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For those interested, I thought I'd post this rather eloquent explanation of what, exactly, defines a Christian mystic:
Moderator cut: edit for copyright
"As with any religion, there are two types found within Christianity. The first is the tribal member. He or she favors a literal, concrete reading of Christianity, asserting that God is a judge with a rule book. Those who don’t play for “our team” are damned to eternity, and it can be our job to help them along the way to that end.
The second person is concerned not with knowing the rules and dogma, but with knowing the Mystery itself, which is to say living from within the experience of that Mystery. This is the search for and experience of that connection to and affirmation of God’s Presence on an ongoing basis."
"As with any religion, there are two types found within Christianity. The first is the tribal member. He or she favors a literal, concrete reading of Christianity, asserting that God is a judge with a rule book. Those who don’t play for “our team” are damned to eternity, and it can be our job to help them along the way to that end.
To be fair - most 'tribal' believers in this day and age want everyone to be saved. They just accept that most will not - but they DO have a genuine desire to see good things happen to all - even their enemies.
This is a giant leap forward from the mid-evil days. Very encouraging to me.
Yes, there is a fringe Fred Phelps element out there too, but it's not predominant.
I do agree with your basic premise but wanted to point out the progress humanity (by the grace of God) has made.
The spirituality OF Jesus has become the religion ABOUT Jesus, and a Christian mystic seeks a return to the origins of what it was to hear Jesus and to move beyond Jesus, as he asked us to do, to that to which he was pointing with his stories, teachings, words and life.
Interesting that this apostasy points out the stories, teachings, and words from his life (presumably from the Bible which they give no authority), yet they call him a liar by not believing His words of salvation, redemption from sin, resurrection, and most importantly, His deity.
Thanks for posting this as it further denotes how apostate CM/CSM is.
Neither Blue Fly nor carolina guy correctly represent or characterize Christian Mysticism, Alpha. Feel free to judge it using their presentations . . . but it is error nonetheless. Fundamentalism and magical beliefs are pure error, as well, and will lead to many surprised and disappointed individuals who do not embody Love of God and each other, IMO. Jesus is the Way . . . but SAYING it and incorporating it into your life are two very different things. There are those who SAY it and do NOT have Jesus's love in their hearts . . . and there are those who DON'T SAY it and DO have Jesus's love in their hearts.
Neither Blue Fly nor carolina guy correctly represent or characterize Christian Mysticism, Alpha. Feel free to judge it using their presentations . . . but it is error nonetheless. Fundamentalism and magical beliefs are pure error, as well, and will lead to many surprised and disappointed individuals who do not embody Love of God and each other, IMO. Jesus is the Way . . . but SAYING it and incorporating it into your life are two very different things. There are those who SAY it and do NOT have Jesus's love in their hearts . . . and there are those who DON'T SAY it and DO have Jesus's love in their hearts.
I understand your POV. I'm not basing my opinions on carolina_guy and certainly not Bluefly. I'm basing my comments solely on the link Bluefly posted.
"As with any religion, there are two types found within Christianity. The first is the tribal member. He or she favors a literal, concrete reading of Christianity, asserting that God is a judge with a rule book. Those who don’t play for “our team” are damned to eternity, and it can be our job to help them along the way to that end.
The second person is concerned not with knowing the rules and dogma, but with knowing the Mystery itself, which is to say living from within the experience of that Mystery. This is the search for and experience of that connection to and affirmation of God’s Presence on an ongoing basis."
It is true that there have always been two ditches available for those who trust in their own understanding, and are not experiencing the joyful, abundant relationship with God that comes about through faith and submission to Him and His Word.
For those interested, I thought I'd post this rather eloquent explanation of what, exactly, defines a Christian mystic:
Moderator cut: edit for copyright
"As with any religion, there are two types found within Christianity. The first is the tribal member. He or she favors a literal, concrete reading of Christianity, asserting that God is a judge with a rule book. Those who don’t play for “our team” are damned to eternity, and it can be our job to help them along the way to that end.
The second person is concerned not with knowing the rules and dogma, but with knowing the Mystery itself, which is to say living from within the experience of that Mystery. This is the search for and experience of that connection to and affirmation of God’s Presence on an ongoing basis."
the quoted section misses those that are concerned with rules and regulations, but don't think that the bible is 100% literal. there is a group in the middle--in fact, there might be more than just those three, but i have yet to be aware of others.
A christian mystic....that is an oxymoron isn't it?
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