The Mysticism of Jesus and Paul

The roots of mystical experience in Christianity go back to Jesus and Paul. It is a precious gift of the biblical authors to record this because this mystical experience is what I believe drove the initial growth of the Christian Church and should continue to be a focal point if not the primary focal point of the Christian life. While the disciples and others had an immediate experience of Jesus during His life and Jesus after the resurrection, many Christians share of their personal relationship with Jesus in the following centuries. Certainly, Paul talks at length about Christ living inside us.

Whatever you think about Jesus, I think all Christians would agree that He maintained a deep communion with God. He often slipped away in prayer, fasting and meditation. Jesus taught that it is possible to share this unique vision of God. That vision is an inner vision coming from the heart.

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Love, the critical center of one’s heart, was Jesus’s primary message. Love God and love neighbor; that is the whole of the law. He spoke as a mystic would speak about love, using mystery and parable, using imagery from nature to demonstrate gods involvement with all of creation. Like any great mystic, Jesus preached love and union with God.

So why are so many Christians reluctant to call Jesus a mystic and embrace the mysticism He modeled for us? Some Christians are afraid of anything that seems a little cultish or new-age. I can assure you if you read the Bible looking for the mysticism of Jesus, you will find it all over the place. This is no new-age revisionism, this is the behavior of Jesus that we should imitate. Other Christians may simply be wary of putting any label upon Jesus. I can understand the impulse to respect Jesus to the upmost and refusing to label him in any sense. However, just as much as Jesus was a healer, a teacher and a prophet, Jesus was a mystic. Jesus tells us over and over in many statements and parables to seek union with God. And importantly, Jesus’ mysticism is utterly practical. To Jesus, union with God is as natural as breathing if we are willing and open to experience it. What you don’t find in Jesus’ mysticism is isolation, elaborate ritual, self-denial or asceticism as you might find in other mystic traditions. What you do find is baptism, communion, love, prayer and service to others.

What are we to make of verses like these if we remove the inherent mystical message?

John 14:19-20

In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

It is hard to argue that this verse is talking about a second coming because every eye will not see Him. Those with the knowledge of Christ will see Him. That is, when Christ is no longer on this earth, He will live inside us, and we will see Him. Let that last sentence in the above verses sink in and thrill you. Because we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us, we are then also one with the Father. The experience of Christ inside us is union with the God of all creation. This mystical union is readily available and is real salvation. Our practices — baptism, communion, prayer, love and service — are all mystical paths to God. You don’t need to seek mysticism through a new-age movement or through eastern religions, although I have no problem with those paths if that is what you choose. Mysticism has been there from the very beginnings of Christianity.

I believe that Paul’s letters show us that in addition to being an astounding church builder and theological intellect, Paul was above all a mystic. Paul surrendered everything to union with Christ and wrote that Christ can live inside us in total union. Paul taught that the effects of this mystical union went far beyond mystery traditions, changing the individual believer toward the greater good as well as mystically directing the church, the body of Christ on earth.

The second chapter of Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians gives us an amazing picture of spiritual and mystical growth. Please take a moment to read it as I won’t quote an entire book here in a simple blog post. Here, Paul talks about a hidden mystery revealed by the Holy Spirit and culminating in sharing the mind of Christ. In brief outline, Paul describes his journey toward mystical union with Christ. We know of Paul’s conversion experience, a blinding and life-changing experience of Christ. He knew nothing much about experiencing Christ before this but after his vision was driven to seek out other early believers, knowing only the message of Christ, Christ’s crucifixion His and resurrection. He says he lacked wisdom, but then grew in wisdom. A kind of wisdom that God keeps hidden. A kind of wisdom only imparted by the Spirit, not of human minds, and so those around us who do not seek union with God’s spirit cannot understand this wisdom. Finally, this mystical experience culminates inside us, as we actually share in the mind of Christ. Over time we have become numb to the radical teachings of the Bible. This is nothing short of stunning.

1 Cor 2:16

“For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ

This can be described no other way than the Christian journey of mysticism leading to union of God, searching through the spirit, and receiving the mind of Christ in ourselves. Through this union, we become one with God, we fulfill our true human purpose.

Paul’s own description of his conversion experience should read as one of the most shocking mystical experiences recorded in our scriptures. Because we have heard about it and read it many times over the years, it may have lost its ability to shock. Please read the following to understand how deeply mystical Paul really was.

2 Cor 12:1-5

It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.

There are many similarities between this description and the description of the mystical experiences of so many Christian mystics over the last 2,000 years. But by reading the other writings of Paul, we understand that mystical experience is transformative. It brings us to union with Christ, to grow with Christ, it changes us and molds us into a new Christ identity. It is true union. It is not simply following Christ as a student follows a teacher, it is not association with Christ as we might associate with any other movement, it is identification in union with Christ. We become one with Christ. We are grafted mystically onto the vine, and as time goes on, there is absolutely no distinction, the vine is the vine in all its parts.

This blog post is about how mysticism is central to Christianity, it is not about salvation theories. But regular readers will know that I am a universalist. I believe we are all saved, if what you mean by salvation is our Mother takes care of us after death as She takes care of us in life. We have always been all in all with God. There are no secret handshakes that get you into a heaven or other afterlife. Whatever happens to me will happen to you. But what I do want to emphasize here is that salvation is about leading our lives as they were intended by God, fulfilling our purposes. And that purpose is total union and identification with God. Christ living inside of us and forming us is salvation right here and now.

Why Are So Many Christians Missing Out?

Despite what Jesus and Paul have clearly outlined for us — mystical union with God — many Christians, especially in America, turn away from mysticism. I typically hear the following given as reasons to mistrust mysticism.

• Mysticism is uniquely personal and difficult to express. Any experience of God cannot be expressed adequately in human language. That is the value of poetry and metaphor, of art and music, and any other expression of our mystical experiences. But the personal nature of these experiences may be offputting to some Christians who want a black-and-white approach. And the unique ways in which these personal experiences are communicated may be difficult for others to understand. All that means to me is that we all need to tell our stories because some stories will resonate with others in varying degrees.
• There are plenty of mystical and New Age movements that deserve suspicion and ridicule. So some Christians are naturally wary of accepting mysticism in their own tradition. But I think the biblical witness is clear, Jesus was a mystic, and Paul was a mystic, and mysticism may be the entire point. What else can it mean to live with Christ in our heart?
• Mysticism presents a threat to the established order. If we can all individually find union with Christ then traditional power structures lose their ability to dictate interpretations of faith. It is frightening for some Christians to think that mystical experiences might overshadow church tradition. This kind of fear represents a lack of faith in the enormous love and power of God in the life of each believer.
• Mysticism means that you are open to an inner experience. Since the enlightenment, Christianity has tried to compete with a kind of scientism based on empirical evidence and rationality. For some Christians, mysticism and an experience of God could be terrifying and unmooring. I promise you that union with God is a much greater anchor to your faith than an intellectual ascent to dogma.
• Mysticism can seem like it is focused on the self. Some Christians may fear that this will distract from the experience of the body of Christ and the church. I would simply invite more and more Christians to incorporate mysticism into their church traditions. Many churches do this already with contemplative prayer meetings, silent prayer times, programs and services. While individual mystical practices and contemplative prayer are life giving to believers, doing these practices together in a community are exceptionally powerful.

How Can More Christians Embrace Our Mystical Heritage?

So how do we get our sisters and brothers to reconnect to this mystical faith? Convincing Christians who are skeptical or who are exploring mysticism in New Age or other movements that Christian mysticism has deep roots in their own tradition can be approached in several ways:

• Education on Historical Mystics: Introduce them to key figures in Christian mysticism, such as St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, and Meister Eckhart. Highlight their writings and teachings, showing how they sought direct experiences of God and the divine.
• Scriptural Foundations: Point to biblical passages that emphasize mystical experiences, such as the visions of Ezekiel, the Transfiguration of Jesus, and the contemplative practices of figures like David and the Apostle Paul. Emphasize that mysticism is not foreign to the Bible.
• Contemplative Practices: Share traditional Christian practices that align with mysticism, such as contemplative prayer, centering prayer, and lectio divina. Encourage them to explore these practices as a way to deepen their spiritual life within a Christian context. Start groups within your congregation to practice these centuries long and authentically Christian traditions.
• Community and Tradition: Highlight the importance of community in Christian mysticism. Many mystics were part of monastic communities that provided support and guidance. While we don’t have the luxury of monasticism in our modern lives we can encourage each other to connect with churches or groups that embrace contemplative spirituality.
• Theological Framework: I don’t think that our rational minds can understand God’s personality. Classical theism points to God as the ground and source of all being, but it does not necessarily lead to the Christian God of love. Christian mysticism is rooted in the understanding of God as a personal and relational being. Mysticism helps you experience the God of love and a way you cannot access through intellectual belief.
• Addressing Misconceptions: Acknowledge any fears or misconceptions they may have about mysticism, like the ones listed above. It is important for Christians to understand that mysticism has been a core element of their faith going back to Jesus and is not something dangerous that will detract from their other core beliefs.
• Personal Testimonies: Share stories of individuals who have found fulfillment in Christian mysticism, illustrating how it has enriched their faith and spiritual journey. Personal testimonies can be powerful in demonstrating the relevance of mysticism today.
• Encouragement to Explore: Encourage them to explore Christian mysticism alongside their current interests. Suggest reading materials, attending workshops, or participating in retreats focused on Christian contemplative practices.

By providing resources, fostering open dialogue, and emphasizing the rich tradition of Christian mysticism, you can help seekers find a path that resonates with their spiritual desires while remaining rooted in their Christian faith.

I was first turned on to Christian mysticism by a dear friend and pastor. He handed me his copy of, “The Cloud of Unknowing,” and told me that book more than any other changed his life. The book can unfortunately also be puzzling, archaic and obtuse. So I also recommend “The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality,” by Carl McColman. It is a wide overview, but the thing I like the most about it is it is decidedly Christian. This book gets at the roots of our faith.