“Christian Mystic & Church History” P-6

Grandpa White Feather here, and today I’d like to offer up my own definition of a Christian Mystic. Now granted, I don’t have any real authority to do so, and no one needs to agree with my definition. Everyone can totally ignore it if they like, but for my own comfort level, I feel led to do this. As we study the Mystics, there will be some we agree with more than others, and the kind of C.M. I want to be may draw different lines than they, but I believe still qualifies.

Lets start with this point. My definition is based on the Christian Mystic’s desire to understand the “Mysteries of God”. Now I agree we will never solve all the spiritual mysteries God has set before us, but the C.M. I desire to be, loves to dive deep into God seeking such answers as may be found. Consider this scripture from Proverbs, in both the King James and NLT.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” (Prov. 25:2)

“It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.” (NLT)

This is a “king” in God’s eyes, someone interested in heavenly things enough to dig deep and search out. This person is rich in heavenly possessions. The world may not see them as a king, but God looks at this child and says, “King!” Has not God said, he who shall be least, shall be the greatest?

And why would God hide things, making it difficult for us to find? Doesn’t he want us to be as successful in his Spirit as possible? You’re probably already saying the answer. Lets see if we’re tracking the same? My scripture answer would be…

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY seek him.” (Heb. 11:6)

So, my definition of Christian Mystic has a lot to do with a person who is a seeker of the mysteries of God, to know God in a deep and intimate way, like a Mary and not a Martha.

Here is what I currently have, and I may change and refine as our studies go along:

A Christian Mystic is someone who loves God enough to pursue God into His deeper mysteries. He is fascinated with all things God! Including those things God has hidden for the DILIGENT to seek and find. This love of God in them (he, she), must be such as to not only drive the Mystic into separated times with God, but also drives them to love his fellow man, so that God’s fruit bears witness in his good works towards mankind. (Much like a Dorothy Day, as one example.) All spiritual disciplines are known, and may be used by a C.M., such things as prayer, fasting, holiness, separation, sacrifices to benefit others, moderation in all things, seeker of peace, love, and unity, and so forth, as revealed in God’s Word, which the C.M. searches diligently.

Okay, we have our starting point here, and I want to close out today by adding these scriptures: (In the Amplified version.)

(Psalms 78:1-3) “Give ear, oh my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable — in instruction by (numerous) examples; I WILL UTTER DARK SAYINGS OF OLD (that hide important truth), which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.”

Also: Matt 13:34-35 > “These things all taken together Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed without a parable he said nothing to them. This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet: I will open My mouth in parables; I WILL UTTER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.”

We will continue to study Christian Mystics and Church History. My next article will likely be about 3 main early church fathers: Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna. All three had direct contact with the Apostles. All three became Bishops of the early church and offer light upon what the church is meant to be. Since Origen was our first Mystic, I don’t want to leave his time period without also showing what was going on with early church fathers who may not be called “Mystics”, but certainly had great power and influence with God!

Hope you enjoyed this latest article. Until the next time, Grandpa White Feather and the “Fellowship of the White Path”.