Can We Trust the Mystics and Prophets?

Last updated on: November 3, 2024 at 12:54 pm by Dorian Scott Cole

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Can We Trust the Mystics and Prophets? 2024-11-03T12:54:01-06:00 Dorian Scott Cole

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Spirituality series

As explained in my previous article on Discerning Truth in a World of Spiritual Ideas, we know that every individual has some ability to transcend their physical boundaries. But the accuracy of information may be questionable. Many people have really good mystical abilities.

Mysticism concerns the preparation of the person for, the consciousness and the effect of a direct and transformative presence of God or divine love through contemplative practices.

Sometimes we get bogged down in the details and miss the point. For example, we had a Siamese cat that was a cross between a blue point and a seal point. It was a “What’s the point?”

Transcendent, mystic, from Woman In Red Dress on Pickpic, CC0 License. Modified by Dorian Scott Cole

Reference verse:

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ ….”
– 2 Corinthians 10:5

How does the church view mysticism?

Both Catholics and Protestants consider Christian mysticism to be valid additions to their faith. Catholics have a long tradition with mystics. Protestants lean more toward doctrine but at minimum tolerate mystics. Quakers, Anglicans, Methodists,Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Local Churches, Pentecostals, Adventists, and Charismatics have in various ways remained open to the idea of mystical experiences.

The Catholic Church views mysticism as a union with Christ through the sacraments and the Holy Trinity, and a participation in the mystery of Christ. The Church also teaches that God calls all people to this union, but only some are given special graces or signs of this mystical life.

The famous Baptist preacher, C.H. Spurgeon, was considered a mystic. “Baptists are certainly resistant to esoteric spirituality, and dismissive of gnostic claims to special extra-biblical revelation. We are deeply committed to a biblically shaped faith and experience,” as mentioned on Living Witily.

Contemplation drives mysticism

Contemplative practices range from simple prayerful meditation of holy scripture (i.e. Lectio Divina) to contemplation on the presence of God, resulting in theosis (spiritual union with God) and ecstatic visions of the soul’s mystical union with God.

Three stages are discerned in contemplative practice, namely catharsis (purification), contemplation proper, and the vision of God.

This is probably different from what I do and many other religious people do. I focus on or “contemplate” certain aspects of Biblical thought or questions, and hope for divine leadership in my research. At some point things rationally and intuitively make sense and stand up to strict analysis using love as the standard. I don’t consider this mystical.

The value in mysticism

Is there any real value in mystical experiences and knowledge? If these are about knowledge, then secret knowledge that is only available to a few is viewed with disdain by Christianity. It’s Gnosticism. Christianity is about emulating divine love. It’s active. It’s not about knowledge.

I have conversations with cats. I learn very little from them. We have two new kittens. The conversation goes like this when they try to get on the table to sample our food:

Me: I don’t share food with cats. Do I go to your food bowl and eat?

The cat keeps coming toward my plate.

I put the cat on the floor.

Me: No kitties on tables.

Cat: But food.

The cat circles the table and comes up again.