The Mystic Way by Jay Forrest

Define Christian Mysticism

Since I will be referring to Mysticism and quoting from Christian mystics, it might be best to define my terms.

Definition of Mysticism

I can think of no better authority on mysticism than the Anglican writer Evelyn Underhill. In one of her shorter books, she gives the following definitions:

Mysticism is the art of union with Reality. The mystic is a person who has attained that union in greater or less degree; or who aims at and believes in such attainment.

Christian Mysticism

For a Christian mystic, that “Reality” is God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. My own definition would be that:

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

What Christian Mysticism is Not

The Christian mysticism I will be referencing has nothing to do with magic, astrology, crystals, alchemy, or the bizarre. Even dreams and visions are seen as suspicious. They are not essential to Christian mysticism, and can even be hindrances.

All are Called

Every Christian is called to this experience of oneness with God. Everyone is called to the mystic way. In fact, I think Karl Rainer might be right, “the Christian of the future will be a mystic or will not exist.”

Hiddenness and Concealment

The one thing the genuine hermit abhors is attention.

As an anonymous Camaldolese hermit put it,

“Our solitary life is not only a renunciation of the artificiality of a mundane existence based on appearance and efficiency, but it hides us from the eyes and the acquaintance of others in such a way that we live truly concealed in complete anonymity.”

Celebrity Hermits

In some circles hermits are revered, which can easily become a stumbling block for them. It is hard to be a celebrity and be humble. And so genuine hermits prefer to be hidden. Thus they wear no special habit (a habit is special clothing worn by monks, nuns, and clergy).

Don’t Advertise

This is the reason why I don’t use my full name. I use my hermit name, brother Jay Paul, so as not to draw attention to myself in real life. I only share this as an example to other would be hermits. Don’t advertise. Be humble. Be hidden. Don’t draw attention to yourself.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

In my life, I never tell anyone I am a hermit. And nobody asks. If they don’t ask, I don’t tell. And I don’t do anything to draw attention to my hermit life. I just avoid people when possible, but I am friendly when I do interact. I am not antisocial, I am pro-solitude. There is a difference.

I don’t need recognition, so I don’t need authorization. God called me to be a hermit, that is good enough for me.

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Note: Camaldolese is a Roman Catholic religious order, based on the Rule of St. Benedict.

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.

Sola Deo not Sola Scriptura

The Roman Catholic Church proclaimed itself the ultimate authority on Earth. The cry of the Reformation was sola scriptura, which is a Latin phrase meaning “scripture alone.” That was used to mean that the Bible alone was the ultimate authority for the Protestant.

But Gnostic Christians proclaim sola Deo, which is a Latin phrase meaning “God alone.” By that, we mean that God alone is the ultimate authority. The scriptures are a secondary authority. To put the Bible in the place of God is bibliolatry (from the Latin biblio, “book” and the suffix -latry, “worship”).

Gnostic Christians hold general revelation and special revelation as complementary ways of understanding God and his relationship with us. When nature and scripture contradict one another, One of those interpretations must be wrong.

One of the major difficulties that most Christians have is that they take the Bible. Literally. The Bible is not historical facts or literally true. It is a religious book filled with myths, metaphors, and parables that are to be interpreted allegorically.

The Bible is not an answer book, it is a guidebook. It records people’s relationship and dealings. With God, we can help us in developing our own personal relationship with God. The Bible is not supposed to be a substitute for a personal relationship with God, but a guidebook to lead us to that relationship.

The Three Evangelical Counsels

The three evangelical counsels are the traditional vows which all monastics make. They are chastity, poverty, and obedience. Let’s look at each, but from a non-Catholic viewpoint.

Chastity

The Oxford English Dictionary defines chastity as “the state or practice of refraining from extramarital, or especially from all, sexual intercourse.” This would include refraining from masturbation.

Poverty

Poverty is different from destitution. Poverty, rightly understood, means living minimalistic and simply. Not having more than you really need. As Paul and Karen Fredette write, “The hermit vows to live with only the barest necessities, witnessing to the joy of having little and desiring less.”

Obedience

Obedience is a little more tricky. For it usually means absolute obedient to a man, usually a bishop. With all the abuse scandals in the church, this is usually not wise. But here I take it to mean obedience to God and one’s Plan of Life.

So these are the three evangelical counsels. However, again departing from the Roman Catholic position, I do not make vows to follow them, but rather I make resolutions that I dedicate myself to following. For Jesus said, “But I say, do not make any vows! (Matt. 5:34 NLT).

Prayer of Dedication

When you are ready to make the commitment, pray the following with sincerity:

Dear heavenly Father, I dedicate my life to the Lord Jesus Christ through a life of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Lord God, give me the wisdom and strength to fulfill my resolution. In Jesus’ name. Amen.