Mysticism, within the context of Christianity, refers to the pursuit of a direct and intimate experience of God. It emphasizes the believer's personal communion with the Divine, often transcending the intellectual understanding of Scripture to embrace a more experiential knowledge of God. This pursuit is characterized by a deep yearning for union with God, often through prayer, meditation, and contemplation.

Biblical Foundations

While the term "mysticism" is not explicitly found in the Bible, the Scriptures contain numerous passages that reflect mystical themes. The Bible speaks of the mystery of God's nature and His relationship with humanity. For instance, the Apostle Paul frequently uses the term "mystery" to describe the divine truths revealed in Christ. In Ephesians 3:9 , Paul writes, "and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things."

The Bible also records instances of profound encounters with God. Moses' experience at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6) and Isaiah's vision of the Lord in the temple (Isaiah 6:1-8) are examples of direct divine encounters that have mystical elements. In the New Testament, the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9) and Paul's vision on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6) further illustrate the mystical experiences of God's presence.

Union with Christ

A central theme in Christian mysticism is the believer's union with Christ. This concept is rooted in passages such as John 15:4 , where Jesus says, "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me." The mystical union is also expressed in Galatians 2:20 : "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

Prayer and Contemplation

Mysticism often involves a life of prayer and contemplation, seeking to deepen one's relationship with God. The Psalms, for example, are filled with expressions of longing for God's presence. Psalm 42:1-2 declares, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?"

Jesus Himself modeled a life of prayer, frequently withdrawing to solitary places to commune with the Father (Luke 5:16). The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), highlighting the importance of continual communion with God.

Discernment and Caution

While mysticism seeks a deeper experience of God, it requires discernment to ensure alignment with biblical truth. The Bible warns against false teachings and spiritual experiences that deviate from the gospel. In 1 John 4:1 , believers are instructed, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Christian mysticism, therefore, must be grounded in Scripture and the historic teachings of the Church. It should lead to a greater love for God and others, as well as a life of holiness and obedience to God's commands.

Historical Context

Throughout church history, various Christian mystics have sought to articulate their experiences of God. Figures such as Augustine, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Teresa of Ávila have contributed to the understanding of Christian mysticism. Their writings often emphasize the transformative power of divine love and the soul's journey toward God.

In summary, mysticism in the Christian tradition is the pursuit of a deeper, experiential knowledge of God, rooted in Scripture and expressed through a life of prayer, contemplation, and union with Christ. It calls believers to discernment and fidelity to biblical truth, ensuring that their spiritual experiences align with the teachings of the faith.1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Topicalbible.org

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Topicalbible.org

Isaiah 2:6
Therefore you have forsaken your people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
Topicalbible.org

Tauler and Mysticism
... INTRODUCTION IV Tauler and Mysticism. ... Mystics are not dreamers; they are not fanatics;
they are not fools; they are not a sect; and mysticism is not a religion. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/iv tauler and mysticism.htm

Valentine Weigel and Nature Mysticism
... CHAPTER VIII VALENTINE WEIGEL AND NATURE MYSTICISM. It is a central idea of
mysticism that there is a way to God through the human soul. ...
/.../chapter viii valentine weigel and.htm

The New Name.
... of the Revelation be written by the same man who wrote the Gospel according to St
John or not, there is, at least, one element common to the two"the mysticism ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the new name.htm

Editor's Preface
... Of mysticism, as of all the greatest things in life, the characteristic notes are
sincerity and simplicity. ... For mysticism like love is shy as the wild bird. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/editors preface.htm

Preface
... A century ago men's minds were sick unto death from too much science and
too little mysticism. To-day the danger is that even the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/preface.htm

The First Experiment
... still too mystical. To "abide" in Christ, to "make Christ our most constant
companion" is to them the purest mysticism. They want ...
/.../the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/the first experiment.htm

Jacob Boehme: his Life and Spirit
... pastor of Zschopau, who united the spiritual-mystical views of Schwenckfeld, Franck,
and the other teachers of his type with a nature mysticism or theosophy ...
/.../chapter ix jacob boehme his.htm

Implanted Dispositions.
... something before God as a being. So we oppose pantheistic Mysticism and
deadly Pelagianism.. The essential mistake of the latter ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ix implanted dispositions.htm

Bibliography
... The ideas of Dionysius's system are discussed in all books on Mysticism, and a
multitude of magazine articles, mainly in German, deal with isolated points in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolt/dionysius the areopagite/x bibliography.htm

God's Workmanship and Our Works
... Is it your experience, dear brother? Do not be frightened by talking about
mysticism. If a Christianity has no mysticism it has no life. ...
/.../gods workmanship and our works.htm

What are Christian mystics? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ulrich Zwingli? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about applied kinesiology? | GotQuestions.org

Mystically: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus