noun
mys·ti·cism ˈmi-stə-ˌsi-zəm
1: the experience of mystical union or direct communion with ultimate reality reported by mystics
2: the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (such as intuition or insight)
3a: vague speculation: a belief without sound basis b: a theory postulating the possibility of direct and intuitive acquisition of ineffable knowledge or power
Mysticism has existed for as long as man has conceived of a god. Christianity was no sooner born than it began to find root in the minds of the new converts. It has been a constant struggle throughout the history of the church and our tendencies toward mystical thought and forms of worship have driven many outside of orthodoxy. In its most subtle forms, it has affected us all in varying degrees. We should be aware of it and its dangers to the faith.
The popularity of the "Jesus Calling" series by Sarah Young has done much to promote mystical thought and practice within the Church. It almost always comes by some well-meaning though misguided individual. In her popular devotions, she gives daily encouragement from the Savior Himself. The idea is simple, during times of meditation and contemplation, she receives these thoughts from Christ, and she then pens them down in the first person. Christians all over the world are now reading these thoughts as daily devotions as though Christ himself was speaking to her by direct revelation in real time.
However, long before I heard of Sarah Young and "Jesus Calling" I was doing the same thing myself. In the Christian circles that I was associated with I was instructed by a Pastor to keep a notepad next to the bed; you never knew when you might have a dream from the Lord and need to write it down so as not to forget it. People or ministers would get a "word from the Lord" for you, and it was considered wise to write those words down. You wouldn't want to forget a personal message from God as to miss it when it happens or forget to do it. If you woke up at night and couldn't go back to sleep, you were to assume God wanted to show you something, so you would get up and pray or study to try and determine what he was saying.
Other forms of mysticism I practiced were in times of prayer. If there was a decision I needed to make, I would go spend time in prayer, mostly then speaking in ecstatic Pentecostal (tongue speaking) while expecting some thought or unction that would direct me in the right direction. It is not uncommon for non-Pentecostal Christians during prayer to wait and listen in their minds for God to give them specific instructions as answers to their prayers. Sometimes simple thoughts or events are interpreted as answers to those inquiries.
In studying the Bible, if a particular scripture seemed to draw our attention more than usual, we were to consider God wanting to show us something about that passage. Whatever understanding could be gained from it during that time would be considered God's instructions or revelation concerning that passage. All of these things are mysticism and should not be a part of Christian worship.
This all comes from our desire to feel close to God, if we can experience something, a feeling, or a perceived thought from God, we feel as though we have bridged the gap and touched the figure of God!
Our life that is hidden in Christ in God is not subjective, but a life of objective obedience. The author of Hebrews tells us, Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV
(1) Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
(2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
God truly is speaking to us today, He is doing so through His word. The Holy Scriptures is His revelation on the earth today. Our time spent in the word is time spent with God himself. It is a simple and objective way to live, it removes all the shadows and uncertainty of our walk with Him. If we need direction concerning some change in our lives, we can pray to Him and ask him to guide us in His providence. Then we can get up and make our decision with confidence knowing His providence will eventually bring us where He has determined. Romans 8:27-28 ESV
(27) And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
(28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Sometimes it might appear to us we made the wrong decision, but all the while God was using an adverse and uncomfortable situation to grow us in grace and assurance. In those times, if we were walking in mysticism and thought we heard some voice in our head or followed some omen we perceived to be from God and it all went wrong; well then our assurance would be shattered and our mind confused because we must have missed God. We get all distracted trying to follow all these perceived and subjective messages instead of a confident walk with God in His word.
Christian mysticism is dangerous, many well-meaning Christians have been led astray. Many have become disillusioned and confused, even to an abandonment of the faith. It changes the Christian way of life into a life similar to other world religions. There are all kinds of religions promising mystical connections with God. Their testimonies sound intriguing, even desirable, and no doubt they are experiencing something. Christianity is unlike the religions of the world, it is not man trying to get to God, it is God coming to man in the person of Jesus Christ.
Britannica identifies mysticism as being taught by the Apostal Paul and John stating, "The earliest form of Christian mysticism was the Christ-mysticism of Paul and John. Although Christian mysticism in its traditional expression has centered on the desire for union with God, Christ-mysticism has always been present in the church." They point to such verses as, Philippians 3:8-11 ESV
(8) Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
(9) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
(10) that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
(11) that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Such verses in Scripture Christianity are sometimes perceived to be mystical, this is a wrong view of Christianity. This is not Paul seeking some mystical experience with God. It is a response to his own salvation and calling into the ministry. It is Paul recounting His desire to walk in active objective obedience to the highest measure possible. There were outstanding encounters with supernatural gifts and abilities experienced during the Apostolic times, all of which served their purpose ordained by God. However, those experiences were never meant to be the average everyday life of the believer throughout church history. Every time someone has tried to recover those times it has led to unorthodox and damaging practices.
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