5 min. read
Part 6 of Challenges
(Genesis 3:4-7)
"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."
We see the serpent here making his case after he had asked, "Yea, hath God said? in the first verse. We see the first tenured professor teaching class, and his first student and adherent was here introduced to the wonderful world of Mysticism. This new philosophy brought along with it immediate rewards -- as it continues to do today for all the pragmatic students drawn to it. We see the bad news in this verse.
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)
We see the good news here.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Visit the website for the Center for Contemporary Mysticism and you will be warmly welcomed. I'm sure that these folks are a group of wonderful people that are more than happy to help you down, to what seems at least to them, a magical path. They appear to be a sincere organization that offers some alternative ideas to "Yea, hath God said".
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
~ Teilhard de Chardin
"A doorway to many paths" is their, I assume, motto if you will.
This philosophy is not much different than Middle Eastern mysticism. That religion teaches that regardless of which side of the mountain you are climbing from, ultimately the top is where everyone converges. Or something to that effect.
Mysticism is an invitation to asking yourself many questions. The only questions that the proponents don't want you to ask is -- how does the philosophy align with scripture? They already assume that you have rejected clear Bible truth and have started on your own "path" toward your "truth" and enlightenment. Their philosophy is geared towards this mode of thinking.
In Christianity you have to worship the God of creation. In Mysticism, as with a number of false teachings, you get to journey down whatever path helps you discover the god within. Seems good on the surface. They would not have you bother with verses such as these.
"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 16:25)
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:" (Matthew 7:13)
Mysticism is a man-made religion. It is designed to cater to the flesh. Inner gratification apart from Bible truth. The "ways" could be construed as the "many paths" Mysticism speaks of. Unfortunately the Bible says they all end in death.
Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Mysticism says you can become a god from within. Notice Chardin says you are already naturally a "spiritual" being. God's word says we are dust...earthly.
James 3:15 sums up Mysticism in just a few words.
"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."
A wonderful thing about God is that he created us with free will. The ability to reason and decide for ourselves. I want to make this perfectly clear. I have no animosity for, nor am I trying to belittle or even proselytize anyone who has decided to go down the path of Mysticism. Where the problem comes into conflict with evangelical Christianity is when the philosophy of Mysticism begins blurring the lines of sound, fundamental, biblical teachings.
As a matter of fact, I would strongly urge anyone who has explored Mysticism to check out what God's word says about life and death. I know that there are many who have trusted others with their spiritual well-being and have not explored Christianity's teachings. Trust the One that created you, rather than man's philosophy of Mysticism.
This incursion into the church has been subtle, as was the approach in the Garden. It has all the allure of wonderful fruit, and it is being delivered by silver tongues.
We will close by comparing what Chardin had to say about being created as spiritual beings, and see how that is just a back door approach to what the serpent said when answering Eve, "your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods".
Moving along in the series, we will look at Mysticism and how it has gained entrance. Not only has it's philosophy entered, but it's teachings are being welcomed with open arms.
Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans.
"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."
My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart.
Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)
We see the good news here.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Visit the website for the Center for Contemporary Mysticism and you will be warmly welcomed. I'm sure that these folks are a group of wonderful people that are more than happy to help you down, to what seems at least to them, a magical path. They appear to be a sincere organization that offers some alternative ideas to "Yea, hath God said".
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
~ Teilhard de Chardin
"A doorway to many paths" is their, I assume, motto if you will.
This philosophy is not much different than Middle Eastern mysticism. That religion teaches that regardless of which side of the mountain you are climbing from, ultimately the top is where everyone converges. Or something to that effect.
Mysticism is an invitation to asking yourself many questions. The only questions that the proponents don't want you to ask is -- how does the philosophy align with scripture? They already assume that you have rejected clear Bible truth and have started on your own "path" toward your "truth" and enlightenment. Their philosophy is geared towards this mode of thinking.
In Christianity you have to worship the God of creation. In Mysticism, as with a number of false teachings, you get to journey down whatever path helps you discover the god within. Seems good on the surface. They would not have you bother with verses such as these.
"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 16:25)
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:" (Matthew 7:13)
Mysticism is a man-made religion. It is designed to cater to the flesh. Inner gratification apart from Bible truth. The "ways" could be construed as the "many paths" Mysticism speaks of. Unfortunately the Bible says they all end in death.
Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Mysticism says you can become a god from within. Notice Chardin says you are already naturally a "spiritual" being. God's word says we are dust...earthly.
James 3:15 sums up Mysticism in just a few words.
"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."
A wonderful thing about God is that he created us with free will. The ability to reason and decide for ourselves. I want to make this perfectly clear. I have no animosity for, nor am I trying to belittle or even proselytize anyone who has decided to go down the path of Mysticism. Where the problem comes into conflict with evangelical Christianity is when the philosophy of Mysticism begins blurring the lines of sound, fundamental, biblical teachings.
As a matter of fact, I would strongly urge anyone who has explored Mysticism to check out what God's word says about life and death. I know that there are many who have trusted others with their spiritual well-being and have not explored Christianity's teachings. Trust the One that created you, rather than man's philosophy of Mysticism.
This incursion into the church has been subtle, as was the approach in the Garden. It has all the allure of wonderful fruit, and it is being delivered by silver tongues.
We will close by comparing what Chardin had to say about being created as spiritual beings, and see how that is just a back door approach to what the serpent said when answering Eve, "your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods".
Moving along in the series, we will look at Mysticism and how it has gained entrance. Not only has it's philosophy entered, but it's teachings are being welcomed with open arms.
Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans.
"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."
My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart.
Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen
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