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June 02, 2006

Defining Mysticism

Chambers' Dictionary defines 'mysticism' as 'the habit or tendency of religious thought and feeling of those who seek direct [with the accent on this word 'direct'] communion with God or the divine', while a mystic is defined as 'one who seeks or attains direct intercourse with God in elevated religious feeling or ecstasy'.

Alan Morrison, in his article about the evangelical attraction to mysticism, writes,

And so we find that what mysticism is all about — as it has manifested throughout the world over the centuries, whether it is Eastern mysticism or so called Christian mysticism — can be reduced to two heads:

1. The seeking out of a direct experience of God, without any mediator;
2. The setting up of the individual's subjective experience as the sole arbiter of religious truth.

Few purposefully seek to be deceived or enter into doctrinal error. Yet, ignorance of presuppositions have led to widespread acceptance of mystical teaching, such as this:

"Herein lies the secret, I believe, of the inner life of Jesus. Christ's communion with Abba in the inner sanctuary of His soul transformed His vision of reality, enabling Him to perceive God's love and care behind the complexities of life. Practicing the presence helps us to discern the providence of God at work especially in those dark hours when the signature of Jesus is being traced in our flesh. (You may wish to try it right now. Lower the book, center down, and offer yourself to the indwelling God.)" From Signature of Jesus - Brennan Manning

Manning teaches his readers how to pray, using an eight-word mantra. He says, "the first step in faith is to stop thinking about God at the time of prayer" (p. 212). The second step is "without moving your lips, repeat the sacred word [or phrase] inwardly, slowly, and often." If distractions come, "simply return to listening to your sacred word" (p. 218). He also encourages his readers to "celebrate the darkness" because "the ego has to break; and this breaking is like entering into a great darkness" (p. 145). Jesus said, "He who follows me shall not walk in the darkness" (John 8:12).

Posted by calvin at June 2, 2006 05:39 AM

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