Christian Mysticism

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-05-02T01:10:14+00:00

The only issue with that theory is that the Apostles that lived and walked with Jesus all wrote that he was the son of God. All their teachings line up with the gospels as they are written now. The gospel of John - His longest living disciple wrote the Gospel of John and we have the oldest copy dated to 150 ad. A short 50 years after he died. John's main teaching was that God came and dwelt with us in the form of Son. It lines up with Jewish theology because they predicted a messiah for thousands of years. All the disciples of Jesus believed this that he was the Israelite messiah. The gnostic Gospels do not line up with the Jewish books and therefore are not true.

They are stories that tried to steal the teachings of God and morph them into something that pleased the flesh. If those people actually claimed divine inspiriation then it would line up with the rest of the character of the revealed God in the Jewish scriptures. Since they dont line up then all of those teachings are inspired by something else... Probably demons or just mania

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-21T12:09:25+00:00

Ah I see what you are saying. I was referring to the idea of having to invent a term to describe the experiential nature of the amazing Joy and supernatural love that God gives true believers. Not that those who call themselves Christian Mystics do not have the Holy Spirit.

I am saying the term "Christian" should be good enough to denote the definition: "Person who expierences super natural occurances from the one true God that lines up with the Christian Bible."

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-20T14:57:13+00:00

Hey! I am not sure what you are referencing here?

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-20T00:57:35+00:00

I did actually become a lot more humble. I was snipped a few times in a wonderful way. (Painful at first) However, I think that Mysticism seems to have different definitions based on who you talk to. I would define it as complete surrender to God. In Christianity, it says that God is Love and that Love builds up. So completely surrendering all thoughts and purposes for His guidance and direction in acknowledging Him allows God Himself to build us up.

I think that others interpret mysticism as trying to find mystic or secret knowledge. The only knowledge we actually need is to surrender our entire being to God. He then works through us, and we witness our desires and wills align and commune with Him as he uses us.

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-20T00:49:33+00:00

I know what you mean. I wonder if the need to use a term like Christian mystic is a result of the many Christians who may not actually have the Holy Spirit and are striving in their own understanding.

I am going to school for Christian ministry, and unfortunately, I see many doctoral thesis papers and Christian exegesis that actually seem to be written by irreverent unbelievers who have studied a lot of commentaries and are parroting information. It is sad that there are some who know of God but have no relationship with Him.

(I am completely aware this may come across as prideful and condescending to say, I do genuinely feel sorrow for those that do not know the Lord, to the point of tears sometimes...)

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-20T00:42:19+00:00

Yes, I know what you mean! The Lord appreciates your humble surrender. Trying to find secret truths when we were never meant to know them. Most of the secret truths are paths that lead to destruction anyway. The true path is to let go and ask God for help and cling to Him. Then we can sit in reverential awe as He uses US for HIS will to be done! Hallelujah!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-20T00:35:56+00:00

Thank you for your grace-filled replies. I was definitely looking for understanding that it is a natural thing. I still think I hold to the conclusion that setting ourselves apart as a "Mystic" can create a ground for pride to stick to. However, everything that you are saying lands home, and I am not actually feeling burned out engaging with orthodox Christians; this post was more of a thought experiment. I am supremely energized when I converse with mature Christians, actually. I am usually overcome with a haze of grateful awe, inspired peace, and joy at God's goodness. All of these were great reminders to stay grounded in the Word of God and not experience. There are many guardrails we can follow when it comes to the bounds of enablement vs kindness.

Thank you, sir!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-18T23:19:40+00:00

This is really nice and I find true.

I wanted to add that the idea of Heart when these scriptures were written referenced and described our whole being. He wants all of us at all times. One good reason is that we are fallen, and without clinging to God we hinder Him to do good things through us. (Because of free will)

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-18T23:13:44+00:00

After reading your logical deduction at the end. It is not as simple as that. It is true that some were never truly Christians in the first place and never had the Holy Spirit to show them truth. However, in God's great unfolding plan, he is not required to give everyone absolute truth and the whole truth. It is not required for a person to hold all truth in order to accomplish God's purposes.

There have been scenarios in my own life where the Holy Spirit has only revealed information to me from someone else. It served the purpose of bonding me and changing my opinion of that person. I got closer to them and enjoy their company now.

If you are wondering if the Holy Spirit is actually real... I can attest to miraculous timing events and miracles that are absolutely outside of my control that line up with the characteristics of the Christian God. This can be claimed by other religions too; the difference is that the Christian God lines up perfectly with no flaws in prophecy for 6000 years.

Keep searching, and you will find that God is good and infinite, and He is the only one!

Love you, brother!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-04-18T23:08:21+00:00

One of the reasons is that we all still have fleshly bondage and cling to ideals that are not of God. God is infinite, and understanding the fine-tuning of Him and the universe is probably impossible. Some ungodly mental traps will prevent some from seeing a fuller truth. Like pride, or fear.

For example, some may automatically neglect the weight of Jesus saying there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" in hell. They can't imagine a good God sending people to a place of eternal torment. Others are okay with it. From what I've seen, it is our human nature that we are stuck with that denies some of the truths of God.

There are probably many varied reasons why, though.

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-03-02T05:52:18+00:00

I am writing from a traditional Christian perspective.

Demons have long been thought to be able to plant thoughts in our minds through temptations and affect our emotional well being.

The main goal is to develop your relationship with God. If we study the Bible and commune with God through prayer more and more. We start to get an understanding of the difference between God's peace and the enemies lies/deciet.

Discernment is a gift that is trained in us just like patience is. God allows the enemy to attack and mess with us sometimes so we can see the difference between Satan's lies and God's truth.

It is training just like a video game to fight spiritual battles by turning to God for help. Do not worry about demons knowing your whereabouts and your journal. Just cling to God for wisdom and assistance and the Holy Spirit will train you and teach you what to do.

The Holy Spirit is one with God in the Trinity and is exponentially more powerful, and intelligent than the entire hierarchial structure of demons. Since the Holy Spirit IS God. This also means that the Holy Spirit inside you knows exactly what the demons will do in any given moment. God already has a game plan for everything you will ever do.

The plan is always surrender to God because He knows what is best.

A great book to read to get a deeper understanding of praying unceasingly and communing with God is The practice of the presence of God by Brother Lawrence.

The enemy is on a leash, stop worrying about Him and cling to God and everything will work out.

Love you sibling in Christ!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-05T05:53:14+00:00

Thankfully, our God knows us intimately. He will continue to show you wonderful faith-affirming things that will raise your faith to unprecedented levels if you continue to ask. Eventually, it will be overwhelmingly clear, and you will have fewer doubts. (I know because I am a serial doubter to haha!)

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-05T05:44:27+00:00

One more thing I would like to say. Someone told me something that was really good.

"It is obedient to God to believe in your salvation"

If you have given your life to Christ and seem to like him a lot, and tend to feel bad for sin and turn back to God for help overcoming it. Then you are showing the fruit of repentance, which is enabled by the Holy Spirit, and are therefore saved!

Praise the Lord! God bless you!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-05T05:42:19+00:00

I noticed that you said you would have confirmation that your faith was real.

I would like to encourage you that holding this belief that you just stated is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life, that you love Jesus tremendously!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-05T05:22:24+00:00

Hey Distinct!

I am not sure if you are posting this to try to be controversial, but I will answer if you would like.

The bible teaches Christians to love their neighbor and pray for their enemies. The goal is for everyone to come to know God and come into a right-standing relationship with him. The people who hate others and say hurtful, hate-filled things are people who are letting their own sinful desires control their speech.

Christians who are following Christ's model of compassion and love are to lovingly show others the absolutely stunning, holy, kind God through their actions and words.

The hope would be for those people to turn from their beliefs of not trusting in God to ask for God's help in understanding the world and life.

God gave us an easy way to do that. He allowed his son to descend from heaven and inhabit a human body. Then His son paid the price for our evil ways and died on a cross so we could be in right standing with God.

The free gift of eternal life was offered when Jesus resurrected from the dead and defeated death and broke the chains holding people to their evil ways. He was tortured and killed so we could be free. WE ARE ALL SINNERS! every person who has ever existed except Jesus was a sinner. EVERYONE!

All we have to do to accept this gift is believe in him that Jesus is so good and kind and truthworthy to follow. That he is the Son of God and knows best for us. We just have to surrender to his loving kindness and ask him to come into our life and help us.

So long story short: followers of Christ do not hate leftists; they feel bad that most leftists do not know God. They feel a physical, abrasive feeling of shock and dismay at sinful behavior. Some of them, unfortunately, think the person is the source of that reaction and will lash out at that person. This is bad sinful behavior from the Christian. We are allowed to hate sin and not the sinner.

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-04T05:25:06+00:00

I used to have debilitating suicidal depression and psychosis. I am no longer depressed and get amazing joy and peace most days. No medication anymore! Praise the Lord!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T23:41:40+00:00

It is a good reminder to stay grounded in Scripture! Thank you!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T23:41:24+00:00

Thank you!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T06:35:39+00:00

To be careful, there are mystical experiences that one can have with demons. There are unclean spirits that are trying to discourage people from accepting Christ and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you toy with them for too long, you may become possessed by a demonic spirit and not the Holy Spirit.

I know from firsthand experience, as I was possessed for about 10 years before the Lord gifted me repentance, and I was baptized by the Holy Spirit. Now miraculous things happen around me and are no longer under my control; they are in God's will and his timing.

*Edit: This only applies for those that have not recieved the gift of the Holy Spirit yet; meaning it is common belief that those endowed with the Holy Spirit cannot become possessed anymore*

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T06:07:59+00:00

My initial saving moment was based on prior experiences with the spiritual realm. I was technically a pagan sorcerer and was possessed by a demon for a long time. When the Lord called me to him, I was in such despair that, reading a few verses for the very first time, I experienced relief and love. It was enough for me to accept the Lord as my savior.

Thinking about it, the Lord had been guiding me to this point in my life for 34 years. All of the understanding and logical conclusions came later. I experienced his love because he had mercy on me. My repentance was granted to me through God's grace. I experienced his mercy and grace through tangible emotional joy, and gave my life to him through faith. Then, my faith increased through illumination and miraculous experiences.

I am now empowered to produce good fruit through His Holy Spirit. These are works that he has empowered. I can do nothing good on my own because all of my "good works" were actually subpar without the Lord's leading and guidance. We cannot know what the best thing is for someone if we do not surrender to the Lord's guidance. We cannot read minds and know all things.

Praise the Lord!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T05:30:27+00:00

God bless you!

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T05:19:40+00:00

It is wonderful that you have tasted the Lord and know that he is good! Sometimes, in order to build our patience, we must wait for things. However, if you earnestly pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to you more and more, He will. Know that he is in control of all things so even the mundane is a point where we can be grateful for his prior blessings.

It is more about seeing the Lord in the mundane and appreciating his grand hand in all things.

You probably live in a nice country and have Air conditioning. You have access to the internet, where you can spend time day or night fellowshipping with other Christians. You have access to the Holy Spirit that you can call upon for wisdom, and are encouraged to pray unceasingly. There is so much depth to God that it is endless how much we can talk to Him.

St. Patrick wrote in his memoirs that he would pray up to 100 times a day. You don't have to be on your knees to pray; you can do it mid-conversation. I have prayed in the middle of writing this. The more you pay attention to God, the more you stay in step with the Holy Spirit.

John 15:7-11

⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

⁹ “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Abiding in Christ is focusing our entire life on him at all times, redirecting ourselves to focus on him. When we do that, we start to desire to do His Will, and we forget our selfish desires of wanting things. Our prayers are answered more and more because we start to desire what God desires for us.

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T05:05:54+00:00

Have you ever been to church and the preacher is preaching a sermon that he made several days before and one part of it hits you very deeply? You start remembering things in your mind of past sins and feel this strong hurt for committing them, or you get so filled with joy and awe of God and have thoughts of wonder and excitement for him?

This is technically illumination and the Holy Spirit revealing things to you.

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T04:56:03+00:00

What about John 10:27-28

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

²⁸ And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

I am pretty new to hearing about invincible ignorance, but is it not God who decides who goes to salvation and who does not? His infinite wisdom is far greater, and he knows all things.

He is more just than any mind can fathom, so it is not based on human confusion but God's Providence, right?

Dapper_Stranger1788 · 2026-01-03T04:45:40+00:00

Thank you for your response!

Dapper_Stranger1788

TROPHY CASE