Christian mysticism involves the pursuit of communion with, or conscious awareness of, the Christian God through direct experience, insight or intuition, generally focusing around the practices necessary to nurture these experiences, such as deep prayer, meditation or contemplation of the person of Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit.
Christian mysticism differs from other forms of Christianity in that its aim is to achieve unity with the divine, or learning how to think like Christ. Christian mystics tend to elevate experiential knowledge, to savor the mysterious, and to focus on mysticism as the path to spiritual growth.
The term is used differently today than it was in the early years of Christianity. Originally, mysticism referred to experiencing God in depth through contemplation, and through a deep love relationship transcending human reason. Early Christian mysticism addressed three dimensions, the biblical, the liturgical, and the spiritual. An allegorical interpretation of the Scriptures was the biblical dimension, the Eucharist was the liturgical, and the spiritual dealt with a contemplative or experiential knowledge of God.
This type of Christian mysticism was seen primarily in the writings of Origen, but other early Christian mystics included Clement of Alexandria, Augustine of Hippo, John Cassian, and Maximus the Confessor. The non-canonical Gospel of Thomas and the Secret Gospel of Mark also included early Christian mysticism.
The Middle Ages included Gregory the Great, Barnard of Clairvaux, Hildegard of Bingen, and the Victorines, a monastic school of philosophers and mystics.
The Protestant Reformation discouraged mysticism. Both Martin Luther and John Calvin recommended doctrinal knowledge over affective experience and, as a result, Protestant theologians turned away from the mystic traditions of the Middle Ages, and critical of the growing mysticism in the Catholic Church as a result of the Counter-Reformation.
Today, while elements of mysticism can be found in the Anglicans, Charismatics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, and Quakers, mysticism is generally seen in churches on the fringe, often self-identifying as Christian Mystic churches, with the emphasis on mysticism.
To the Christian mystic, mysticism implies a living spirituality, intimacy with God, and a life that is centered on an appreciation of the Spirit of the Word, and its ability to heal and transform lives. To the mainstream Christian, it might mean a religion that is not grounded in the Word of God, and one that is based on emotion rather than fact.
The roots of Christian mysticism are found in the Bible itself. For example, the words of the Apostle John, in his Gospel, written for "those who have eyes to see" is a mystical message. In fact, the teaching that most Christians would agree with, that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, is a mystical concept. Furthermore, the idea that Jesus is literally one with God, a Trinity of persons who share a divine Unity, is also a mystical teaching.
Christian mysticism is not the same as the wisdom teachings found in the Eastern religions, or in pagan religions elsewhere around the world, but elements of these teachings have found their way into Christianity from time to time.
Clement and Origin embraced some of the teachings of the Greek philosophers, while the druidic teachings found their way into Christian monasteries in Ireland. In Spain, Christians incorporated elements of the Kabbalah.
20th-century Christians have also reached out to other cultures and traditions. The Benedictine monk, Bede Griffiths, embraced Vedanta, while the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, integrated Buddhist practices into his Christian walk. Many of these practices exist within the framework of traditional Catholicism, or one of several Protestant denominations, but several other churches have been developed, generally independent in nature, which could be said to be more mystical than Christian.
These churches and associations would be appropriate for this category, as would a website that explores the mystical side of any Christian religion or practice. When determining whether a site belongs in this category or in that of an established Christian church, determine whether the focus of the site is denominational or on the mysticism. When the focus of a site is on mysticism within the framework of Christianity, then it is appropriate for this category.
In most cases, when a site represents a Christian church, it should be submitted to an appropriate category in the Christianity section of World Religions. However, if the church identifies its theology as Christian mysticism, then this might be the right category.
Sites that concentrate on Early Christian mysticism may also be submitted to this category.
Recommended Resources
Christian Mystics are more concerned with the Spirit of the Word than with the letter of the Scriptures, according to this guide to Christian Mysticism. Poetry, quotations, and recommendations for books, videos, downloads, and other resources are set forth, and the site's partners are acknowledged. Information on traditional and contemporary Christian Mystics and Mystic groups are included.
http://christianmystics.com/
Written by Pastor Daryl Hilbert, and published by the Christian Research Service, the article is an outline of Christian Mysticism, including an introduction to Christian Mysticism, its headings being Mystical Experience, Christian Mysticism, and Gnostic Mysticism, and examples of Christian Mysticism, including Pseudo-Dionysius, Bernard of Clairvaux, St. John of the Cross, Ignatius Loyola, and other ancient Christian Mystics, as well as contemporary examples.
http://www.christianresearchservice.com/christian-mysticism/
Chuck Dunning, who defines himself as a liberal, a progressive, and a Christian existentialist, who has been a mystic since his mid-20s. His site includes articles on Christian Mysticism, on meditation, intercessory prayer, and growing in the love of Jesus. Also included are book recommended by the site author, as ones that he has read and found valuable, and an overview of the Shrine to the Holy Sophia, personification of the Holy Spirit.
http://mysticwayoftheheart.com/
The Christian spiritual Order seeks to create peace on earth through developing each individual's personal inner experience of peace, one person at a time, and by encouraging conscious communities shepherded by priests and teachers, and through spiritual schools of the Order of Christ/Sophia, known as Centers of Light. Its mission, schools, and fundraising initiatives are set forth, along with a directory of Centers of Light.
http://www.orderofchristsophia.org/
Part of Sophia Wisdom Centers, the non-profit Christian organization offers classes, workshops, and summer retreats for topics related to Christian Mysticism, which uses metaphysical formulas to uncover patterns in creation that illuminate the nature of God, applying these formulas, which may include sacraments, devotion, prayer, and meditation, to build transformative experiences of God's realities within.
http://orderofthemysticalchrist.org/
A commentary on the mystical philosophy of Saint John of the Cross, a Roman Catholic Saint, Carmelite friar and priest, and Spanish mystic. The site includes the text of the book by that name, written by Geoffrey K. Mondello, available in print form from Amazon, or downloadable in PDF or Microsoft Word format. Included is a preface, foreward, introduction, biography of St. John of the Cross, and epilogue, as well as the main text of the work, sorted by chapter.
http://www.johnofthecross.com/
Formed in Chicago in 2012, the Mystical Church of Christ offers weekly classes and services teaching Christ Consciousness, in Chicago, Illinois and in Charleston, South Carolina, which is defined as the conscious awareness of Christ as an inner Presence and the source of love, light, and life, using meditation, devotion, and the study of the Gospels. Its locations, schedules, and ministries are outlined.
https://www.mysticalchurchofchrist.org/
The School of Christian Mysticism
Located somewhere in the United Kingdom, the school offers courses, retreats, group programs, and workshops for experienced practitioners and beginners, and which are open to Christians and non-Christians alike. Teachers and directors are introduced, with an overview of its programs, as well as a sample practice of meditation that can be used, audio recordings of prayers, meditations, poems, music, and lessons.
https://www.schoolofchristianmysticism.co.uk/
Affiliated with the World Community for Christian Meditation, the company offers courses on the roots of Christian Mysticism, an introduction to Christian meditation, and instruction on the basics of meditation, as well as courses, retreats, seminars, and workshops conducted in more than sixty countries Also included are resources covering a range of topics within the field of meditation and mysticism. Schedules, fees, and contacts are noted.
https://www.theschoolofmeditation.org/
Defining himself as a practical mystic, passionate writer, paltry poet, and an old-school Jesus Freak, the author, who goes by the name Yahoo, discusses his book, "What if Christians Grew Up?," which is available in e-Book format, as well as in print. Also included is an introduction to Christian Mysticism and several articles on related topics, contemporary events and news items relating to the church, and other topics.
https://www.yaholo.net/
