The Influence of Mysticism: The Elephant in the Room
How is it that the Church today have been influence by mysticism? First, before I begin to probe into the matter as to how contemporary evangelicalism have been influenced by mysticism and those who are proponents of such mystical theology is to give a clear cut definition of mysticism. Let's take for example according to Colossians 2:18 where the apostle Paul says, "Let no one beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels intruding into those things which they have seen being vainly puffed up by their own fleshly mind." First, the apostle Paul begin by paraphrasing Colossians 2:18 where it says, "Let no man cheat you of your reward in a voluntary humility, and worshipping of angelic being or divine personage by intruding into those things which they have not seen being vainly puffed up by their carnal minds." When it comes to the meaning of mysticism is that of some spiritual awe by the mystic's entertaining such divine personage by which they worship as if based upon their so-called revelatory knowledge ("gnosis") that it is proof of humility, but, it is based upon such false humility. They claim to have seen something in the spirit world by which they are prideful or self-conceited through their own "fleshly" mind. The influence of mysticism and that of mystic theology is the "Elephant in the Room" by which the "inexperience" and naïve of believer are inconspicuous of the dangers of Gnosticism (2 Cor. 11:3). The basic belief of neo-Gnosticism is that, "Spirit is good; flesh is evil." Many professing Christians believe that when it comes to epistemology of knowledge ("gnosis') and experience is that it runs counterproductive to the "ordinary of believer or that of the "traditional" churches or institutional religion is there understanding of the "letter" of the law by which the Church as a whole possess not the spirit. It is the spirit by which the transcendent God gives the Church special "knowledge" or revelation in order that they can understand the deep mysteries of God by which it transcendent such Sense Rule Knowledge.
Throughout this article I will begin to address how that mysticism has in fact greatly influenced contemporary evangelicals and the necessity to give a clear cut definition of exactly the meaning of mysticism. It is true that the influence of mysticism and mystical theology has in fact "infected" the Church today by which it has left the church in spiritual "ruin." (2 Tim. 2:17-18) Instead of the Church being the church so as to its foundation as Christ being the Head of the church and the Savior of the body is that many "Christian" mystics have created a "cosmic" Christ by which they deny Jesus as the Christ of scripture (1 Jn. 4:1-2). The "Christ" of scripture is not the mystical Christ, but, that Jesus Christ is God revealed in human flesh. For Gnostics to deny the full humanity and deity of Jesus Christ that the apostle John call this the spirit of antichrist by which there are many antichrist that are in the world. There is a progressive of mysticism and that of mystical theology that seek to compete with that of the Church's faith (i.e. deity of Christ) so as to appear that it is agree with that of the Church's teaching, but, at the same time seek to undermine that of the true faith by which to ruin that of the moral lives of God's people (2 Tim. 2:17, 18). It is very important that the Church know how mysticism has greatly influence that of the church so as to counteract the intrusion of mysticism and mystical theology.
First, how is it that the Church today have been influence by mysticism? There are many ways by which the Church have been influence by mysticism, but, its overarching theme is, "We Must Change The Way We Do Church." There are many professing Christians who challenge that of the traditional biblical Christianity and the historic Christian church to change the way it believe, that of its worship, and how to live life that will reflect that of the culture. The way by which Gnostics strike a death blow at contemporary evangelicalism in how they view that of the Bible: that of the "authority and inspiration of scripture (2 Tim. 3:15, 16). When it comes to the Church's understanding of the nature of the authority of the Bible is that scripture is complete in and of itself. It is the basis of which we ought to believe and live our lives as God's people. When it comes to the divine inspiration of the Bible is that every word of scripture is divinely inspired by God: that is God is the Author of scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). The God of scripture utilize "holy" men of God who were under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). They were not stenographers nor were they "dictated" by God to write what they wrote. They wrote what God intended for them to write, but, they were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration.
When it comes to "how" the Church has been influence by mysticism as it relates to that of scripture: that of the mystic's interpretation of the Bible so as to interpret God's Word from the viewpoint of the "Christian" mystic worldview (Col. 2:8). The system of neo-Gnosticism interpretation of the Bible is interpret from a allegorical standpoint: that is when it comes to the God of creation, creation account, and that of its historical narrative and characters of the Bible is to create such a "mystical" scheme to fit within the theological structure of Gnosticism. The God of creation is a evil Creator, the creation account is that creation itself imprisoned in a fallen world, the historical narrative is crafted by some "gnostic" story, and the characters of the Bible are not "literal" historical characters of the Bible, but, are symbols of what is symbolic characters. So, when it comes to the authority of scripture, the theistic God of the Bible, and historical biblical characters of the Bible so as to its "spiritual" or allegorical that many Gnostics given many of the biblical themes of the Bible such "bad" character. The narrative of Gnosticism have that of its own "narrative" as to its benign narrative by which it falls short of the true biblical narrative of the Bible.
There is a progression as to "how" contemporary evangelicalism have been influence by mysticism by which many "Christian" mystics have truncate that of the Bible by denying that of its divine authority and inspiration of scripture. Many professing Christians seek to "plummet" that of the literal meaning of the Bible to seek some "deeper" meaning by which they claim to read into the mind and heart of God as if they know exactly what God is thinking. There is both a antagonistic attitude and cynicism perpetuated by Gnostics within the professing church today. In order to rip off the face of neo-Gnosticism or Gnostics in the professing church today is to know the history, language, beliefs, and values of mysticism in light of historical biblical theology and the narrative of scripture. Also, many Gnostics within the professing church today will utilize at will that of the language of the Church, but, have radically different meanings by which to fit within the cultural context of the mystic's worldview.
In order to give a clear cut definition of mysticism is that of such spiritual "awe" through the mystic's entertaining such divine personage by which they worship as if it is based upon their so-called revelatory knowledge ("gnosis") which is proof of humility, but, it is based upon such "false" humility. What is spiritual "awe?" What is the mystic's object of worship? What is the revelatory knowledge ("gnosis") of many Gnostics within the professing church today? Does does "special" knowledge or "gnosis" based upon the mystic's proof of humility? or it is based upon such "false" humility?
First, when it comes to the mystic's spiritual "awe" of adoration and adulation is to worship the "god" within their own human spirit. In so many words, "truth comes from within; not from without." The mystic's source of authority as it relates to "truth" from within their human spirit is based upon such knowledge and experience. We talk about the epistemology of knowledge ("gnosis") and experience ("god" within) as to the mystic's beliefs and values. Mysticism beliefs and values is based upon such worldview by which it is diametrically oppose to the Christian worldview. The Christian worldview is that (1) the Church's knowledge of God is rooted in scripture. And (2) the verification and vindication of what is to be experience by the church is what is observable, verified truth based upon the objectivity of the written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Subjectivity, pragmatism, and postmodernism is the foundation head of theological mysticism.
There are "Christian" mystics within contemporary evangelicalism claim to have entertain such divine being or personage ("appearance of Jesus") as if they have had a conversation with God by which it is a personification of a fallen angel or demon. The typical statement of many Gnostics today, "Around about 3:00 in the morning they saw the "appearance" of Jesus appeared by sitting in their favorite rocking chair. My hair stood up upon my head, I begin to sweat, and have chill bumps over my body as I begin to have a "conversation" of Jesus. I find myself standing before the church telling them of this wonderful experience by having a conversation with Jesus." What is most problematic and disturbing about many "Christian" mystics who claim to have a "conversation" with Jesus is that (1) the experience of many mystics are not factual nor does it validate their "truth" claim based upon the content of biblical truth. And, also (2) that the experience of the the mystic's own experience is to convince the Church that what they experience is what they experience without any verification based upon the content of biblical truth. It is very unfortunate that the "inexperience" and naive of believers are not able to detect the dangerous implication of those who claim to have seen something when they ain't seen nothing. It is based upon their own vain imagination by which it does not edify the church today. Edification is based upon the knowledge of God's Word; not the subjectivity of experience by which many mystics claim to have experience (Col. 2:18). The personality DNA of many professing Christians who claim to entertain such "angelic" beings or divine personage is that of narcissism, sociopath, and psychopath by which they are steep into deception and hallucination. It is difficult for mystics to break the chains of mysticism or the mystic's experience based upon such irrationality, deception, and disillusionment.
The revelation-knowledge of mystics within the professing church today is to also claim such true humility, but, it is based upon such false humility. Many Gnostics take pride in the superiority of such revelatory knowledge. Such "special" knowledge or "gnosis" separates the "Christian" mystic from ordinary believers who possess such sensory knowledge. Most Gnostics consider themselves as being "spiritual," as oppose to the traditional church or organized religion as "unspiritual" or carnal. They are the spiritually "initiate" while the ordinary believer is the "psyche" ("soul") when it comes to epistemology of knowledge and the mystic's experience. In so many words many Gnostics claim to possess such "true" spiritual knowledge ("gnosis") by which the Church possess such "fleshly knowledge. In order to turn the table on the head of many Gnostics in the professing church today is that they possess such "fleshly" knowledge; the Church possess such "true" spiritual knowledge (Col. 1:9-10 in contrast to Col. 2:18). Also, many Gnostics claim to have seen something when they ain't seen nothing.
There is in fact the "elephant" in the room by which either the Church are ignorant and unaware of or that they arbitrary deny the reality of the influence of mysticism by which the church have in fact been tremendously influenced. The "infection" of neo-Gnosticism have also in fact weaken that of the theological-moral wings of the Church today (2 Tim. 2:17, 18). In order for the Church to be proactive and counterproductive of the intrusion of neo-Gnosticism within that of evangelicalism is to call it by name and for what it truly is: that is how it utilize the "language" of the church, to compete with the Church's teaching (i.e. "Christ"), and its radical "redefinition" of biblical terminology so as to undermine the faith and life of the Church today. We must model that of the Bereans in that "they searched the scripture daily to see if those things were so." (Acts 17:11; 1 Jn. 4:1)
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the best-selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From?: Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" He is the Podcast Host of, "Ask Darryl" which airs regularly 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
Throughout this article I will begin to address how that mysticism has in fact greatly influenced contemporary evangelicals and the necessity to give a clear cut definition of exactly the meaning of mysticism. It is true that the influence of mysticism and mystical theology has in fact "infected" the Church today by which it has left the church in spiritual "ruin." (2 Tim. 2:17-18) Instead of the Church being the church so as to its foundation as Christ being the Head of the church and the Savior of the body is that many "Christian" mystics have created a "cosmic" Christ by which they deny Jesus as the Christ of scripture (1 Jn. 4:1-2). The "Christ" of scripture is not the mystical Christ, but, that Jesus Christ is God revealed in human flesh. For Gnostics to deny the full humanity and deity of Jesus Christ that the apostle John call this the spirit of antichrist by which there are many antichrist that are in the world. There is a progressive of mysticism and that of mystical theology that seek to compete with that of the Church's faith (i.e. deity of Christ) so as to appear that it is agree with that of the Church's teaching, but, at the same time seek to undermine that of the true faith by which to ruin that of the moral lives of God's people (2 Tim. 2:17, 18). It is very important that the Church know how mysticism has greatly influence that of the church so as to counteract the intrusion of mysticism and mystical theology.
First, how is it that the Church today have been influence by mysticism? There are many ways by which the Church have been influence by mysticism, but, its overarching theme is, "We Must Change The Way We Do Church." There are many professing Christians who challenge that of the traditional biblical Christianity and the historic Christian church to change the way it believe, that of its worship, and how to live life that will reflect that of the culture. The way by which Gnostics strike a death blow at contemporary evangelicalism in how they view that of the Bible: that of the "authority and inspiration of scripture (2 Tim. 3:15, 16). When it comes to the Church's understanding of the nature of the authority of the Bible is that scripture is complete in and of itself. It is the basis of which we ought to believe and live our lives as God's people. When it comes to the divine inspiration of the Bible is that every word of scripture is divinely inspired by God: that is God is the Author of scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). The God of scripture utilize "holy" men of God who were under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). They were not stenographers nor were they "dictated" by God to write what they wrote. They wrote what God intended for them to write, but, they were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration.
When it comes to "how" the Church has been influence by mysticism as it relates to that of scripture: that of the mystic's interpretation of the Bible so as to interpret God's Word from the viewpoint of the "Christian" mystic worldview (Col. 2:8). The system of neo-Gnosticism interpretation of the Bible is interpret from a allegorical standpoint: that is when it comes to the God of creation, creation account, and that of its historical narrative and characters of the Bible is to create such a "mystical" scheme to fit within the theological structure of Gnosticism. The God of creation is a evil Creator, the creation account is that creation itself imprisoned in a fallen world, the historical narrative is crafted by some "gnostic" story, and the characters of the Bible are not "literal" historical characters of the Bible, but, are symbols of what is symbolic characters. So, when it comes to the authority of scripture, the theistic God of the Bible, and historical biblical characters of the Bible so as to its "spiritual" or allegorical that many Gnostics given many of the biblical themes of the Bible such "bad" character. The narrative of Gnosticism have that of its own "narrative" as to its benign narrative by which it falls short of the true biblical narrative of the Bible.
There is a progression as to "how" contemporary evangelicalism have been influence by mysticism by which many "Christian" mystics have truncate that of the Bible by denying that of its divine authority and inspiration of scripture. Many professing Christians seek to "plummet" that of the literal meaning of the Bible to seek some "deeper" meaning by which they claim to read into the mind and heart of God as if they know exactly what God is thinking. There is both a antagonistic attitude and cynicism perpetuated by Gnostics within the professing church today. In order to rip off the face of neo-Gnosticism or Gnostics in the professing church today is to know the history, language, beliefs, and values of mysticism in light of historical biblical theology and the narrative of scripture. Also, many Gnostics within the professing church today will utilize at will that of the language of the Church, but, have radically different meanings by which to fit within the cultural context of the mystic's worldview.
In order to give a clear cut definition of mysticism is that of such spiritual "awe" through the mystic's entertaining such divine personage by which they worship as if it is based upon their so-called revelatory knowledge ("gnosis") which is proof of humility, but, it is based upon such "false" humility. What is spiritual "awe?" What is the mystic's object of worship? What is the revelatory knowledge ("gnosis") of many Gnostics within the professing church today? Does does "special" knowledge or "gnosis" based upon the mystic's proof of humility? or it is based upon such "false" humility?
First, when it comes to the mystic's spiritual "awe" of adoration and adulation is to worship the "god" within their own human spirit. In so many words, "truth comes from within; not from without." The mystic's source of authority as it relates to "truth" from within their human spirit is based upon such knowledge and experience. We talk about the epistemology of knowledge ("gnosis") and experience ("god" within) as to the mystic's beliefs and values. Mysticism beliefs and values is based upon such worldview by which it is diametrically oppose to the Christian worldview. The Christian worldview is that (1) the Church's knowledge of God is rooted in scripture. And (2) the verification and vindication of what is to be experience by the church is what is observable, verified truth based upon the objectivity of the written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Subjectivity, pragmatism, and postmodernism is the foundation head of theological mysticism.
There are "Christian" mystics within contemporary evangelicalism claim to have entertain such divine being or personage ("appearance of Jesus") as if they have had a conversation with God by which it is a personification of a fallen angel or demon. The typical statement of many Gnostics today, "Around about 3:00 in the morning they saw the "appearance" of Jesus appeared by sitting in their favorite rocking chair. My hair stood up upon my head, I begin to sweat, and have chill bumps over my body as I begin to have a "conversation" of Jesus. I find myself standing before the church telling them of this wonderful experience by having a conversation with Jesus." What is most problematic and disturbing about many "Christian" mystics who claim to have a "conversation" with Jesus is that (1) the experience of many mystics are not factual nor does it validate their "truth" claim based upon the content of biblical truth. And, also (2) that the experience of the the mystic's own experience is to convince the Church that what they experience is what they experience without any verification based upon the content of biblical truth. It is very unfortunate that the "inexperience" and naive of believers are not able to detect the dangerous implication of those who claim to have seen something when they ain't seen nothing. It is based upon their own vain imagination by which it does not edify the church today. Edification is based upon the knowledge of God's Word; not the subjectivity of experience by which many mystics claim to have experience (Col. 2:18). The personality DNA of many professing Christians who claim to entertain such "angelic" beings or divine personage is that of narcissism, sociopath, and psychopath by which they are steep into deception and hallucination. It is difficult for mystics to break the chains of mysticism or the mystic's experience based upon such irrationality, deception, and disillusionment.
The revelation-knowledge of mystics within the professing church today is to also claim such true humility, but, it is based upon such false humility. Many Gnostics take pride in the superiority of such revelatory knowledge. Such "special" knowledge or "gnosis" separates the "Christian" mystic from ordinary believers who possess such sensory knowledge. Most Gnostics consider themselves as being "spiritual," as oppose to the traditional church or organized religion as "unspiritual" or carnal. They are the spiritually "initiate" while the ordinary believer is the "psyche" ("soul") when it comes to epistemology of knowledge and the mystic's experience. In so many words many Gnostics claim to possess such "true" spiritual knowledge ("gnosis") by which the Church possess such "fleshly knowledge. In order to turn the table on the head of many Gnostics in the professing church today is that they possess such "fleshly" knowledge; the Church possess such "true" spiritual knowledge (Col. 1:9-10 in contrast to Col. 2:18). Also, many Gnostics claim to have seen something when they ain't seen nothing.
There is in fact the "elephant" in the room by which either the Church are ignorant and unaware of or that they arbitrary deny the reality of the influence of mysticism by which the church have in fact been tremendously influenced. The "infection" of neo-Gnosticism have also in fact weaken that of the theological-moral wings of the Church today (2 Tim. 2:17, 18). In order for the Church to be proactive and counterproductive of the intrusion of neo-Gnosticism within that of evangelicalism is to call it by name and for what it truly is: that is how it utilize the "language" of the church, to compete with the Church's teaching (i.e. "Christ"), and its radical "redefinition" of biblical terminology so as to undermine the faith and life of the Church today. We must model that of the Bereans in that "they searched the scripture daily to see if those things were so." (Acts 17:11; 1 Jn. 4:1)
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the best-selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From?: Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" He is the Podcast Host of, "Ask Darryl" which airs regularly 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
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