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Evangelical Resources on Mysticism

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Articles
  3. Books
  4. Websites
  5. Video
  6. Observations
    • The Role of Emotions in Spirituality
    • A Proper Attitude in Prayer
    • The Holy Spirit: Mystical Force or Comforter?
  7. Doxology: The Heart of Worship
  8. Conclusion

Introduction

"I am traveling down a long, straight path. There is nothing particularly compelling about it, other than the fact that it leads where I am heading. It seems to stretch forever, the same gray colors seem to blend into a drabness and boredom with no hope of change in sight.

"Suddenly I come to a split in the road. The same road continues straight into the distance, as gray and boring as ever. But curving to the left, I see something awe inspiring. The path is illuminated by a powerful golden light, and every rock and tree seem to crackle with life and a happiness that is unfathomable.

"Suddenly, I am reminded of Robert Frost's poem about the road less traveled. I look toward the spectacle of beauty before me, and then back at the doldrums of the old gray road, some dead leaves blowing in the wind. To the left is something fresh and wonderful; straight ahead is dreariness. The new road, with its curves and light, is very attractive.

"But I don't know the road; I don't know where it leads. It may take me miles out of the way of my destination. It would be a wondrous delight, at least it seems so from here. There really is no way to tell where a road will take you when you first start down it...

Such is the lure of mysticism. Wanderers throughout the mists of time have come this way before and stood perplexed by the choice. The promise of Higher Spirituality is inspiring, alluring many a traveler. But the road seemingly less traveled, the road of beauty, curves far away from where they really want to be.

Mysticism exists in a myriad of forms. Within Christianity, it is seen in Roman Catholic teachings, the 20th century Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions, and in the Quakers. In the great three monotheistic religions, it is seen in the practices of the Gnostic Christians, the Sufi Muslims, and the Kabalistic Jews. Outside of monotheism, mysticism expresses itself in the Western New Age movement, as well as the Eastern Buddhism and Hinduism, Yoga, and Native American spirituality.

The draw of the esoteric is powerful: an ecstatic spiritual experience connecting with the Ultimate in Divine Reality! But the alternative is equally possible and equally frightening: finding that esoterism is the ultimate in spiritual and mental bondage. Escaping the illusion of life becomes escaping everything in life that has any meaning. The rejection of the exoteric spiritual experience is the heart of esoterism.

Spirituality is like flying an aircraft. It is very easy to take off, but landing safely requires thousands of hours of training and skill. True spirituality must not merely take us to the highest heights of spiritual experience, but must bring us back safely to reality.

If you have comments, issues, or concerns, please email me directly: michaelh@ductape.net

Articles

Books

Critiques of Mysticism

Charismatic Spirituality

True Spirituality

Pro-Mysticism Literature

It would be difficult in so short a space to maintain a comprehensive list of authors that promote mystical techniques. However, I will list here some common ones:

Secular Philosophers

Roman Catholic Mystic Authors

"Evangelical" Mystic Authors

Please note that in listing these authors, I am not trying to be offensive. But just because an author is popular does not mean he is practicing true spirituality. Some people are offended when I tell them that one of their favorite spiritual authors is following a deeply anti-Christian and worldly philosophy. However, I consider the writings of these authors dangerous to the formation of a truly spiritual life, and indeed would highly discourage reading them devotionally. We must be careful never to set an author up so high that his writings become a spiritual idol seperating us for the pure spiritual Truth of God's Word.

Websites

Video

Observations

Doxology: The Heart of Worship

© Matt Redman

When the music fades,
All is stripped away, and I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear;
You're looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you
All about you Jesus.
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
All about you Jesus.

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve.
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is yours, every single breath.

I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear;
You're looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you
All about you Jesus.
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
All about you Jesus.

Conclusion

"There may still be some who, failing to grasp how close the relationship between God and His children is, will feel cheated if they do not have some subjective experience they can identify as the work of the Spirit. This yearning for the emotional element is likely the result of a history of mystically influenced teaching. It can not be justified on scriptural ground. Tragically, this desire for feelings is also a strong temptation to mysticism itself."

Arthur Johnson, Faith Misguided, p.148