tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32298156.post6239070382968309641..comments2008-01-27T06:43:56.946-08:00Sharktacoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14211582724058718297noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32298156.post-17010570967743231902008-01-27T06:43:00.000-08:002008-01-27T06:43:00.000-08:00I tend to disagree with your analysis, but would be interested in hearing more of your perspective to understand it better. First of all I am only referring here to Christian mysticism. I am not familiar with your Mt Tabor reference, but one I see a lot is the Song of Solomon which comes up over and over. This is of course a deeply relational and intimate text.<BR/><BR/>While Christian mysticism does utilize spiritual practices like meditation, I would say the core is focused on dependency on God as the basis of intimate relational union.<BR/><BR/>The world view of the early church was heavily influenced by Greek philosophy which effects both theology (like the creeds) as well as mysticism, but I think an argument could be made that both the theology and praxis of the early church are based on Paul and John and thus not a diversion from the Bible, but its imperfect expression within their particular (Greek) culture. I do not see anything particularly sacred about any one cultural expression including Hebrew culture, so the question for me is whether we see in the mysticism of the church a genuine expression of a living relationship with God despite its many human faults. I think we do.<BR/><BR/>I'd be interested to hear your thoughts here.Derekhttp://sharktacos.com/Godnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32298156.post-70820738294053898712008-01-26T17:54:00.000-08:002008-01-26T17:54:00.000-08:00Depends what you mean by mystical. You equate mystical with experiential, however traditionally mysticism refers to union with God through meditation and other "spiritual exercises," as opposed to relational unity with God. Christian unity is relational through the Holy Spirit as opposed to Muslim and Buddhist becoming one with the Absolute. Even Orthodox mystics speak of the uncreated light of Mt. Tabor (The Transfiguration) as the basis for their experience of the Divine.<BR/><BR/>Mysticism goes back to the Greeks and is based on non-relational Being philosophy rather than Hebrew covenantal relational faith.Relatesnoreply@blogger.com