-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
-
CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Mysticism
- Thread starter Nirvana*
- Start date
- Status
There are different types of mysticism. Which are you asking about? Eastern mysticism or Christian mysticism? They are not the same thing at all . .
Peace in Him1
Peace in Him1
Upvote
0
Hi metal!hotmetal said:
If I were to define a Christian mystic simply, it would be to call them those who are called to be "Marys" instead of "Marthas"
Are you familiar at all with St John of the Cross? If you have never read his works, I think you will find him to be very insightful. Also Theresa of Avilla is another.
Peace in Him!
Upvote
0
Benedicta00
Well-Known Member
Thresa,
Exactly.
It can be as simple as contemplative prayer and as unique and extraordinary as sharing the sufferings of Christ crucified in your own body.
They are gift given by the Holy Spirit.
No one should go out looking for the extraordinary mystical experiences IMO. Jesus said, Only one thing is required. Sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Exactly.
It can be as simple as contemplative prayer and as unique and extraordinary as sharing the sufferings of Christ crucified in your own body.
They are gift given by the Holy Spirit.
No one should go out looking for the extraordinary mystical experiences IMO. Jesus said, Only one thing is required. Sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Upvote
0
HoT-MetaL
Yahweh Warrior
In my course that im doing, the mystics we've come accross have led a life of bare contact with people, bare food, etc... they've done that because they want to intercede for the world. If i was to do that, i would really really have to be called to do that by God, and be 10000% certain. Some of them started after illness and things.
God Bless, metal.
God Bless, metal.
Upvote
0
Momzilla
Gettin' that old time religion!
I think there is a difference between "mysticism" and "being a mystic". I think the OP was more directed at mysticism in Christianity generally, so I'll address that (besides, it's what I'm personally more interested in).
First, a definition... when I think of Christian mysticism, what come to my mind are things like the real presence in the Eucharist (a belief held by Orthodox, Catholics, Lutherans, and Episcopalians), visions (prophetic and otherwise), and the Orthodox doctrine of theosis, which involves sharing in God's energies (but not in His essence).
In my experience, there is precious little mysticism in Protestant christianity. Indeed, it seems to me that protestantism as a whole rejects mysticism outright. (The Charismatic movement is probably an exception to this, but I don't know much about it). Protestants (other than Lutherans and Episcopalians) do not believe in the real presence and, generally speaking, avoid a sacramental (i.e., a mystical) understanding of practices like baptism, marriage, etc.
In fact, it is this very lack of mysticism that is prompting me to leave Protestant Christianity for Orthodox Christianity. I think there is a place for the mystical in everyday Christian life, without being some hermit off in the woods.
First, a definition... when I think of Christian mysticism, what come to my mind are things like the real presence in the Eucharist (a belief held by Orthodox, Catholics, Lutherans, and Episcopalians), visions (prophetic and otherwise), and the Orthodox doctrine of theosis, which involves sharing in God's energies (but not in His essence).
In my experience, there is precious little mysticism in Protestant christianity. Indeed, it seems to me that protestantism as a whole rejects mysticism outright. (The Charismatic movement is probably an exception to this, but I don't know much about it). Protestants (other than Lutherans and Episcopalians) do not believe in the real presence and, generally speaking, avoid a sacramental (i.e., a mystical) understanding of practices like baptism, marriage, etc.
In fact, it is this very lack of mysticism that is prompting me to leave Protestant Christianity for Orthodox Christianity. I think there is a place for the mystical in everyday Christian life, without being some hermit off in the woods.
Upvote
0
My understanding of mysticism fall into two classifications. One is designated false, the other true.Nirvana* said:
False mysticism is the theory that divine revelation isn't limited to the written Word of God, but that He bestows added truth to those who are adequately engaged by the Spirit to receive it.
True mysticism puts forth that all believers are indwelt by the Spirit and are therefore in a position to be enlightened by Him, but that there's only one complete revelation given, and the illuminating work of the Spirit will be confined to unveiling the Scriptures to the mind and heart.
In Christ,
Tracey
Upvote
0
I'd just like to recommend a great book on Christian mystics in history, especially since most of the people who have posted in this thread are women, and all the mystics in this book are women. It must be pertty good, since it is about 10 years old, and I can still find it on the shelves at my local Borders!
Enduring Grace
Enduring Grace
Upvote
0
Nirvana* said:
"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." (Col 2:18-19)
Upvote
0
- Status
Similar threads
