The Wonders of Christian Mysticism

Introduction

The true notion of mysticism is about someone who has direct communion with God and surrenders to the will (or nature) of God; it can also be defined as being led by the Spirit in wisdom and revelations. Christianity commends this type of practice which has unfortunately been denied by some Protestant factions. But mysticism or being taught by God directly is something Jesus taught (John 6:45). Also Jesus spoke of it,

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’ ” (Matthew 4:4).

Traditionalists and biblio-zealots will assume this to be in reference to the Scriptures; on the contrary, Jesus was quoting from Moses’ time when they had no concept of the written word like modern Christians. So Jesus spoke of the voice of God, not written literature that is incapable of ongoing and personal guidance.

The Fear of Doctrinal Deception

The fear or anxious concern for biblio-zealots and sola scriptura folks is that people with revelation will add, change, or more likely contradict the received written word. But the Bible itself commends mystical experiences, and Jesus himself testified of this. Jesus said that the Spirit would lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Some will argue that Jesus only meant this for the disciples, yet John said to his audience that the “gift” of God would teach them everything pertaining truth (1 John 2:27). The apostle Paul prayed for the church to have wisdom and direct revelations from God. It is noted in his epistle to the Ephesians:

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge [epignosis] of God…” (Ephesians 1:17).

The Greek term for “epignosis” means recognition, perceptive knowledge, or better defined as experiential knowledge. Paul in the book of Romans mentioned that those who follow the Spirit of God are the children of God, which is a relational participation and not a set of rules followed by carnal striving (Romans 8:14). In a personal sense, following the Bible with our carnal strength is the same as trying to adhere to the mosaic law, by reason of being justified in God’s sight.

Although trying to adhere to the Scriptures can become a safe place for doctrine, it can also hinder us from spiritual and doctrinal progression. Also the ambiguity of the Bible and carnal reasoning has helped in the formation of many Christian denominations where they divide on topics like salvation, election, charismatic powers, ecclesiology, marriage, the triune nature of God, and eschatology. Even the Bible can be twisted by pride and/or misunderstood by ignorance (2 Peter 3:16).

Doctrinal Expansion

One aspect that mysticism offers is an expansion or progression in virtue, in faith, and in doctrine. This is where some consider this to be risky to implement in familiar theology or better yet in canonical thought. The author of Hebrews tells us that the mature should expand from the core teachings about Christ:

“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,…” (Hebrews 6:1).

This passage reveals that doctrinal expansion or progression is possible. But some or many Protestant factions perceive this as unnecessary and impossible. The Bible itself does not explain or record everything about spiritual dynamics and historical narratives (John 21:25). Some will argue against this notion with the use of this verse:

“I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another” (1 Corinthians 4:6).

But there are two problems with using this verse. Firstly, if this is absolutely true, then this goes against or contradicts with the verses in Hebrews 6:1–3. Secondly, Paul was speaking to immature believers who Paul judged as infants and carnal to the faith, which explains why they became proud due to their increased knowledge (1 Corinth. 3:1). Some believers aren’t ready to mature in doctrine or expand beyond the Scriptures. This is why Hebrews 6:3 says “If God permits, we will set aside or expand on the basic teachings of Christ”. God permits the mature but not the infants of the faith. So understand that I am not saying that all should try to expand beyond the Scriptures, but some should with wise caution and mental flexibility. The best way to not be deceived severely is to maintain a purity of heart and gentleness of mind; also to converse with the Spirit is a great way to discover truth. But testing the spirits comes to play by using the rule of virtue, the rule of christological truths, and the rule of confirmation (1 John 4:1–3).

The Mystical Christian

The Christian who practices mysticism has expressed “perfected” faith because faith is perfected by action and experience, not by just knowledge and belief. Despite their faith being genuine, it is not vibrant without being practiced and experienced. This is another reason why believers leave the church or its community, because fallen reality persuaded them that God is not real or just, and faith shows no results. But the mystical Christian has learned to trust God over fallen experience (2 Corinth. 5:7). Seeing visions and external confirmations to those visions, and later finding them in fruition sustains and upgrades the person’s faith. Constant preaching and self-affirmation does not work in elevating the faith of a believer.

The apostle Paul mentions that the Spirit has made us competent of this covenant (2 Corinth. 3:6), due to being given supernatural wisdom and direct revelations from God (Ephesians 1:17); while adding, no one can know His mind without these two components of His inspiration (Wisdom 9:16, 17; 1 Corinth. 2:6–16). What are the two components of divine inspiration? Wisdom (or biblical love) is the ethical and governing nature of God, and revelation (or theophanies) is the intimate nature of God. These two forces become an unstoppable power when mastered and realized by the believer. Most carnal or infantile believers do not possess a conscious relationship with God, but some have developed this mystical aspect of their faith from beginnings or the latter.

Since most of the Corinthians were earthbound and infantile, and very dependent, they needed a written example of a mature and mystical believer. And the apostle Paul describes such a mature man of God in his letter to the Corinthians:

“10 But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men know the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the things of God none know, save the Spirit of God. 12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Spirit teaches; combining spiritual things with spiritual words” (1 Corinth. 2:10–13).

The Spirit of God was given by God to all of mankind, even to those who are faithful and godly. The Spirit calls all of mankind but few respond to the call of repentance or transformation of the heart. The Spirit teaches us deep secrets, using spiritual words to explain spiritual concepts, or showing us spiritual physics.

“14 Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. 15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, and he himself is judged of no man. 16 ‘For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ” (v. 14–16).

The spiritual or mystical Christian is able to comprehend and accept spiritual concepts, but no carnal intellect is capable of concocting deep concepts of the spiritual world with keen accuracy. The spiritual man cannot be measured by a carnal man’s standard of wisdom and intelligence. Only to the world is he deemed insane and odd, but to the Lord, he is deemed wise and brilliant. The spiritual man analyzes spiritual things which can also refer to the testing of spirits. The mind of God cannot be fathomed and manifested without the twofold inspiration of God. It is written in the work of pseudo Solomon’s wisdom:

“We can barely guess what is present on earth, and discover it by much labor, but who can conclude what is in the heavens? Who knows Your mind unless you have given them Wisdom and sent Your Holy Spirit from above?” (Wisdom 9:16, 17).

Only by direct revelations of the Spirit and heavenly wisdom can we truly know the mind or will of God. We can know and understand the spiritual world by the powers of these two forces joined together. It is by direct revelation, he acquires insight into mysteries and it is by true wisdom, he properly examines and applies the spiritual insight. This is the way of the Christian mystics; this is the beauty of biblical mysticism. God can teach you things even without using the Bible, both the familiar and the unfamiliar; both the scripturally proven and the extra-biblical. Do not be afraid to take flight in this mystical arena.

Personal Note:

•By the way, this notion of twofold inspiration came from my experience with God and wisdom to understand it properly. Later on, do I find this concept in the Scriptures. I also learned about the peace of God in experience before finding it in Scripture. God bless your mystical communion.