Christian Mysticism/Occult/Sorcery

[Michael_the_Crusader]

Hi all, I am new here, and this is a topic I greatly enjoy.
The Bible have some things to say about sorcery, but I want to argue that the Bible might refer solely to magick as a medium to deal with the Devil or demons.

But I also want to argue that you can achieve greater understanding of God’s will by mystical practice, by call on the guidance of angels and petition for God’s presence through creative rituals, to cleanse yourself and gain divine inspiration and maybe even prophecy.

Isn’t the Bible written through this method, by God acting through the prophets?

I hope for a good discussion.

 

[poche]

St John of the Cross and others tell us that the end of public revelation ended with the death of the last apostle, John. Prior to the coming of Jesus it was permitted to consult the Lord in this way because the public revelation was not complete.
Today it is discouraged because to search for mystical experiences is a sign of lack of faith. The devil is on the lookout for this desire in people and is able to ape many of the same mystical experioences in order to lead us astray.

 

[rom]

Welcome to the forum, Michael.

I, too, like the subject of Christian Mysticism. But I must disclose that I am neither a sorcerer nor a magician, so I don’t know whether I am qualified to talk about sorcery or magic. The only encounter I have with the Devil or with demons is when I try to resist their temptations. These temptations are sometimes very strong, and they won’t leave me alone. I must be the Devil’s favorite, because he spends an awful lot of time with me, trying to convince me that his way is the best way.

I agree with you that one of the best ways to achieve a greater understanding of God’s will is by the practice of Christian mysticism, which is basically living a life of grace. Yes, I also pray to my guardian angel everyday, and recently I have been praying a lot to St. Michael the Archangel, too.

Cleansing yourself from sin is your best option if you want to be a Christian mystic. We all have to start with that one, as St. John of the Cross said. But, as far as divine inspiration and prophecy is concerned, God will give it to you, not when you want it, but when He wills it.

I take it that when you speak of “divine inspiration,” you mean the simple inspiration to do good, not the inspiration to write a sacred book. All the books of the Bible have already been written, so you and I can no longer expect to receive that kind of inspiration from Him.

Also, I don’t know if you are aware, but prophecy in the Bible does not mean predicting the future. In Holy Scripture, a prophet is God’s spokesperson. If God wants to give a message to the world, He might choose someone to act as His spokesperson. That person then becomes a prophet. The prophet delivers God’s message to the people, and explains it to them. This is why many people also regard the prophet as a teacher, because the prophet explains the content of God’s message. But the prophet does not become a prophet unless God chooses him. In a sense, prophecy is a gift, as St. Paul tells us (Rom 12:6). And it is not wrong to pray for this gift. But as St. Paul is quick to add, prophecy is not the highest of the gifts. “Be zealous for the better gifts,” he says, “and I show unto you yet a more excellent way” (1 Cor 12:31). Then in the next chapter in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, he identified the best gift of all: charity. “If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (1 Cor 13:1).

Well, that’s all for now. I think I spoke too much.