Christian Mysticism: What Is It? by David Sheldon
EXCHANGED: Methods & Inner Journey for Mediation & Faith
Most Christians probably don't think of supposed Christian mysticism as an attack upon the mediating nature of the person and work of Jesus Christ and our faith in that truth. But this is exactly what is taking place. This area of inquiry may be the last and final and most profoundly deceptive attack upon Christianity at the end of this present evil age. This “Christian” mysticism may be what takes most of Protestantism over the edge and into communion with Rome. And, within supposed “evangelicalism,” one of the main people to lead many into the present quagmire is Richard J. Foster, founder of Renovare who has his roots in Quakerism. When you take a look at some of the tenets of Quakerism you can begin to realize that some of its' teachings are invading the Protestant churches and not vice versa. (It seems they came in unannounced one day while we were “being tolerant.”) And the only end in sight is the universal spirituality of apostate Christianity - which many within the charismatic movement boast of as “the walls coming down.” But when Biblical doctrinal walls come down the seducing spirits behind false doctrines invade - and they along with the false teachers were the ones helping to knock down the walls in the first place. The quickest path to spiritual growth (emphasis - subtitle of Foster's book - Celebration of Discipline which I review under Examples) that you can really take is the one where:
#1- We realize that we have been granted grace and mercy in access to the throne of God (His presence) by the blood of Jesus Christ ALONE. The eternal door into the Kingdom of Heaven is opened to us from the inside.
#2 - That He has provided by His Spirit a revealing of who He is and what He has done when you and I beat our little feet to the place where we can best hear, read, study, memorize, and objectively meditate upon and obey HIS WORD.
Substituting methods or techniques toward a special inner journey to a state of receptivity (and saying it is "God providing access") are deceptions and diversions! This is Foster's and the mystics substitute.
Copyright, David Sheldon, 2006, all rights reserved.
For More Articles Like This Go To: www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com