Category: Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as set forth in Scripture, tradition, experience, and practice.

What is Progressive Christianity?

Although there are groups calling themselves progressive Christianity, here, I’m not referring to those. Rather, I’m referring to Christianity that embraces critical scholarship, modern science, and a rational approach to Christianity.

The problem is that fundamentalist Christianity is living in the past. They’re living in past scholarship, past thinking, past ideas. But truth continues to unveil itself.

As scholarship has begun to investigate the origins of Christianity, we have begun to see that the commonly accepted understanding of Christianity is wrong. And that many cannot accept.

But the fact remains. That the Bible is not inerrant or invaluable. It is a human book like every other human book. So we must approach it differently than treating it as a Divine word that descended from the throne of God in pure form.

Yes, God inspired the people to write the Bible. I’m not denying that. What a denying is that the Bible is the direct word of God in pure form. Rather, it is a human attempt to put in human words, a Divine encounter.

So when I speak of progressive Christianity, I’m referring to a Christianity that embraces the facts as they are and tries to embody the love of God in today’s world. That means with the understanding of the world as we know it in the 21st century.

Of course, all that means that progressive Christianity is also inclusive. It is for diversity, inclusion and equity. Because all people, men, women and trans people deserve dignity, honor, and respect. There is no room for discrimination for yheart filled with truth and love for all.

The Mysticism of the Apostle Paul

Hekhalot and Merkavah are from an early form of Jewish mysticism. Hekhalot is the Hebrew word for Palaces and Merkavah Hebrew word for Chariot. Both refer to mystical experiences and visions of the Divine.

This was the mystical tradition that the Apostle Paul would have known and followed. I believe it formed the background for his own mystical experiences as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 . Let’s read it from an early Jewish mystical perspective.

1 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 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. 3 And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

This is ascent into heaven, as recorded by the Apostle Paul, matches perfectly with early Jewish mysticism. And this may have happened during the trance recorded in Acts 22:17-21. Again, let’s quote the relevant part.

17 “After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.’ 21 Then he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the gentiles.’ ”

This was the single most important event in the history of Christianity. For until Paul took the gospel to the Gentiles, the early Jesus movement would have been nothing more than a sect of Judaism. It would never have become a worldwide religion.

Therefore, the very essence of Christianity, it’s very hard, is mystical. Mysticism forms the foundation upon which Christianity stands, and must continue to stand. Which means that we have to call the church back to a spiritual reality, rather than an outward form.

The Sinner’s Prayer

I hold in my hand right now. A book that says all you have to do to be saved is “simply to believe and receive.” And then it gives the following prayer that you’re supposed to pray.

Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me.

The reader is supposed to believe that saying this prayer will save them. This is nonsense. Saying a prayer makes no difference at all. The Bible actually teaches you must repent and believe (Matt 3:2; Mark 1:15: 6:12; Luke 3:13; Act 3:19: 2 Cor 7:20). But then, who reads the Bible. I mean really.

No Salvation requires a change of heart. That means that a person must change from being self-centered to being god-centered. That doesn’t happen by saying words out of your mouth. That takes a move of God in the heart of the person.

Unfortunately, this idea of saying the sinner’s prayer, and then you’re saved, is so widespread that there are many who call themselves Christians that are not. Being a Christian means to become totally committed to God through Jesus Christ.

And faith is not accepting certain statements about Christ as true. Real faith is the “[absolute] reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ” (Gal 2:16 AMP). It is trusting a person, not accepting a doctrine. Mouthing words is not enough.

Even the word conversion means to turn around. It’s like you’re walking in One direction, and then you turn around and walk a completely different direction. That’s conversion, that salvation, that’s what people really need. A change from a self-centered life to a God-centered life. You won’t get that just saying a prayer.

What is Christian Mysticism?

Christian mysticism is one of the most misunderstood terms. It is defined in numerous ways. All kinds of crazy ideas fall under the title of Christian mysticism.

The word began within the Christian tradition. Therefore, when we speak of Christian mysticism, it must first and foremost be Christian. That means it must be based upon the life teachings and death of Jesus Christ and his Apostles. That eliminates the lot that calls itself. Christian mysticism.

So let me give you a simple definition I came up with. I think this is both accurate and concise.

Christian mysticism is the pursuit of, the study of, and the attainment of an experience of oneness with God in and through Jesus Christ.

So they’re three aspects of Christian mysticism. First is the pursuit of the experience of oneness with God in and through Christ. This is the practice of Christian mysticism, also called asceticism.

The second aspect of Christian mysticism is the study of the experience of oneness with God, it and through Jesus Christ. This is what you find in books and numerous teachings on the subject. This is trying to put you to words and experience that is beyond words.

And the third and final aspect of Christian mysticism is the experience of oneness with God in and through Jesus Christ. This is the actual experience. The whole point of the pursuit and the study, should be the attainment of this experience.

Individualized Eschatology

Eschatology deals with the last things. This includes such things as the second coming, the millennial reign of Christ, and the end of the heaven and Earth.

Individualized eschatology says that the second coming is not an event in the future, but the end of each individual person’s life. Jesus Christ comes for that person on their deathbed. That is the second coming of Christ.

Many will argue against this viewpoint, saying that that’s not the natural reading of the scriptures. I will agree, but that is an allegorical reading of those same scriptures.

Think of it this way, when I die is when I will be with the Lord. As Paul. The apostle said, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. That means that the second coming of Christ for me takes place at my death.

Individualized eschatology solves a lot of the problems and difficulties that the church has had over the years. Everybody is always trying to predict when the second coming will take place. I predict it will take place when you die.

Of course, that will be true. At your death there are only three options. You’ll either die and go to be with the Lord, or you will be reincarnated, or you will cease to exist. All three are legitimate possibilities, depending upon your relationship with God.