Jesus Christ: God's Presence on Earth Mysticism

What do major religions believe?

God is not distant or detached from creation but rather God is actively involved in the lives of his people.

What does the bible affirm?

God’s omnipresence

What is the evidence of God’s omnipresence in the Old Testament?

Psalm 138:7-10
Exodus 13:21-22

Exodus 25:8

What does Psalm 138:7-10 teach?

God’s care

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast"

What does Exodus 13:21-22 teach?

God helps in tangible ways

The pillar of cloud and the fire which helped guide Israel through their journey in the wilderness

What does Exodus 25:8 teach?

The Tabernacle and the Temple

• Both serve as physical symbols of God’s omnipotence

What evidence is there in the New Testament showing God’s omnipresence?

Matthew 1:23

John 14:16-17

(letter by St. Paul) Philippians 4:6-7

Proverbs 3:5-6

Isaiah 41:10

Psalms 16:11

What does Matthew 1:23 teach?

Quotes Isaiah- “Emmanuel”/God with us

God’s embodiments in Jesus Christ

• Threw his life, helping christians understand God’s presence more deeply

What does John 14:16-17 teach?

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you”

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Advocate- the job is representing in litigation. In the bible, it is to intercede.

What is an advocate?

The term Advocate means one who intercedes on behalf of believers, not just a helper or guide.

What does Christian theology believe about the believer?

The believer must be encouraged to recognize God’s presence in one’s life

• Each person is a presence of God.

• Recognizing this is the easiest way to understand God’s presence

What does the letter by St. Paul (Philippians 4:6-7) teach?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Each person is a presence of God. (self-awareness)

• Acknowledging God’s presence transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for spiritual growth and communion with Him.

What does Proverbs 3:5-6 advise/teach?

trusting the Lord with your whole heart, not relying on your own understanding, and acknowledging Him in all your ways, with the promise that He will make your paths straight

• God’s presence is a source of comfort and strength, especially during times of trial and suffering

What does Isaiah 41-10 offer?

reassurance

What does Psalms 16:11 teach?

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Enhances gratitude and praise

What is Mysticism?

An experience of God

It is a process (way of life based upon a person’s relationship with God)

What is the source of this experience of God?

loving knowledge of God coming from personal experience.

What is the goal in mysticism?

a union with god

Who is Karl Rahner?

German Jesuit priest and theologian emphasized this development when he taught that the devout Christian of the future will either be a mystic, one who has experienced something, or the person will cease to be anything at all.

When did Karl Rahner live?

(1904-1984)

How would Christians describe the relationship between Jesus Christ with God?

Direct and unique

Their relationship is unique because he surrendered to God’s will completely during his life on earth even though the nature of his experience is equality and oneness with God.

What is Jesus Christ a model of?

the Christian mystic

Is mysticism found in the bible?

No, but it is derived from it

Etymological

comes from Greek Hellenism.

• Used in the Greek Mystery Religions

• Used in two ways

  • Ta mystika- secret rites that are performed by the Greek mystery religions

  • Hoi mystikoi- (mysticism)- how the secrets were revealed to the mystics. Without referring to a specific experience

Who used the term mysticism to explain the hidden meaning of scripture?

The greek fathers of the Chruch

Who are examples of Greek Fathers who use the term Mysticism to describe the bible’s hidden meaning?

St. Clement of Rome (+100 AD)

Origen (185-253)

What did St. Clement of Rome and Origen emphasize?

Emphasized the scared or meaning of the scriptures.

They spoke of a mystical interpretation of the scriptures

The meaning of a passage is only understood only when a person approaches the scriptures in prayer.

What happen in the 4th century?

mysticism was used in reference to the hidden presence of Christ not only in the Bible but also in the sacraments and in worship or liturgy

Who is Pseudo-Dionysisu?

a fifth century AD Syrian monk

Was a judge in the Areopagus according to the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 17:34

• Was a good judge in this Greek court.

He was converted to Christianity by the preaching of St. Paul and eventually became the Bishop of Athens.

Credited and known as the one who introduced the word mystical into the Christian tradition.

Following St. Gregory of Nyssa (335-394 AD) he used the word to refer to the deeper meaning of Scripture and the Sacraments

Neoplatonism

Historically, this period spans the fall of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century and the start of the Arab conquest in the 7th century. Neoplatonism became the dominant philosophical system, shaping mystical theology

• Tried to explain a comprehensive understanding of the world and the individual human being’s place in it.

What is Mystical contemplation?

movement towards god beyond concepts and symbols

A way of obtaining knowledge of god by simply Knowing

What happen in the 12th century and onward?

the Mystica Theology influenced Christian mystical tradition.

What happen Prior to the late Middle Ages?

the Western Church exemplifies in writers such as St. Augustine (354-430AD), Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604AD) and St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), more commonly used the word contemplation instead of mysticism

When did the schools of mysticism appear?

between the 12th and 13th century

What type of schools of mysticism?

Cistercian and Franciscan schools

Victorines- coming from the abbey / monastery of St. Victor in Paris.

Examples of Mystics (14th century):

Meister Eckart

John Taourlar

St. John of the Cross

Thomas Merton

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Teilhard de Chardin

St. Teresa of Avila

Karl Rahner

Meister Eckhart

14th-century Dominican mystic from Rhineland, Germany.

Emphasized the radical otherness of God.

Approaching God requires letting be and letting go of sinful inclinations.

This leads to serenity, freedom, and clear decision-making.

Influenced John Tauler.

His writings also influenced Martin Luther.

John Taourlar

mystic in the 14th century

St. John of the Cross (1542–1591)

Carmelite mystic, poet, theologian.

Taught the path to God through the “dark night”: a journey of faith and love beyond concepts.

Called God “a ray of darkness.”

Thomas Merton (1915–1968)

US Catholic author, monk, activist.

Emphasized the silent contemplative prayer of St. John of the Cross.

Called God a ray of darkness in prayer.

Added importance of social action and transformation.

St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556)

Founder of the Society of Jesus.

Emphasized the similarity between God and creatures.

Events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are a foundation for prayer.

Promoted service mysticism involving engagement with the world.

Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955)

French Jesuit priest, scientist, paleontologist, philosopher, mystic.

Saw the world as a divine environment revealing God’s presence.

Continued Loyola

St. Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)

Spanish Carmelite mystic and reformer.

Taught that the greatest human problem is lack of self-knowledge.

Christ is at the center of one’s existence.

Approaching Christ leads to increased self-knowledge.

Contemplative prayer requires balancing with reflection and meditation on Christ’s humanity.

Karl Rahner (Modern Christian Mysticism)

the german priest and theologian taught of the necessity to do theology rooted in the experience of the mystery of god is addressing us

What are Christians?

are a mystical people whose destiny is to be in the presence of the risen Lord Jesus.

Experience with God

Experience is not necessarily identical for everyone and across all religions.

Experience is the result of a person’s interaction with reality.

Christian mystical experience is an experience of the Basic origination to god

Disguised and hidden deep within our human activities

How is God being heard in a new way today?

Especially in the cries of the suffering the poor in the world. This challenge the conscience of Christians

• Deepening Christians commitment

• Leading to the activities of social transformation

• Basic realization that is common to all

  • Theology of hope (waiting in hope)