Christian mysticism?

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Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
21,459
3,533
113
#41
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.
If Christian mystics divorced God's word then yeah I would have issue with that but according to google that isn't what they do
to be fair though I have met plenty of people who are well versed in his word yet lack the spirit and do not even recognize his voice. I wrote a pem inspired by God a little ways back and one beef he had with some is being well versed in scripture but cold in spirit, we have plenty of people like that but if being a Christian mystic is about being close in spirit with God which it does seem to imply then I would think his word would naturally follow
 

Leastofall

Active member
Nov 3, 2024
267
111
43
#42
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.
How much more personal can you get than calling the God of all.... father.... abba ?(daddy)

Calling him your friend and he you.
How fruitful is it to have a experience you can't explain? It's just not for me brother.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
21,459
3,533
113
#43
How much more personal can you get than calling the God of all.... father.... abba ?(daddy)

Calling him your friend and he you.
How fruitful is it to have a experience you can't explain? It's just not for me brother.
It is actually very fruitful because there are things about God we can only understand by a personal experience. his love for instance unless you have felt it before how immensely deep and rich it is then you would never understand it you would only have head knowledge and also his wonder and majesty have you ever experienced those aspects of him?

if you have then you would be considered a Christian mystic a divine encounter that shaped your heart and brought you closer to him than you ever thought possible. there is a whole other level with him that many do not know of we call him abba father yes and this is a very personal and intimate kind of wording but to expereince father to be in his fold to taste and see his heart for yourself that is another thing entirely.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
9,181
4,025
113
#44
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." Matthew 10:1

Let those who have ears understand.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
65,390
33,297
113
#45
It is actually very fruitful because there are things about God we can only understand by a personal experience. his love for instance unless you have felt it before how immensely deep and rich it is then you would never understand it you would only have head knowledge and also his wonder and majesty have you ever experienced those aspects of him?

if you have then you would be considered a Christian mystic a divine encounter that shaped your heart and brought you closer to him than you ever thought possible. there is a whole other level with him that many do not know of we call him abba father yes and this is a very personal and intimate kind of wording but to expereince father to be in his fold to taste and see his heart for yourself that is another thing entirely.

Psalm 34 verse 8 Taste and see that The Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.[/sizee]
 
Oct 19, 2024
6,217
1,231
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USA-TX
#46
If Christian mystics divorced God's word then yeah I would have issue with that but according to google that isn't what they do
to be fair though I have met plenty of people who are well versed in his word yet lack the spirit and do not even recognize his voice. I wrote a pem inspired by God a little ways back and one beef he had with some is being well versed in scripture but cold in spirit, we have plenty of people like that but if being a Christian mystic is about being close in spirit with God which it does seem to imply then I would think his word would naturally follow
Those cited in 2Tim. 3:5 are not "well" versed but more like the angel of light (2Cor.11:14).
Mystics may want to walk by sight rather than by faith in the Gospel/GW (2Cor. 5:7).
The evidence of having the HS is love for all (John 13:35, Matt. 5:44, Gal. 5:22-23).
LIC, GWH
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
4,917
680
113
#47
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.
Our western culture has become philosophically very left brain elevating, and somewhat right-brain indifferent, including many in the western church. Mystics seek to access and use their right brain skills in their seeking of God. Just as Christian theologians can misuse their left brain skills to reason poorly and to become deceived into embracing teaching that is logically and theologically unsound, so too mystics can misuse their right brain skills and intuit poorly and become deceived into surrendering to communion that is spiritually and soulishly unsound, communing with demons pretending to be angels of light.

A balanced spirituality seeks God with both the left and right sides of the brain - love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind (i.e. left and right) and strength.

Many left brain dominant people seem to be suspicious of the mysticism of right brain dominant and left-right functional Christians, but do not apply the same suspicious scepticism to their own left brain dominant theological reasoning, which can also lead astray. These people don't seem to understand the working of their own two-sided brains and their own need to use both sides in a balanced and Jesus-following way..

Left brain vs. right brain: Characteristics, functions, and myths

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Medical News Today
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com › articles
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
1,873
802
113
#48
It seems to me that this is another route for gnosticism to worm its way into the church, juat saying
 
Oct 19, 2024
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USA-TX
#49
It seems to me that this is another route for gnosticism to worm its way into the church, juat saying
I just ran across this relevant item on our website in the HOB Part II:

9. Crusades: in Spain Avicebron (c. 1050) published the neo-Platonist idea that God can be apprehended only by intuition or mystical experience rather than by reason.
 

DeanM

Well-known member
May 4, 2021
1,071
734
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#51
You can read about all kinds of "revelations" by catholic mystics. Up to and including visions of the Virgin Mary and even Jesus Himself. I have to wonder if living in a cave and starving ones self might cause these things to occur. Depriving yourself of contact with others as well as food can cause the mind to imagine things.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
9,181
4,025
113
#52
Since the Christian mystic tradition has very strong roots in Catholcism–which is itself a false form of Christianity– I'm pretty skeptical that mysticism has anything to do with true Christianity.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
23,223
7,899
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#53
In John 14:23, Jesus makes an incredible statement. He says that those who keep His commandments will receive the love of the Father and that the Father will come and pitch His tent with them and tabernacle with them. What exactly does this look like? Is this simply true but nonexperiential? Or is there real and manifest spiritual realities that attend this promise?
 
Oct 19, 2024
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#54
In John 14:23, Jesus makes an incredible statement. He says that those who keep His commandments will receive the love of the Father and that the Father will come and pitch His tent with them and tabernacle with them. What exactly does this look like? Is this simply true but nonexperiential? Or is there real and manifest spiritual realities that attend this promise?
There are manifest spiritual realities, including those listed in Gal. 5:22-23.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
23,223
7,899
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#57
Do you mean could Paul have been more specific?
No. Jesus said God pitches His tent and dwells with believers. I'm wondering what you know of this reality. How is this manifested in your daily walk with God? I'm not looking for generic examples from scripture, but actual manifestations of what scripture says is possible actually occurring in one's life.
Perhaps an example will help. Jesus claims that His sheep hear His voice. There must be some actual manifestation of Jesus for this to be true. What is your experience of this?
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
1,873
802
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#58
New American Standard Bible
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word(obedience); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.
Is this salvation? Or is it something else?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
23,223
7,899
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63
#59
New American Standard Bible
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word(obedience); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.
Is this salvation? Or is it something else?
It's what Jesus prays for in John 17:3.
 
Oct 19, 2024
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USA-TX
#60
No. Jesus said God pitches His tent and dwells with believers. I'm wondering what you know of this reality. How is this manifested in your daily walk with God? I'm not looking for generic examples from scripture, but actual manifestations of what scripture says is possible actually occurring in one's life.
Perhaps an example will help. Jesus claims that His sheep hear His voice. There must be some actual manifestation of Jesus for this to be true. What is your experience of this?
Well, I see the fruit of the HS actually manifested by Christians including on CC,
so I don't know why you don't also see it actually occurring.
My guess is that you are looking for miracles,
but Scripture says we must be content with walking by faith.