I detest mysticism.
Many years ago, the pastor of the church we were attending defined mysticism as “trying to know God apart from Scripture.” Brilliantly simple.
The mystic feels he can know God face-to-face in this life. That he can know God directly, without the mediation of Scripture.
And, certainly, we all long to know him that way. But that is held over for heaven, isn’t it? That is our Great Hope for the future. On one hand, God dwells in us and is closer than a brother. On the other, he is still apart from us. We are here and he is there. That is part of the pain of the present age.
But in the meantime we don’t listen for God’s voice. We listen to God’s voice. In the Bible..
Sola Scriptura!
“For now we see in a mirror darkly but then face to face.”
I like that, “Trying to know God apart from scripture.” Something that seems to be more and more a trend in our culture.
Yes!
Thank you for sharing this simple and plain definition of mysticism. It is easy to remember and says it all!
Thanks!
Hmmm…I’m a little unclear…how do you feel about mysticism, Barbara? Hahaha!
Sorry, Tammy….I don’t like it!
Agree so much with this, Mom. As people reference :God told me, etc., they are presuming to know his mind and thoughts outside of the source He has given, until He comes again. That is why I do not care for the book, Jesus Calling…musings of what God says, etc. to the author….
I share those sentiments. I know so many women who have fallen for the increasingly common teaching that we should listen for God’s direct voice giving inner directions and messages. They’re being taught by “mainline” authors and radio personalities that the mature Christian is one who has learned to listen for him by quieting their inner selves. It’s a travesty because it leads people away from Scripture, the only place they really can hear his voice and their only hope to know his will! It’s a true crisis in much of evangelicalism.
Bless you for your reminder here that we’re not missing the Lord’s voice but have his clear, true, and objective Word in our hands 24/7. He certainly can make himself known otherwise, if it furthers his purposes. But that’s a different thing altogether from our trying to conjure some sort of mystical experience. Not to mention that the mantra meditation so often associated with the current trend of “listening” (or “entering the silence”) is a component of Eastern/occult practice. Thank you!