What Christian mysticism is
Christian mysticism is the strand of Christianity concerned with deep, direct experience of God, often described as union or communion, together with the practices and teachings that support it. It is not a separate denomination. Mystical currents appear in Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant history. For the general idea, see what mysticism is.
Roots in scripture and the early church
Christian mystics often draw on the Gospel of John, with its themes of abiding in Christ, and the letters of Paul, which speak of being “in Christ.” In the early centuries, writers such as Origen and Gregory of Nyssa described the soul’s ascent toward God. The Desert Fathers and Mothers of Egypt developed solitude, prayer and fasting as a path to purity of heart; see asceticism and mysticism. Around 500, the writings attributed to Pseudo-Dionysius emphasized that God exceeds all concepts, an approach later called negative or apophatic theology.
Medieval and early modern mystics
- Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) preached on love of God.
- Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) recorded visions and wrote music and theology.
- Meister Eckhart and his Rhineland followers wrote of the birth of God in the soul.
- Julian of Norwich reflected on divine love in Revelations of Divine Love.
- Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross in sixteenth-century Spain wrote influential accounts of prayer and spiritual darkness. See the Dark Night of the Soul.
More profiles appear in famous mystics through history.
Orthodox mysticism
Eastern Orthodox Christianity has a strong mystical outlook. It emphasizes theosis, a participation in the life of God, and the practice of hesychasm, a tradition of inner stillness and repetitive prayer, famously the Jesus Prayer. Orthodox writers often say that theology and mystical life should not be separated.
Protestant currents
Early Protestant leaders were mixed in their view of mysticism, but later movements such as Pietism, and groups such as the Quakers with their emphasis on the “inner light,” carried strong experiential strains. Some Protestants prefer terms like “contemplative” or “devotional” over “mystical.”
Core beliefs and themes
- God is both near and beyond all understanding.
- Love is the main route to knowing God.
- The soul needs purification and growth. A classic outline of this is in the three stages of the mystical path.
- Experiences are to be judged by their fruits, such as humility and love of neighbor.
- Mystical life stays connected to scripture, sacraments and community.
Practices
Typical practices include contemplative or centering prayer, the Jesus Prayer, lectio divina (slow meditative reading of scripture), liturgy, silence and retreat. See mystical practices.
Does the Catholic Church recognize mystics?
Yes. The Catholic Church has canonized many mystics and has named several, such as Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, Doctors of the Church. It also generally treats private revelations cautiously, teaching that they are not required for faith and must be assessed against established doctrine. Some mystics have been investigated or censured. For questions of compatibility with Christianity, the historical record shows a lasting and officially honored mystical tradition, with ongoing attention from church authorities to doctrine and discernment.