Christian Mysticism is the “belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender” (St. Theresa’s writings were part of the traditions of Christian mysticism). If this definition seems “mysterious” to you, you are not alone. The reason this is hard to understand is that it has no basis in Scripture. The Bible never speaks about “gaining a union with God through contemplation and self-surrender.” This is clearly a man-made philosophy which the Apostle Paul warned us about in Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (NKJV).

At the time that he was inspired to write this there were those who called themselves Gnostics. Gnosticism was a diverse set of religious and philosophical movements that emerged around the 1st century, characterized by the belief that salvation comes from SECRET KNOWLEDGE (gnosis) rather than through faith in Christ. They believed this “superior knowledge” could be acquired through “subjective experiences” apart from the Word of God. This was the beginning of what became known as “Christian Mysticism.” Later, in Colossian 2:18 Paul wrote “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in FALSE HUMILITY AND WORSHIP OF ANGELS, INTRUDNG INTO THOSE THINGS WHICH HE HAS NOT SEEN, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” The Gnostics looked upon themselves with great PRIDE and taught others that to learn their “deep, secret mysteries” they had to be “initiated into their elite group.” They also practiced “asceticism” (self-denial) to obtain salvation and thus Paul wrote in verse 23, “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in SELF-IMPOSED RELIGION, false humility, and NEGLECT OF THE BODY, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”  Sadly, we have those with us today who teach these same heresies. Perhaps the most well-known group are the Mormons, who practice “secret rites and rituals” that supposedly result in “secret knowledge” that in turn brings them into “union with God.”

We saw in Colossians 2:8 that these practices are “not according to Christ.” It is through Christ that we gain the knowledge of God as we see in Colossians 2:2-3 where Paul prayed “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of full assurance of understanding, to the KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD, BOTH OF THE FATHER AND OF CHRIST, IN WHOM ARE HIDDEN ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE.” Salvation begins with the knowledge that Christ paid for our sins on the cross by taking our place in death and judgment (see John 3:14-17 and 1 Peter 3:18) and that He rose from the dead three days later (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 with Romans 4:23-24). After we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we are SAVED (Acts 16:31) and BORN AGAIN (John 1:12-13 and 3:1-8). It is not through “contemplation and self-surrender” that this knowledge is learned which results in SALVATION and the NEW BIRTH, but through the Word of God. “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23). The moment we are saved and born again, the Holy Spirit (the Third Person of the Holy Trinity…Matthew 28:19) seals us and lives inside of us (Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9). From that moment on the Holy Spirit is our Divine Teacher who desires to glorify Christ by teaching us more about Him (1 John 2:26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13). As we learn more about Christ through the Spirit and the Word of God, we become more like Him. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being TRANSFORMED IN THE SAME IMAGE from glory to glory, just as BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This, my dear friend, is the “true knowledge of our union with God.” Christ has done the work to bring us into this union, and the Holy Spirit reveals this truth to us through the Word of God.  (DO)  (698.1)