Christian mysticism?

[Cameron143]

A lot of people do have a problem with the semantics; but mystic(ism) describes people with beliefs and practices that interact with a spiritual/supernatural/unseen world.

While it's true that there are shamans, witches, pagan priesthoods and so forth that practice wickedness; Christians may be categorized with "mystics" simply because we also believe in spiritual things- for the most part this is only to contrast mystics as a whole with rationalists who believe only in the material universe.

I used a specific word with a specific meaning. If people add more to what is stated or intended, perhaps that is on them. Mystical is the term I employed. Another poster changed that to mystic, and you changed it to mysticism. I gave a definition. One can understand what I posted if they want or misconstrue what I posted if they want.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

A lot of people do have a problem with the semantics; but mystic(ism) describes people with beliefs and practices that interact with a spiritual/supernatural/unseen world.

While it's true that there are shamans, witches, pagan priesthoods and so forth that practice wickedness; Christians may be categorized with "mystics" simply because we also believe in spiritual things- for the most part this is only to contrast mystics as a whole with rationalists who believe only in the material universe.

Mystics get to define god according to thier own personal experience is the thing cjristians generally believe the holt scriptures are true and believe thier thoughts aren’t equal to the scripture so they are able to conform to what they believe is true from gods word rather than reasoning it away with rhier own imagination our own thoughts can’t compete with scripture

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:14-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

mystics will explain tbat their own personal revelations trump the scripture . It’s origination is for the purpose of going around what is there

 

[Cameron143]

The world may catagorize christians with being mystics, but no christian should allow it or accept it.
It labels us with the wise men of Babylon, the wise men of Egypt, & the old mystics of Europe. It involves witchcraft and occultism from the earliest times.
Do you practice white magic?

For someone using the moniker Edify, you do little to live up to it. I never used the term mystic. So any discussion of mystic is beyond the scope of my original comments. You have interjected this into the conversation.

 

[SomeDisciple]

mystics will explain tbat their own personal revelations trump the scripture .

Well, that's your own characterization and private definition of what a mystic is. That's why I said the problems are semantic.

 

[Edify]

Call it what you want, but the title is called
Christian mysticism

 

[SomeDisciple]

I used a specific word with a specific meaning. If people add more to what is stated or intended, perhaps that is on them. Mystical is the term I employed. Another poster changed that to mystic, and you changed it to mysticism. I gave a definition. One can understand what I posted if they want or misconstrue what I posted if they want.

Well, the post you replied to was actually to the OP; not to you or Edify... regardless, the terms share the same root and pertain to the same concept.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Well, that's your own characterization and private definition of what a mystic is. That's why I said the problems are semantic.

Yeah because I’ve had a lot of discussions with mystics every one of them comes to the same conclusion in the end it’s about rejecting scripture and explaining “ the truth about God based on what a person has themselves imagined about God

I would just encourage you to share some scripture with one and see what happens . I’m bet they go in a big circle and end up opposite of what the scriptire says just a guess though and surely just my own thought based on conversations with probably five to seven people claiming it

 

[SomeDisciple]

Yeah because I’ve had a lot of discussions with mystics every one of them comes to the same conclusion in the end it’s about rejecting scripture and explaining “ the truth about God based on what a person has themselves imagined about God

I would just encourage you to share some scripture with one and see what happens . I’m bet they go in a big circle and end up opposite of what the scriptire says just a guess though and surely just my own thought based on conversations with probably five to seven people claiming it

My guy, if you believe in spirits, or the spirit world; then you are by definition a mystic. If we are just reading/sharing scriptures and not believing anything spiritual is happening then it is for nothing.

But yes- there are people that are engaging in spiritual practices that have no idea what is going on; that's why the bible says not to believe every spirit. There are lying spirits sowing confusion.

 

[lrs68]

Mysticism seems to apply to something that is unknown. That in order to figure it out would require conjuring. Almost appears to be magical in essence much like the 'Craft'. It really seems extremely weird to connect it to God. And the theme is opposite of the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, Prophets, and others. It's more in alignment with self defense [mind over matter] concept. Seems to definitely put the emphasis on relying upon self over God. Interesting but no thanks.

 

[Edify]

From Google:
What denomination is Christian mysticism?

It has often been connected to mystical theology, especially in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christianity (both the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox traditions). The attributes and means by which Christian mysticism is studied and practiced are varied.

I definitely wouldn't agree with them.

 

[GWH]

So I came across this term recently and I have never heard of it before so I did a google search on it and it says this

It involves practices and theological understandings aimed at preparing the individual for, and facilitating, an intimate encounter with the divine. This encounter is often described as a union with God, characterized by divine love and presence, but within the framework of maintaining a distinction between the Creator and the created.
Further explanations say.....
Core Concepts:

• Direct Experience of God:
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  Christian mysticism emphasizes the possibility of experiencing God's presence directly, rather than relying solely on intellectual understanding or ritualistic practices.
  
  
• • Union with God:
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    While maintaining a distinction between God and the individual, mystics seek a profound union with God, characterized by love, intimacy, and a sense of oneness.
  • Spiritual Transformation:
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    Mysticism involves a process of spiritual growth and transformation, often described as stages (purgative, illuminative, and unitive).
  • Love as the Driving Force:
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    Love is central to the mystical experience, with God's love being the ultimate focus and the source of transformation.

Practices:

• • Prayer and Meditation:
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    Christian mystics engage in various forms of prayer and meditation, including contemplative prayer, lectio divina, and practices that aim to quiet the mind and open to God's presence.
  • Fasting and Asceticism:
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    Some mystics practice fasting and other forms of self-discipline to detach from worldly desires and focus on God.
  • Contemplation:
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    Mystics engage in contemplation, which involves focusing the mind on God and allowing God to reveal Himself.
• So unless I am mistaken it seems to be a more personal and interactive form of Christianity
• which to me is what it should be in general anyways a intimate personal and interactive relationship but maybe I am not understanding it does anyone have any insight on this?

The problematic part of the explanation is divorcing God and God's Word,
demeaning learning GW as "intellectual", when Jesus taught (in John 14, 15 & 16)
that LGW was the direct way the Holy Spirit would be experienced.

 

[Edify]

1 Thessalonians 5:22 abstain from every form(KJV appearance) of evil.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

My guy, if you believe in spirits, or the spirit world; then you are by definition a mystic. If we are just reading/sharing scriptures and not believing anything spiritual is happening then it is for nothing.

But yes- there are people that are engaging in spiritual practices that have no idea what is going on; that's why the bible says not to believe every spirit. There are lying spirits sowing confusion.

My guy, if you believe in spirits, or the spirit world; then you are by definition a mystic.”


Not me lol no I just believe what the Bible says

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

arhat doesn’t make me “ mystic “ or mean I practice “ mysticism “ it means I believe scriptire which tells people about things we can’t see and bids us to believe …. Mysticism doesn’t believe the scriptures instead the trust is in “ my own personal understanding and view of God “

Test what I said find someone who practices mysticism and then share some scripture with them watch what happens .you’ll find disagreements immediately because you believe the Bible

mysticism isn’t for me o think we definately have different definitions about it but I digress I’m definately not in line with mystics lol we argue over 90 percent of what they say the other ten percent is in the Bible

 

[lrs68]

It's funny but sometimes man's traditions can help one understand what is happening.

When I go to Church I shake hands with people and say to them [Praise the Lord]!

I once was invited (when I was 18) to a gathering and I watched people doing something similar [they would bow to one another] but instead of saying [Praise the Lord] they said [Merry Meet]. It turns out that is a Pagan\Wiccan\Witchcraft greeting to a fellow believer like [Praise the Lord] is a greeting to a Christian. And as I watched and listened I heard terminology like [(Mysticism, Mystical, Conjure, Conjuring, the Craft, the Path, and much more to remember right now)].

But when I read the thread title my first thought before clicking to see what the subject matter was about I wondered is this talking about Paganism and Witchcraft?

It's those specific words I will never forget as long as I live because the only time I ever heard them was in relationship to the worship of Nature.

 

[Daisy2]

The world may catagorize christians with being mystics, but no christian should allow it or accept it.
It labels us with the wise men of Babylon, the wise men of Egypt, & the old mystics of Europe. It involves witchcraft and occultism from the earliest times.
Do you practice white magic?

personally I've never liked the word mystic. It sounds like magic or fairies which is another reason it probably frowned upon by our Christian community. Divine audience with the almighty would be a better description. Another concern is does the visions align with scripture? Its also possible to be misled by the devil so its good to be careful and to test the visions with what the bible says.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

personally I've never liked the word mystic. It sounds like magic or fairies which is another reason it probably frowned upon by our Christian community. Divine audience with the almighty would be a better description. Another concern is does the visions align with scripture? It’s also possible to be misled by the devil so its good to be careful and to test the visions with what the bible says.

“test the visions with what the bible says.”

amen

 

[ResidentAlien]

My guy, if you believe in spirits, or the spirit world; then you are by definition a mystic.

Not necessarily. Christian mysticism is a philosophy within Christianity with its own beliefs and practices; many of which aren't Biblical or Christian. Refer to the original poster's first post. I believe in spirits and the spirit world but I'm most definitely not a mystic. I'd call myself a spiritual person but not a mystic.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Not necessarily. Christian mysticism is a philosophy within Christianity with its own beliefs and practices; many of which aren't Biblical or Christian. Refer to the original poster's first post. I believe in spirits and the spirit world but I'm most definitely not a mystic. I'd call myself a spiritual person but not a mystic.

Amen

….when will this hit home for us ?

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

[Blain]

I wonder if the word mystic is what triggers people, I like what @Daisy2 called it divine audience with God. by definition this is what google says about it
A Christian mystic is someone who seeks deep, intimate union with God—beyond just knowing about Him, they long to experience His presence personally, spiritually, and sometimes supernaturally.


Mysticism in the Christian tradition isn’t about strange practices or secret knowledge. True Christian mysticism is about encountering God in spirit and truth, being transformed by His love, and becoming one with Him in heart and purpose.

I fail to see how this has to do with traditions or theology but say we call it a divine audience with God well that seems to fit better in my opinion

 

[Blain]

Well my friend i have had many experiences with the Lord. Some good and some not so good.
I've been overwhelmed on many occasions as the Lord taught me to be still and know that ...(He Is)....I Am.
But here's the thing that makes me ignorant I guess in this conversation,
God came to man, man did not go to God throughout the Bible. It seems to be his chosing.
In the garden in the cool of the day, at Mt ZION. The prophets spoke of the Lord coming upon them sharing visions and dreams.
At Pentecost for a example.
So to be fair not knowing a great deal about this it to me seems like enchantment which I may be wrong and showing my ignorance
but a red flag just goes up.

Could it be because of the term Christian mystic? that word mystic seems to be a red flag but by definition what a Christian mystic is is really just a deeper more personal relationship with God
it can be easy to disregard it because of the terminology of mystic but consider doing your own research on it and see if it makes more sense.