Comments on: Mysticism, Part 2 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:01:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tina http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html#comment-25625 Tina Fri, 23 Mar 2007 04:03:53 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html#comment-25625 You are right on about the spiritual maturity part of mysticism. Dabbling in that before you are a mature disciple is like a baby trying to eat steak without teeth. So many writers of mysticism were men and women whose whole lives consisted of seeking and knowing God, day and and day out. They spoke clearly of the dangers of such practices...and warned of what to watch for. You have to be firmly rooted and extablished in Christ first. The purpose of mysticism is to know God in deeper, more intimate ways. But, like a relationship between a man and a woman, you have to start out dating, getting to know each other, eventual engagment, then marriage, then years of progressive intimacy. In that anaology, mysticism is a "raised our kids, worked our jobs, know each other better than we know ourselves" kind of practice. Thanks for all your great thoughts...very thought-inducing! You are right on about the spiritual maturity part of mysticism. Dabbling in that before you are a mature disciple is like a baby trying to eat steak without teeth. So many writers of mysticism were men and women whose whole lives consisted of seeking and knowing God, day and and day out. They spoke clearly of the dangers of such practices…and warned of what to watch for. You have to be firmly rooted and extablished in Christ first. The purpose of mysticism is to know God in deeper, more intimate ways. But, like a relationship between a man and a woman, you have to start out dating, getting to know each other, eventual engagment, then marriage, then years of progressive intimacy. In that anaology, mysticism is a “raised our kids, worked our jobs, know each other better than we know ourselves” kind of practice.

Thanks for all your great thoughts…very thought-inducing!

]]> By: Diane Roberts http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html#comment-25623 Diane Roberts Fri, 23 Mar 2007 02:16:06 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html#comment-25623 OK..you've redeemed yourself in Part 2...LOL I think one of the problems I have is the name--Christian mysticism. There must be a better name for what you described here. Perhaps just the work of the Holy Spirit and let's drop the "mysticism" part? OK..you’ve redeemed yourself in Part 2…LOL I think one of the problems I have is the name–Christian mysticism. There must be a better name for what you described here. Perhaps just the work of the Holy Spirit and let’s drop the “mysticism” part?

]]> By: Peter Smythe http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html#comment-25619 Peter Smythe Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:53:09 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html#comment-25619 Dan, two comments. First, if you look through the Book of Acts, the gifts of the Spirit operated only with or through the five-fold ministry except for two occasions. That should provide the Body with guidance that, although we are all united in Christ, God still recognizes ministers of his own choosing for the gifts to flow. Second, looking at the life of Jesus and then at the disciples, you leave with the frame of mind that God works hand in hand in getting the Gospel out. Personally, I do not see any experiences in the Word happening for the purpose of "personal growth." Thanks for the essay. Dan, two comments. First, if you look through the Book of Acts, the gifts of the Spirit operated only with or through the five-fold ministry except for two occasions. That should provide the Body with guidance that, although we are all united in Christ, God still recognizes ministers of his own choosing for the gifts to flow. Second, looking at the life of Jesus and then at the disciples, you leave with the frame of mind that God works hand in hand in getting the Gospel out. Personally, I do not see any experiences in the Word happening for the purpose of “personal growth.”

Thanks for the essay.

]]> By: Cerulean Sanctum » Mysticism, Part 1 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html#comment-25616 Cerulean Sanctum » Mysticism, Part 1 Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:43:50 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/03/mysticism-part-2.html#comment-25616 [...] Mysticism, Part 2 [...]

[...] Mysticism, Part 2 [...]

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