Is Christian mysticism a good thing?

[saintiaint]

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...

You seem to be familiar with superficialism

 

[Tone]

You seem to be familiar with superficialism

"Familiar"? Isn't that a mystical creature?

 

[saintiaint]

"Familiar"? Isn't that a mystical creature?

But unfamiliar with interesting humour

 

[Grunt Hemlock]

Sylvia Browne had a Familiar Spirit named Francine - told her that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married, went to France after Jesus survived the crucifixion and Jesus lived to be 86 !

 

[friend of]

Christian Mysticism sounds like Gnosticism to me.

 

[amigo de christo]

Christian Mysticism sounds like Gnosticism to me.

With new age all over it . It has many isms within its chambers .
And her ways lead unto death . Let us stick to Christ and biblical doctrine .

 

[Tone]

But unfamiliar with interesting humour

Mi no comprende carnalito...

 

[Renniks]

Well like others have said, it kind of depends what you mean by the term. Christians down through the ages have had what could be called mystical experiences, where they see visions or feel especially close to God or experience other miracles. Nothing wrong with reading about them. I think it's wrong to "chase" after a mystical experience like it's some Holy Grail, or to suppose that those not having such experiences aren't as saved or are lesser saints. Some have called Tozer a Christian mystic because of his hunger for God. So, there is a good kind of mystic to be and another kind that veers off the path into new-age nonsense.

 

[Tone]

You seem to be familiar with superficialism

No, not really...care to explain?

 

[saintiaint]

Christian Mysticism sounds like Gnosticism to me.

It's not.

 

[saintiaint]

Christians down through the ages have had what could be called mystical experiences, where

Like St. Paul did. And based all his writing on it. His faith was not based on reason but one mystical experience.

 

[saintiaint]

Well like others have said, it kind of depends what you mean by the term. Christians down through the ages have had what could be called mystical experiences, where they see visions or feel especially close to God or experience other miracles. Nothing wrong with reading about them. I think it's wrong to "chase" after a mystical experience like it's some Holy Grail, or to suppose that those not having such experiences aren't as saved or are lesser saints. Some have called Tozer a Christian mystic because of his hunger for God. So, there is a good kind of mystic to be and another kind that veers off the path into new-age nonsense.

Fair post . You tend not to wear blinkers.

 

[Tone]

Like St. Paul did. And based all his writing on it. His faith was not based on reason but one mystical experience.

Well, I'd say it was both. Paul was steeped in Rabbinic Judaism and Torah, and the idea of wholeness, i.e., meeting the Creator with every aspect of his being was very familiar to him. Remember, Judaism has always had its mystical element as well. I mean, it's clear that during his experience on the road to Damascus, he didn't just feel some vague force, but rather, he had conversation with the very real Person he spoke and acted against.

 

[DNB]

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

Is it a good thing, in general, no. Yes, the term mysticism in Christianity is extremely common, and many eminent saints were considered mystics. In the Christian context it is not regarded as demonic or gnostic, but non-corporeal, ethereal and sublime.

I think that it's extremely precarious to entertain or delve into such experiences. The mind is extremely powerful, and man is extremely misguided and impressionable. What people describe as a mystic experience, or epiphany, or even inspiration from the Holy Ghost, is more often than not, vain delusion, ...demonstrably so. For, just the description alone of what they claim that they saw or heard i.e. stigmata, visions of Mary, visions of heaven, angels or Jesus, physical weightlessness, flying around like an angel, etc... undermines the veracity of their testimony.
God's Word is serious, austere and sober, not for the immature or those prone to frivolous imaginations.

Wisdom edifies, protects and saves souls. If words to live by were not given to you from your so-called experience, or a veritable miracle did not occur, then you need more sleep, start eating more nutritiously, and stop watching and reading flaky material. God's people need words of truth, proper doctrine, and self-discipline, we are sheep amongst wolves. Dreams and flying angels does absolutely no one, any good.

 

[amadeus]

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

Thank you for the clarification...

LOL... by nice do you mean "good"? Remember what Jesus said about that:

"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Mark 10:18

So then who would the "good" guys be?

 

[saintiaint]

So then who would the "good" guys be?

Guess I will have to start a good guys group. I'm of course one of the good ones.

 

[amadeus]

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.

Well I have never explored Buddhism so really knowing nothing about it I simply leave it alone. Unfortunately some people will condemn you for even suggesting it might have something good in it. I did read the Book of Mormon and associated volumes and did find some good things. How does any person who does not know God or His Son ever do anything good? I do believe that they do.

Should we condemn the whole loaf because it is not completely "good"? If we did that would there be anything left? I wonder if anyone else has trimmed the mold off a loaf bread and ate what remained...? I certainly have!

 

[amadeus]

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.

The ones striving to eliminate sinning and the attractions leading to sin would be described, I believe, as overcomers. Overcomers are allowed to partake of the Tree of Life! This would be perhaps the primary purpose of the Holy Ghost in a person's life...

 

[saintiaint]

God's Word is serious, austere and sober, not for the immature or those prone to frivolous imaginations.

I prefer the God with a sense of humour.

 

[saintiaint]

Well I have never explored Buddhism so really knowing nothing about it I simply leave it alone. Unfortunately some people will condemn you for even suggesting it might have something good in it. I did read the Book of Mormon and associated volumes and did find some good things. How does any person who does not know God or His Son ever do anything good? I do believe that they do.

Should we condemn the whole loaf because it is not completely "good"? If we did that would there be anything left? I wonder if anyone else has trimmed the mold off a loaf bread and ate what remained...? I certainly have!

You astound me with your broad minded contributions. Praise the Lord! I've found a friend on here!