Question:  Dear Greg,

            What is mysticism?  Does it mean being aware of God as we go about living?  Are there dangers we should be aware of concerning mysticism?

            Thanks,

            Ron

Answer:  Dear Ron,

            There are two generally popular definitions:

1.      a way of knowing God directly, intimately and emotionally rather than simply having an intellectual, cognitive knowledge of him.

2.      vague and unproven speculations about God.

Of course, the first is positive and used within positive contexts, while the second is negative, and used within negative contexts.  Many Christians who believe in the positive definition of mysticism do not use the word “mysticism” to define it, for they are convinced that the word itself is pagan, silly, mindless and subjective.  However, much of what we know of God, and the way we know him is mystical—for example, eating the body and drinking the blood of our Savior in communion.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht