the Road to Damascus is discussed - the article does not relate the account in Galatians that summarizes the conversion also. Someone seeing a horse of a different color where there is no horse in the first place.

 

[saintiaint]

Mysticism is not a part of Bible Christianity. It is associated with false religions.

It's not the first time some Christian with blinkers on has made that comment.
As amadeus said, there is more than one meaning to "mysticism". I'm not into witchcraft for example.

 

[saintiaint]

Did Saul actually fall off his horse on the road to Damascus?

This article discusses the three times in Acts where the Road to Damascus is discussed - the article does not relate the account in Galatians that summarizes the conversion also. Someone seeing a horse of a different color where there is no horse in the first place.

Just another example of a Bible story that might not have actually occurred.

 

[Nancy]

@saintiaint I do enjoy reading some of your posts, but remember that communication is always important. You use words for which different people have in their minds already a definition. If their definition does not match exactly the one you intend for each thing you say, a lack of communication is very likely. You could try what one person tried here by making up your own short hand... but LOL he is no longer here and he really did not intend to leave.

What do you mean by mysticism? Here are the first two that came up for me on a quick search:

1. belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.
2. belief characterized by self-delusion or dreamy confusion of thought, especially when based on the assumption of occult qualities or mysterious agencies.

Hi John,

"belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender."

Not knowing anything about "Christian" Mysticism it seems as though the above definition almost sounds like one who is into this tries to attain a being a part of the Godhood ("absorption into the Deity") Could be way off here but it is what it reads to me

 

[Tone]

Oh yes definitely. I'm a big fan of Christian mysticism.
Catholicism has a mystical tradition.
Mystics like St. John of the Cross, had mystical experiences, bordering on supernatural. He had a very special relationship with God. Here's a wiki summary.

Christian mysticism - Wikipedia

Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter."

 

[Grunt Hemlock]

Christian Mysticism can be seen in the Orthodox monks on Mt Athos, the anonymous author of THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING, the aforementioned Thomas Merton, also Gregory of Nazianzus... lotta mysticism throughout Christianity in various periods. Sit up on a pillar and gaze at your navel til the satori of Christian Mysticism takes you into nirvana

 

[saintiaint]

Sit up on a pillar and gaze at your navel til the satori of Christian Mysticism takes you into nirvana

Shame you had to satirise. Shows you don't understand fully. Keep trying. You will get there one day.

 

[Grunt Hemlock]

Hare Krishna.

 

[Grunt Hemlock]

For when one considers the universe, can anyone be so simple-minded as not to believe that the Divine is present in everything, pervading, embracing and penetrating it?

Gregory of Nyssa

The CAPPADOCIANS were Basil - his brother Gregory - and his other brother Gregory (one actual brother, one spiritual brother). Top Dogs in Christian Mysticism, Cappadocians also were also pioneers of Trinitarian thought.

Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich.

Gregory of Nazianzus

 

[Tone]

Hare Krishna.

LOL

 

[saintiaint]

Hare Krishna.

Namaste

 

[Tone]

I believe anytime we attach that ole "ism" to anything, we're drifting a bit too far from shalom (wholeness)...and bleeding out the myst from our souls...