How do intellectual beliefs or doctrines become spiritual

[dms1972]

What I am asking is how if one has a non-christian spirituality what can they do to become a christian spiritually. Lets say someone was a christian at one point, but started to explore outside of biblical spirituality, and eventually lost their way spirituality - what is refered to by some as spiritual adultery. What if they really embraced another spirituality eg. some sort of neo-gnosticism / New age spirituality and eventually was no longer a christian spiritually (can that happen?) How does one repent in that case if they really have embraced another spirituality?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

What I am asking is how if one has a non-christian spirituality what can they do to become a christian spiritually. Lets say someone was a christian at one point, but started to explore outside of biblical spirituality, and eventually lost their way spirituality - what is refered to by some as spiritual adultery. What if they really embraced another spirituality eg. some sort of neo-gnosticism / New age spirituality and eventually was no long a christian spiritually (can that happen?) How does one repent in that case if they really have embraced another spirituality?

Sure it can happen! And absolutely one can repent, change their mind, and return to their first Love Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Just do it !
Be blessed.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

What I am asking is how if one has a non-christian spirituality what can they do to become a christian spiritually. Lets say someone was a christian at one point, but started to explore outside of biblical spirituality, and eventually lost their way spirituality - what is refered to by some as spiritual adultery. What if they really embraced another spirituality eg. some sort of neo-gnosticism / New age spirituality and eventually was no long a christian spiritually (can that happen?) How does one repent in that case if they really have embraced another spirituality?

Someone else will have to come along as a mediator and help that person question his/her perceptions and conceptualized axioms.

 

[dms1972]

"Someone else will have to come along as a mediator and help that person question his/her perceptions and conceptualized axioms."

I think that is what a catechist does, or something like that.

But can you give an example, of what you mean by "conceptualised axiom" so I can understand you better?

Sure it can happen! And absolutely one can repent, change their mind, and return to their first Love Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Just do it !
Be blessed.

I don't see repentance as simple as "Just do it", if repentance is to be profound (out of the depths). But of course one can read the Bible I suppose and let that work spiritually. Any suggestions of good parts of scripture to study, if one is wanting to move towards repentance?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

"Someone else will have to come along as a mediator and help that person question his/her perceptions and conceptualized axioms."

I think that is what a catechist does, or something like that.

But can you give an example, of what you mean by "conceptualised axiom" so I can understand you better?




I don't see repentance as simple as "Just do it", if repentance is to be profound (out of the depths). But of course one can read the Bible I suppose and let that work spiritually. Any suggestions of good parts of scripture to study, if one is wanting to move towards repentance?

Repentance involves Loving Jesus Christ of Nazareth more than sin. This comes from the condition of one's own heart. One can not read themselves into Agape Love. This is proven over and over as the Pharisees thought themselves superior in knowledge yet ignorant to the truth of Love. Best to pray for what ever is contributing to a hardened heart. Blessings

 

[dms1972]

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[dms1972]

Someone else will have to come along as a mediator and help that person question his/her perceptions and conceptualized axioms.

I see that could be helpful if it was done correctly - a catechism can address spiritual and mental issues if the catechist does it carefully and doesn't make it just a exercise in reciting this and that.

 

[CoreyD]

What I am asking is how if one has a non-christian spirituality what can they do to become a christian spiritually. Lets say someone was a christian at one point, but started to explore outside of biblical spirituality, and eventually lost their way spirituality - what is refered to by some as spiritual adultery. What if they really embraced another spirituality eg. some sort of neo-gnosticism / New age spirituality and eventually was no long a christian spiritually (can that happen?) How does one repent in that case if they really have embraced another spirituality?

I like your question.
As you know, spirituality has to do with one's relationship with God.

Of course, many people believe they have a relationship with God, in all the world's religions.
So, the question of how we get a relationship with God - spirituality - is a good question.

Jesus, who identified himself as the son of God, said, he came to tell us the truth about God John 18:37, and he said it was important for us to have knowledge of God, and Jesus Christ, whom God sent. John 17:3
Through the apostle Paul, God said correct knowledge was important. 1 Timothy 2:3, 4, and Jesus said truth was important. John 4:24; John 8:31, 32.
He also said that truth is found in God's word. John 17:17, which the apostle Paul said was God breathed. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

So, to get spirituality, according to God and his son, one has to have an accurate knowledge of God's word the Bible, which is not intellectual beliefs or doctrines.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I see that could be helpful if it was done correctly - a catechism can address spiritual and mental issues if the catechist does it carefully and doesn't make it just a exercise in reciting this and that.

I wasn't thinking of a catechism in relation to the application of critical thinking. But whatever the case may be, in what way are you concerned here in this thread, dms? I've always been under the impression that you are already within the Christian fold of belief, but due to certain challenges you've had to face, you haven't felt like you are in the fold.

We've talked off and on over the past several years, and I'm not quite clear on which aspects of the Christian Faith you're having the most problem with. So, what do you feel is crucial in your life or faith that isn't being addressed so far?

 

[dms1972]

I like your question.
As you know, spirituality has to do with one's relationship with God.

Of course, many people believe they have a relationship with God, in all the world's religions.
So, the question of how we get a relationship with God - spirituality - is a good question.

Jesus, who identified himself as the son of God, said, he came to tell us the truth about God John 18:37, and he said it was important for us to have knowledge of God, and Jesus Christ, whom God sent. John 17:3
Through the apostle Paul, God said correct knowledge was important. 1 Timothy 2:3, 4, and Jesus said truth was important. John 4:24; John 8:31, 32.
He also said that truth is found in God's word. John 17:17, which the apostle Paul said was God breathed. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

So, to get spirituality, according to God and his son, one has to have an accurate knowledge of God's word the Bible, which is not intellectual beliefs or doctrines.

Thanks, I wasn't sure whether I had asked it in a clear enough way for people to understand. Thanks for your scripture points.

Any knowledge of Scripture will have intellectual and cognitive content, however it can sometimes lack context.

The issue mentioned by another poster about the Pharisees (and Sadducees ) was not as I see it that they studied the scriptures (ie the OT scriptures) it was that the One the prophets had foretold was in their midst but they would not recognise Jesus for Who He was, not because they only had mere intellectual knowledge, but because they craved religious power and prestige and wouldn't give it up. There was nothing wrong with them studying the scriptures.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

If it's not been mentioned already one of the best books recommended by so many is
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.

 

[CoreyD]

Thanks, I wasn't sure whether I had asked it in a clear enough way for people to understand. Thanks for your scripture points.

You are welcomed.
I'm glad I was able to understand you correctly.

 

[Lukaris]

Personally, I meditate on the Lord’s commandments in my mind while being active like walking or doing yard work ( for ex.). I don’t use any eastern technique or anything like that. I do this as a prayer and a meditation for myself and for fellow humans in general while also asking forgiveness of my sins ( 1 John 1:5-10). I work in a warehouse for my day job & there is various rock, hip hop, country music etc. so I can’t do this there.


I do this in name of the Father, Son, &
Holy Spirit, One God ( Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 John 5:7), there is an Orthodox prayer called the “Jesus Prayer” which goes, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” I also say “have mercy on us” (this prayer is inspired from Luke 18:9-14). Also, I say the Lord’s commandments ( Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew 7:12), I say the Lord’s call for evangelism ( Matthew 9:36-38). I will add the Lord’s Prayer to this a couple times a day.

I go by in a mental sense what Moses says in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The Lord says we should always pray ( Luke 18:1). In the KJV the word “meditate” appears in Psalm 119 in verses 15,23, 48, 78, & 148. All of Psalm 119 seems like a meditation & exhortation for doing just this. The set up of 22 Hebrew letters & 8 verses per letter seems perfect for 22 sections of meditation & prayer. While not often, once in a while, I will take a pocket Bible ( usually a Gideon NT, Psalms, & Proverbs) & discreetly cover a few sections of this Psalm individually with my meditation thing I mentioned above while on a walk.

I pray regular personal prayers also of course.