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This summer, at a writer’s conference I attended, popular Christian author Ted Dekker described himself as a “Christian mystic.” During that weekend, both in public sessions and private conversation, Dekker reinforced his claim. For example, his next fictional work is entitled The 49th Mystic. He favorably referenced William Paul Young and Richard Rohr, both whom could fall under the label of “Christian mystic.” In keynote sessions, Dekker referred to the Holy Spirit as our “Mother” and described the physical world as illusory. Again, mystical concepts and language. And in his new course, entitled The Forgotten Way, he appeals to esoteric concepts like “re-discovering” lost knowledge and seeking a new experience of God’s overflowing love.
This promo for The Forgotten Way describes the course thus:
The Forgotten Way Meditations is a journey of re-discovering the radical love, peace, and identity found in Yeshua so you can see and be differently.
Forgotten, because Yeshua’s simple path of awakening to love, peace and power in this life is rarely remembered (or understood) by millions of Christians weighed down with life’s cares and concerns. Way because it is a pathway we walk, not a checklist of rules to follow.
Enter the Way of Yeshua so easily forgotten. Take the journey from hate to love; from fear to faith. The journey from insecurity to complete rest. Here you will find peace in the storms; you will walk on the troubled seas of your life. Love, joy and peace will flow from you as living waters.
Throughout the promo material Dekker makes incredible claims like, “The whole world longs for the Way of Yeshua” and “An awakening is sweeping the world.” Couple this with the employment of mystical concepts and language (like “awaken to truth,” join in the “divine dance,” experience “new power,” etc.) as well as testimonials from initiates that learning this “forgotten way” will revolutionize your life, I couldn’t help but be suspicious.
Which I’m convinced is the appropriate posture to take.
Ted Dekker is not alone in his embrace of Christian mysticism. Evangelical Resources on Mysticism (along with its fairly helpful compilation of sources on the subject from an Evangelical perspective), notes that,
Mysticism exists in a myriad of forms. Within Christianity, it is seen in Roman Catholic teachings, the 20th century Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions, and in the Quakers. In the great three monotheistic religions, it is seen in the practices of the Gnostic Christians, the Sufi Muslims, and the Kabalistic Jews. Outside of monotheism, mysticism expresses itself in the Western New Age movement, as well as the Eastern Buddhism and Hinduism, Yoga, and Native American spirituality. (bold mine)
Because of this, defining mysticism can be somewhat difficult as there are many branches, forms, and syntheses. Catholic theologian Bernard McGinn defines Christian mysticism simply as,
“[T]hat part, or element, of Christian belief and practice that concerns the preparation for, the consciousness of, and the effect of […] a direct and transformative presence of God.”(McGinn, Bernard (2006), The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism, New York: Modern Library)
This idea of seeking and acquiring an experience of the “direct and transformative presence of God” is foundational for the Christian mystic. It assumes both
- a greater knowledge and experience of God/spiritual things is available, and
- intentional practices and pursuit of said knowledge and experience is critical for transcendence or living “fully”
Of course, lots of things intersect here. For example, what one believes (or does not believe) about God and Man comes into play. What one believes about the authority of Scripture and the parameters of “enlightenment” are important. Also, the person and work of Christ (His pre-eminence, atonement, and mediatorial work) are extremely important. And this is where one of the great dangers of Christian mysticism comes into play.
Without some boundaries, mysticism can veer into potentially dangerous, unorthodox, even occult areas.
This idea of “boundaries” is what prompted Evangelical blogger, Tim Challies, to write The Boundaries of Evangelicalism, and caution his readers about the “prevalence of mysticism” in the contemporary church.
As I survey the contemporary church, one of my gravest concerns is the power and prevalence of mysticism. It appears in pulpits, books, and conversation. It is at the heart of Sarah Young’s bestselling Jesus Calling, it is in all the much-loved books by John Eldredge, it fills the pages of so many books on spiritual disciplines or spiritual formation, it is almost everywhere you look. Language that was once considered the distinguishing language of mysticism is now commonly used by Evangelicals.
Mysticism was once regarded as an alternative to Evangelical Christianity. You were Evangelical or you were a mystic, you heeded the doctrine of the Reformation and understood it to faithfully describe the doctrine laid out in Scripture or you heeded the doctrine of mysticism. Today, though, mysticism has wormed its way inside Evangelicalism so that the two have become integrated and almost inseparable. In an age of syncretism we fail to spot the contradiction and opposition.
According to Challies, the two main biblical “boundaries” that mysticism potentially challenge are:
- the doctrine of Scripture alone (sola scriptura)
- the doctrine of faith alone (sola fide)
For example, in a recent Facebook post, I spoke critically of Christians who attempted to incorporate Eastern ideas and practices into a Christian worldview. I bemoaned, “That moment when you follow a ‘Christian’ writer’s FB comment to their personal page and discover they espouse aligning chakras, the power of the ‘divine feminine,’ and astrology. Ugh.” I was somewhat surprised to receive so much pushback from other professing believers. Like the following commenter who concluded, “Don’t knock something until you have opened your mind to it. Know the God of the bible… then go beyond.”
This idea of “going beyond” the Bible is intrinsic to much mystic thought. However, it potentially violates both the doctrine of “Scripture alone” and “faith alone,” opting instead for an experience of God that transcends the typical restraints of Scripture. In such a scenario, the mystic concludes there are no boundaries (or very few) to one’s experience of God. The experience alone is its justification and authority. Thus, you must “Know the God of the bible… then go beyond.”
Similarly, in The Forgotten Way Meditations, Ted Dekker describes the “revelations” which led him to the re-discovery of superior knowledge.
“Then I heard another thought , like a voice but not a voice at the same time. ‘Let go of all you think about Me, so that you can KNOW Me.’ Translation; Let go of your intellectual knowing, so that you can experience my love (to know in a biblical sense.)” (From The Forgotten Way Meditations, p. 22)
This idea of “letting go,” of surrendering “intellectual” knowledge for something deeper, more experiential is foundational to much Christian mystical thought. Often attached to this is the inference that biblical orthodoxy and/or traditional theological strictures are inadequate and must be transcended. Knowing the God of the Bible, according to the Christian mystic, often means going beyond the narrow confines of doctrine and its legalistic imposition.
But what if what we know about God is correct? What if the traditional theological parameters are INTENDED to keep us from going “beyond”? On what grounds can we distinguish the voice of God from the voice in our head, or the voice of the devil for that matter? If experience is the arbiter of truth, how in the world can we determine what is false?! And herein lies the potential problem with Christian mysticism — it swaps doctrine for experience, it subordinates what we know for how we feel.
Now, for the sake of clarity, let me shift gears here. What I am NOT suggesting is that mystical experiences should be shunned and that there are always clean, tight boundaries between doctrine, practice, and experience. I DON’T believe Christian mysticism (depending upon how one defines it, of course) is always inherently evil. I have benefited from some who could be labeled as Christian mystics and have had experiences that have challenged certain theological beliefs of my own.
With much hesitancy, I agree with Donald Miller when he said, “You cannot be a Christian without being a mystic.” Yes, there’s a lot to unpack and qualify there. However, the fact that strange, often unexplainable, weird things fill Scripture and Christian history is beyond dispute.
In my article, Another Perspective on Ghosts, I argue that “paranormal phenomenon does not always fit tightly into our theological framework.” I think the same could be said of mystical experiences.
It is simply too easy to resign all paranormal phenomenon into the category of the demonic. Samuel’s “appearance” [I Sam. 28] was not viewed as demonic, nor was the Transfiguration of Moses and Elijah [Matt. 17]. Furthermore, we have no need to “test the spirits and see whether they are from God” (I Jn. 4:1) if all spirits (or spiritual phenomenon) are categorically evil. So while the Bible cautions us about deceiving spirits, it does not go so far as to say that all “encounters” are necessarily of the “deceptive” order.
I understand that this might trouble some folks. The larger issue, as I see it, is coming to grips with the world we live in. Scripture paints a universe of vast mystery, teeming with intellects (visible and invisible) both good and evil, and phenomenon beyond our wildest imaginings. This is why the Bible contains wondrous stories — stories we often take for granted — about miracles, visions, reviving corpses, warrior angels, talking mules, fiery chariots, demonized swine, tongues and prophecies. We simply live in a supernatural world. The downside—paranormal phenomenon does not always fit tightly into our theological framework. Deal with it.
I think the same can apply to mystical experiences. We live in a weird, wonderful world and shouldn’t expect that all mystical experiences fit tightly into our theological framework. However, the Bible still provides a framework and cautions us about over-stepping its bounds.
In a private, group conversation with Ted Dekker at the aforementioned conference, he suggested that the apostle Paul was one of the great Christian mystics. I had to concede there was truth to that! Paul had many strange experiences of God. He was struck from his horse by God’s light on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9). He used “mystical” language, praying that God would open the eyes of our hearts (Eph. 1:18) and reveling in the fact that believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). In fact, the apostle Paul was even caught up to the third heaven, unsure whether he was “in the body or out,” and witnessed things that words could not describe (II Cor. 12). We cannot study the apostle Paul’s life without conceding the miraculous, mysterious, and, yes, even the mystical. However, that same apostle warned about “giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Tim. 4:1) and cursed anyone who would preach a false gospel (Gal. 1:8). In this way, he struck a balance, writing:
“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.” (I Thessalonians 5:19-21 NIV)
I think those words are a fitting framework for how we should approach the issue of Christian mysticism. We are to “test everything” — that means we shouldn’t blindly assume that every voice is the voice of God, or that every experience, no matter how profound, is legit. But in all our testing, we must not “put out the Spirit’s fire.” KJV translates that, “quench not the Holy Spirit.” Test, but don’t quench. Be critical, but not unbelieving.
The wrong thing to do is to embrace ALL mystical claims and experiences. Equally wrong is to reject ALL mystical claims and experiences. Test, but don’t quench. Cling to what is right and true. Maintaining this balance is one of the great challenges and dangers of Christian mysticism. How can we be open to new spiritual experiences and a deeper relationship with God without being driven by our emotions or ensnared by false doctrine? Must we go “beyond” the Bible in order to really know God? Then what good is the Bible if only to lead us to rewrite its boundaries? Is it possible to adhere to sound doctrine yet pursue more esoteric practices or experiences? If so, how do you know when such a doctrinal boundary has been reached?
Chesterton wrote, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” In realty, it is probably more true to say that the Way has been “found difficult; and left untried” than that it has been “forgotten.”
Which is why I’ve concluded that the best posture toward Christian mysticism and its claims is not indiscriminate embrace, but sober discernment.
I agree with you balance on this article, Mike. I seek the personal experience of God in my life myself and in that sense am a mystic. But I also believe our guide to truth lies in Scripture and study of Scripture alone.
Sola Scriptura – but we need guides to understand the Scripture. Don’t neglect the Church fathers. There are generations of Bible Study and lives lived, expressed in these writings. May I recommend Saint Isaac the Syrian and Saint Gregory of Nyssa? It is interesting that those who reject the Fathers, saying Sola Scripture, usually accept other authorities like Luther, Wesley, Matthew Henry or others. We cannot start from scratch every one of us. You will like the Fathers. Some of them, anyway.
Most of what is described here is Far Eatern mysticism: India farther east. Near eastern mysticism (if it could be called mysticism) is something different. The ancient Hebrew, pre- and maybe during, exile would fall under this. I would contend that this is the form of religion Jesus advocated, especially in light of the overt Hellenism of the Sadduces and covert Hellenism of the Pharisees.
I sensed a bit something…off about TD when he first promoted The Forgotten Way. His latest shtick reeks a bit of a Christianized Tony Robbins. As a fan of his work since the beginning, I find his recent forays into this degree of mysticism disconcerting.
Another troubling aspect of tbis is Dekker’s celebrity and platform. Many seem to accept his words uncritically because, well, he’s Ted Dekker.
Honestly, Dekkers writing and understanding of Christianity has not only impacted me as a filmmaker, but as a believer in Jesus Christ. His emotional arcs and the lows his characters experienced, I could relate to, as well as when the characters discover there is more to life then the pain the feel and the world they see…I love that he rarely shies away from darkness and thus the redemption of his characters often feels authentic, even if I’m not always sure what just happened.
From a spiritual standpoint, I love that his books have invoked for myself to delve deeper into my own relationship with God instead of just seeking entertainment as an artificial answer to my problems. Particularly in the A.D. series, the Circle Trilogy, and the Outlaw series, I found God healing the brokeness that I had hidden inside my heart for years. I began to read the Bible more regularly again, praying regularly as well and seeing the world around me the way that I had always desired since I was a small child: a world that God created to be perfect and, despite the infection of sin, still reflected God’s love and creativity.
That being said, when Dekker began releasing The Forgotten Way, I became intrigued, but with caution. Throughout his writing, as much as it inspired me on a creative level, I didn’t know how else to share it with others. I also found that while his work opened me to following Christ in an authentic way, it also opened me to being vulnerable to old sin nature habits I have been wrestling with for years.
I’ll be honest, Mike…Dekker had become a hero figure to me that I had put on a pedestal. Reading this blog was like a punch to the gut as I have wondered if everything that I had learned was a lie. That being said, I want to thank you for sharing the truth about Dekker. I would rather know the truth about a hero and see their flaws openly instead of only seeing what I want to see. After reading this article, I actually took one of his books back to the library (I was struggling with reading it anyways). I believe Dekkers books were in my life at the right time and God used that to bring me closer to him. However, I believe I am also moving past that phase in my life and see that there are more solid options out there…Thanks again, Mike.
Daniel, I’d encourage you to continue your research. Ted Dekker, like all of us, is a mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses, light and shadow. I also like certain aspects of Dekker’s novels and story-telling. It was learning about his new endeavor, his relationship with William Paul Young (author of The Shack), recommendation of Richard Rohr (religious progressive mystic), and more esoteric teachings that really made me take a step back.
I’m almost through reading the second “mystic” book. And I have to say, I think your worries about Dekker himself do no manifest in these books. Wherever he does make a “mystical” claim, he does include the reference in scripture that motivates his ideas. Nowhere in either of the books do I feel like he is saying “throw out intellect and only rely on your experiences”. I can’t say much about what he has said in person, but I can say I believe these two new books do strike a good balance between scripture and experience. If anything, the main idea he is exploring is “Even though you are saved ‘in the next life’, how are you supposed to live life now”. And ultimately the conclusion is “with love”. Even though he talks of mysticism, I believe he still strikes the balance you rightfully claim to be preferred here
Aaron, I also am almost through with the second mystic book. I’ve always loved Ted Dekker, but now I’m starting to get uncomfortable. Sin is not really sin, just a misperception, so genuine, heartfelt repentance isn’t really needed, especially since God won’t be judging anyone, His wrath is nothing to fear, everyone gets saved in the end, etc., etc. I’ve read the whole Bible through more times than I can remember, and these things are not sound theology! And who needs the cross and atonement if we are just misperceiving?
Even so, I have still found much good in these books, and also in The Forgotten Way, but, as a Christian counselor and a longtime disciple, I never want to downplay all that Christ accomplished on the cross or the power of deeply repenting of sin and being forgiven. The one who is forgiven much, loves much!!
Aaron he often takes scripture and inserts things into it to make it fit his story. It was one of the two main things that troubled me.
I feel like there are so many snares today for us, as Christians, to fall into. I too believe that there’s so much more out there than we can imagine about our God, so much we don’t understand or know, but He told us what we need to know. He asked for Faith. My “Filter rules” when listening to teachers or ideas: 1. The most obvious, What does scripture say about the idea? 2. Is this flesh-centric (something to make me “feel good/better”) or is it sharpening me?
I think that second part is the main trap. We’ve gotten so wrapped up in our ME culture, totally focusing on ourselves that anything that remotely challenges or chastises in scripture is seen as flexible, or “well, God is Love, so he didn’t really mean it”, rather than understanding some things will be instructive and a warning against corruption. This Christian Mystic stuff popping up is all related to that imo. It’s a way to escape the structure and live however we feel “lead”. The trouble is, we’re completely corrupt–“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?” Any sort of ultra-spiritualism will inevitably lead to becoming Humanism with a Christian face if not ultimately guided and centered by scripture.
Excellent points, Rachel. The reformers had it right when they proclaimed Sola Scriptura. The first test we need is what God already said. I kind of think that’s where Balaam got it wrong. He kept going back to see what else God had to say when he knew exactly what God had already said. Our problem is, we don’t like what he already said and/or we don’t believe it. We say we trust Him, but do we live as if we do?
And other spirits, Mike, I think refer to angels. Scripture says some believers actually entertained angels and weren’t aware of it. Angels are just as present and prevalent as demons. More so if only a third of the angels fell. So why shouldn’t angels be marching through the tree tops? Why shouldn’t those with us be more than those with them? Too often we picture us being attacked by demons but where are the angels? We only believe some of the Bible, I think.
Becky
Becky,
You are absolutely right that we walk also with angles, and God be thanked for that.
But the trouble is that
1) they very rarely speak to us
2) it is extremely difficult to discern between angels and fallen angels ‘on the fly’, so to speak. If we have time, we can test them. With time we can see if they don’t agree with Jesus and with Scripture. But on the fly, it is fraught with risk. I think this is why we have, as a religious tradition, become reluctant to and been advised against entering into contacts.
3) sadly, those who appear/speak/approach to us are usually the demons.
It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t remember the good angels and be grateful for their presence and protection. We certainly should. God be praised!
Mysticism sounds so appealing in kung fu movies. But when you’re down in the trenches, homeschooling five kids and trying to live on a single income, mysticism falls apart. What I find in the Bible is grace. It’s Rebecca drawing water for the camels without being asked. It’s Jesus saying, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” It’s not esoteric. It doesn’t demand hours of meditation to break through your own consciousness. There is grace extended to the tired, the hungry, the housewife who forgot to mop floors because the toddler used the toothpaste as finger paint.
Mysticism sounds good, but it demands that you seek out these experiences or else you don’t measure up. And worse, there’s not really a standard to measure up to, since mysticism is all about building your own goal posts. I’ve lived my life not measuring up. But Jesus reaches down to me with grace. He meets me where I am. I don’t have to go on walkabout. That’s why I pretty much disregard mystic teaching.
Well said, Kessie! Ultimately, mysticism is kind of elitist, I think — it encourages us to disconnect ourselves from the practical, hands-on business of daily living and our basic (even mundane) responsibilities to the other people in our lives, and seek some kind of transcendent intellectual/emotional/spiritual high that can only be attained through hours or days of solitude and inward contemplation. Certainly quiet time spent focusing on God is important, indeed essential to our spiritual growth and relationship with Him. But chasing a mystical experience that imparts secret knowledge over and above what we find in the Word of God is a different matter.
Some mystical experiences are God given, but they should not be sought for. God will give them sometimes – a little bit, I suppose, to every Christian, and very much to a few. The Spirit blows where He wills. We should be grateful for what we have. First of all, the promise and hope for salvation. The Grace that enables a bit of love to shine forth through hardened hearts. The support that never fails even us who so often fail Him.
I think God must be happy when someone devotes their life to serving him.
I don’t like Ted’s books. Just not to my tastes.
But I really enjoyed hearing him speak at the Realm Makers conference this past summer. I saw in him, a genuine, whole-hearted following after God. I heard it in his words and saw it in his face and in his behaviour at the conference. I think God must love it when someone’s heart is right. Even if they don’t understand the scripture the same way that I do.
Ted could have talked about how great he was and pumped up his books. But he was humble, confessing struggles in his life and spent his entire talk time talking about God and encouraging us in our relationship with Him.
Did I agree with everything Ted said?
No. But I saw his heart and appreciated where he was coming from.
And I think God did too.
Celesta, I don’t think sincerity is really the issue here. Many people are sincere about what they believe. But that doesn’t validate their beliefs. My sense is that Ted’s heart is in the right place with God. Yet that is not a Free Pass for doctrinal sloppiness.
Mike, your words have caused people on your blog and on Facebook to question Ted’s character and his relationship with God. My comment here is meant to address that.
Celesta, I don’t know Ted well enough to address his character. Which is why I’ve focused instead on his words and the overall trend of mysticism in the Church, which is the point of this post. If that causes people to be more discerning of their, or someone else’s beliefs, so be it.
During Ted’s sessions at Realm Makers I was AMAZED at how many verses he quoted, accurately and fluently. When he said that he and his wife study the Bible for hours each day, I believed him!
Some parts of the Bible aren’t easy to understand. If someone is understanding scripture and walking out the truths they see there a little differently than I am, it may not mean that they are wrong. Perhaps we are both converging on the same truth but coming from a different place and so our journeys look different. I feel this is the case with Ted Dekker.
I believe that anyone who has a genuine heart after God will find him and will, one day, know fully, when we see God face-to-face.
And I don’t think it’s wrong or dangerous to read Ted’s books or listen to his talks. Everyone’s journey with God is a beautiful thing, even if it doesn’t look the same as mine.
I am so glad I found your blog. I’ve had these concerns about Dekker since Three came out, and I felt uncomfortable about The Circle series for similar reasons. Now he’s clearly advocating the beliefs that I suspected were there even though I couldn’t point to specific statements as proof. There’s an undertone in all his fiction that has always bothered me, and I’m glad I’m not the only one. You are so right about balance.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for writing the dangers of Christian mysticism. I was checking out my fb and saw an advertisement for Ted Dekker’s “The Forgotten Way”. I thought to myself , “I know this name from somewhere”. Then I remembered his collaboration with Frank Peretti on the “House” book. I love Frank Peretti’s books, but the “House” collaboration was dark, and sinister and gave me nightmares for weeks. I have not read Ted Dekker’s novels and I think I will stay away from them. I am ok with Christian fictional novels. But, Ted Dekker, please stay away from Non-Fiction! The Forgotten Way is being promoted as a 21 day meditation type of book, some new, great revelation of obtaining the power and peace of “Yeshua” (notice he doesn’t call him Jesus.) Yes, I am aware that Yeshua means Jesus, but why not just say “Jesus”? I watched the promo video. Something felt “off”. I am acutely aware of false doctrine because I was deeply involved in it when I was led astray by it in my earlier Christian years. I know the terminology, I know the ideology that someone has found something beyond the Bible that adds to their experience of God. I would like to say, from personal experience, that what is beyond the Bible and what is beyond Jesus is demonic appearing as light. I know, because demons were attached to me as a result of me dabbling in this stuff. Yes, Christians can be demonized when they are led astray by false spirits. I used to think that the Bible was a “guideline” for life until I found myself clinging to it for truth! The Word of God, the Bible, is complete in all of it’s entirety. There is nothing that is to be added to the Bible or taken away from it. It is the inspired Word of God. Experiences are not truth. Feelings are not truth. The Word of God is truth. There are deceiving spirits who are always enticing believers away from the truth of the Gospel. Ted Dekker may very well be a good writer of fictional novels, but I would beware of reading and following “The Forgotten Way” book of meditations as truth. There is a little bit of truth weaved with some twisting of scripture and false statements. His first “declaration”, I am ok with the first part of it, but it is not true that there is nothing that can bother God. God is very bothered by our sin and willful disobedience of Him. Declarations 2-5 are convoluted and deceptive and the new age mumbo jumbo starts flowing freely. There are no new revelations, other then what is in Scripture. We are made in his image, that does not mean we are one with God or Divine. I have a close family member who is a teacher and follower of Eastern Mysticism, Shamanism, and other occult practices. I am very familiar with the teachings and terminology. I know all about “Oneness” (Rasha wrote the book on that) and letting go of “attachments” (think Zen, Buddha). Christians, let’s not walk over that bridge, please stay true to God’s word, the Bible.
Amber,
If you read Dekker’s new books you will find that he actually bases and he says off of scripture and never once claims that what he says goes beyond scripture. He also never says that experience is truth. Instead it’s the other way around. One we realize the truth of Jesus and how we are made in God’s image, then we experience life how God intended us to.
As for God being bothered by our sin, I don’t buy that. If we are told in the Bible that love holds no account of evil (keeps no record of wrong), and if we believe that God is love, then we must conclude that God cannot be bothered by our sin. All he can do is unconditionally love us, which means unconditional forgiveness.
I would say read the books and understand the ideas before you condemn them.
This is a great article. I’ve read Dekker for years but avoid the gory books. With regards to God not being bothered or troubled (by our sin), that concerns me in both the Forgotten Way and in the 49th Mystic. God is Holy. He lives in unapproachable light we are told in scripture. Thus He sent His son Jesus to the cross to pay the price for our sin. If He was not bothered by our sins and fears then Christ’s sacrifice would not have been necessary. And it is only through this costly sacrifice that God has chosen not to keep a record of our wrongs, but we shouldn’t take that lightly and think that our sin is taken lightly. Hebrews 10:26-31 speaks to this. Do I think He is bothered in the same way we are, emotionally unstable at times, restless and fretful? Not at all. But His nature requires that sin be dealt with in a most catastrophic way so I conclude that it must be of grave and deep concern to Him, so much so that Christ continues to intercede for us day and night at the right hand of the Father.
Dekkers books have taught me that we can remain unrattled in all our circumstances as we remain in Christ and He in us, yet his comfort with delving into evil is disturbing when the Bible tells us to flee even the appearance of it, so I read him occasionally with a keen eye to what scripture says.
Again I found your article most helpful. I think the challenge we face (and I do) is that when we read a compelling storyteller like Dekker it’s easy to pick up the novel and read and let it take the place of time spent in the Word. This is where we have to stop, discern and set aside any distraction. Preaching my soul a sermon here!
“Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4)
So, Aaron. Just one question regarding, “God not being bothered by our sin(s)”. How is it that according to Genesis, God was so grieved by human sin (which had reached the point that all man’s inclinations had become corrupt and evil continually) that he decided to destroy all mankind alive at the time….and did exactly that, save Noah & his family? So no, it’s not true that “all God can or will do is unconditionally love us”.
Yes that is true Greg. However the bible also says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. That is the gospel that speaks to His unconditional love for us. It is out of that love that we were given The Ultimate Sacrifice in His Son Jesus Christ! We are to test every spirit to see if it is from the Lord.
The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit is grieved when we sin. God was bothered enough by evil on earth once that he sent a flood. And there are many Scriptures that speak of God’s hatred of sin. Yes I am forgiven when I confess and am and cleansed by the blood of Jesus, but it hurts me when I know I have grieved God and to say he isn’t affected by the sin of his children is not scriptural.
Amber, amen amen amen, sister! Anyone coming out of the new age, or studied in khundalini yoga who then learned of Christ, would be well aware of demons & their false doctrine. No where in scripture, especially the NT, are we led to believe that we ought to be meditating for hours, aligning chakras, & opening our third eye. Now, these ‘Christian’ writings may not be as blatant as that, but instead of asking God, talking with God, communing with God, they’ll allude to a practices well known in the new age, such as manifesting & using the law of attraction, but sugar coat it with Christian words. Meditation is mentioned in the Bible, as well as fasting, but this means to meditate on the word of God, & focusing on our Creator, YHWH, rather than emptying the mind, like in eastern meditation. My point here, others who’ve experienced demonic attacks first hand by practicing these things (like my self) and came to Christ because of needing someone to save them here in the physical, and the now, like myself, can easily spot when the face of a Christian is hiding these enlightenment practices in a blanket of Christianity. The serpent in the garden taught the same thing, ‘open your eyes, and you’ll be like God’. They call it the new age, but it’s still the same ol’ tactic by the serpent in Eden. Let us not fall for it again. Traditional, biblical Christianity, focusing on what Christ did for us, repenting of our sin, & not practicing sorcery, sexual immorality, hate, & unforgiveness, these things are simple, even a child could understand, they’re what our Heavenly Father has asked of us, to keep us safe & sound & these are the things we ought to do, to feel close to God, knowing that, although we are not perfect, we are doing our best to live by the rules and our faith in Christ reconciles us back to Him. Personal experiences matter, in that, there are thousands of online testimonies ‘new age to Christ’ ‘witchcraft to Christ’ yogi to Christ’ & most have in common this, these practices opened the individual up to demonic attack, and Christ saved them. I shouldn’t be commenting because I have not read this man’s work, but everytime I hear Christian mystic, I think it’s no good, yet, I don’t want to judge what I’ve not tried, but it seems as, I’ve tried it, just under another name. I read your comment, & everything you’ve said is exactly what I understand to be true, thru my studying, my research, & my own experience. Believers, the rules our God set forth, was/is different from the other nations. He cared for Israel, while the others were under fallen elohim. Christ’s work on the cross brought believers into covenant & made us children of the promise given to Abraham. Let us not do what the nations do. Israel was never taught by God to worship Him in this way. If it’s somewhere in scripture, point me to it. YHWH bless you all.
First off I’d like to start by saying I am a devout follower of Christ. He is the center of my life and sits on the throne of my life. I also love Ted Dekker. Not in the same way mind you because Ted writes fiction and God wrote scripture that is without fault. Ted is a man that is flawed like we all are.
I believe God can use all things for good for His glory and we as humans have no control over that. He is God!
Here is where I have a problem though. I have long wondered why most Christians are afraid of the supernatural power of God and the supernatural realm. Paul says we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities. To me the argument can be likened to the same one about gun control. It’s not the guns fault that some people use it for evil.
I believe the churches are so scared that there will be a enormous amount of people tapping into the spiritual side of things and that it will be used for evil. Undoubtedly it will. There are evil people in the world. But there are also a lot of Christ followers who are trying to fight the evil with prayer and if that’s not supernatural I don’t know what is.
Give Ted a break, he really does want to break the old cliches we have been taught that are not exactly true. You can’t argue that man hasn’t gotten away from the original teachings of Christ. We’ve interjected a whole lot of what we want into our doctrine now days. He’s just trying to get us to look past that. Regardless of what other people have said I’ve haven’t heard him use the words chakras or anything else Eastern religion related other than meditation and I did that long before he came.
In the end we have to test everything we read against scripture. God insist on it and so should we. But don’t criticize a man who is lead to try to lead others to a deeper relationship with God unless you have something truly unbiblical to show. There is a supernatural realm and God lives in it! Thank goodness because I couldn’t survive if I thought this was all there was.
There is a lot of wisdom in all of these comments. Praise God! We are right to be discerning. My question for my part is that would this be helpful for those who feel they have been so consumed by this life’s system (certainly feels like a beast system to me!) that they feel they have trouble connecting with God? I myself have never read Ted Dekker but I just purchased “The Forgotten Way” with the study guide as a possible small group Bible study. Being as it is, using wisdom and discernment I wanted to see what critics of dekker said before I read it. We know this world is made up of the unseen because the Bible tells us it is. God is also the judge of the heart. There may be some who want to “go beyond” what the Bible says, but that’s where I draw the line. I will be reading and checking everything with Scripture. I ask my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to pray with and for me that the Holy Spirit guide me in Truth, and give me the wisdom and discernment to test and see whether the spirit is of God. May God bless you all!
Well, for how well one might know scripture it does read, Therefore judge nothing before the proper time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 6Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over another. 7For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? (1 Cor 4:6-7) 1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” There is a big difference between ‘taking poetic license with his word and making it one’s own’ and The WORD itself. “The Forgotten what?”..was anything actually ever ‘Forgotten”? Of course not. The difference lies in Revelation From God, and that no mysticism can ever beat. Is He is Speaking Today to us in His Son, ‘The Holy Spirit”. There’s nothing new under the sun. I’m reading a book now, “into the Depths of God’ (Calvin Miller) he quotes ‘mystics’ from way in the past including Thomas Merton (who was a’catholic/trappist/buddhist monk’..despite that what they might say is actually true or not, the issue is ‘where isThe Spirit.? My Words are spirit and they are Life’..the mystics are self.
To clarify, I do not see Paul as ‘mystic’, he received Revelation to mysteries hidden with Scripture. Galatians 1:11 For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not devised by man. 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. ” 1 Corinthians 2:10
But God has ‘Revealed’ it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even The Deep Things of God” Ephesians3:2 Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the Mystery made Known to me by Revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into The Mystery of Christ, 5 which “was not” made known to men in other generations as it has now been Revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.…’
Hi Mr Duran. I have read Ted’s recent books with interest. I guess maybe I am dense but I always thought he was using his storytelling just to reinforce his biblical teaching. The New Testament to me has always been very difficult to understand. For instance, why did we have the Law only to have Christ negate it, (for lack of a better term)–that is give a New Covenant? Can we truly love God if we actually fear his retribution, (the Bible seems to say no at least in the NT)? When God asks us to love our enemies and that our Love will show if we are His, does He not love us in the same way? When Jesus says for us to “hate our mothers/fathers, etc” if we are to follow Him, what then does He mean by this? Do we truly know God’s thinking so well that we can be certain who will be saved and who won’t? Can we truly experience or even know, the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth? If so, then how? We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God—must we fear always if we’ve done things just right to be sure we’ve atoned for that? Is it just that we speak and say we trust Christ and that’s it? What about those who can’t speak or that can’t think that critically?
Ted’s teaching has helped me to understand the NT, I think??? I got the feeling he was only trying to elucidate the teachings of Jesus, Paul, John, Matthew etc to try and help people lead a more Christ-centered and Christ-pleasing life while living in these temporal bodies. He readily seems to admit he doesn’t know the mind of God and who exactly will ultimately be saved. I do always get a little worried when biblical quotes are taken out of context but on the other hand the totality of the Bible can leave me scratching my head as well…..I do appreciate your thoughts but the whole thing can leave a lay person bumfuzzled sometimes. I have always loved preachers like Alistair Begg, RC Sproul, etc but even they often leave me wondering about many things in the New Testament…..guess I’ll just keep asking the Good Lord to help me….! tim
I want to share my story here. I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic School for 12 years. My mother was a card reader and my father would divine water which helped him with his job. When I was in my early 20’s I left the Catholic religion and got involved in the New Age. We were taught that we are one with God and there is no hell/heaven and no such thing as sin. We were taught to love everyone no matter what they were doing. I got deeply involved in the occult thinking I was a white witch and became an Astrologer, studying for 15 years! Finally I had a spiritual experience where I felt the love of God. I then went down the yellow brick road into what I thought was Christianity. I got completely away from New Age and Astrology and
Eastern Religions, etc. (so I thought). I had done it all and tried everything up until this point. I got involved in a Pentecostal campground that had a lot of supernatural experiences. I was involved in this for about 20 years or more. I followed all the s0-called prophets and read all the books. I got involved in the revival in Toronto at the Airport church. I made many trips to Toronto. I had a deliverance ministry and studied Theophostic counseling, Ritual Abuse, exocism on haunted houses, etc. I focused on spiritual meditation, spent hours praying in tongues and many days fasting. People loved me as I moved in the prophetic and they all wanted “a word”. I got tired of people liking me because of what I could do for them and I began to seek God for the Truth. Through all this mess, I loved God with all my heart. One thing I didn’t know was the Scriptures. God very slowly led me out. It was a hard and narrow road. He taught me to beware of fallen angels and divination. He put me in a church that was strong in the “Word”. I am now 68. I believe that Jesus is the only way. People call me narrow-minded but I tell them I”m walking the narrow road. I am so glad that Jesus delivered me! In the last days many will be deceived!
“But what if what we know about God is correct? What if the traditional theological parameters are INTENDED to keep us from going “beyond”? On what grounds can we distinguish the voice of God from the voice in our head, or the voice of the devil for that matter? If experience is the arbiter of truth, how in the world can we determine what is false?! And herein lies the potential problem with Christian mysticism — it swaps doctrine for experience, it subordinates what we know for how we feel.”
I don’t know about you but a doctrine that is set up to limit our spiritual potential does not sound like a good thing. Also, just because you transcend the intellectual does not mean that it goes away, the intellectual realm still exists in union with God once transcended, actually I’ll go to the extent of saying that the intellectual doctrine is even understood at a much more deeper level once transcended because you are now free from it.
God is love” is quoted by many. This was part of what led me away from Christ Jesus. Since many would not accept that God is also just, not just love. When we meditate on love instead of on Jesus Christ ( the only way to GOD), when we focus on emtional love instead of God’ s love demonstrated through His giving of His only son – saviour Jesus Christ, when we entertain and follow ‘angels’ ( often demons transformed as light), when we agree with mystic thought and experience instead of with Holy Spirit ispired truth as per sola scriptura, we are being decieved. Beacause the Holy Spirit gave us scripture as a means of boundary as much as it leads us into the freedom and union with God. And since the scriptures was Holy Spirit inspired as our guideline, the Holy Spirit Always points to the glory and Diety of Christ Jesus only, and Christ Jesus to the glory of JHVH God only. Jesus Chrust sais that there is no way to His Father God except through himself Alone.
To accept ‘knowledge’ or ‘revelation’ or ‘ experiences’ nudging that there is onother way/ diety/ truth into GOD besides through Jesus Christ- “The way, The truth, The life” is of lucifer the deciever., the prince of the air (first heaven). lucifer’s own desire and deception is make us believe that there is any way into GOD Most High, even through the ‘realisation’ that we are GOD ourselves. Dont fall for lucifer’s final plan- one world religion- the religion of self realisation as GOD. We are nothing aoart from Christ Jesus- in whom alone we can abide in GOD Most High, amen.
Paul yeah unfortunately, I think this may be part of what led me away from Him, too? Thank God that He doesn’t let us go that easily, tho! I came back, at first, almost against my will.
It’s still a bit hard for me to know how to live sometimes tho without love and the heart being the basis for anything.
But my only hope is God, to guide me as I go!!
As for the person on fb who mentioned her acceptance of sujects like aligning your ‘chackra to experience God more, is decieved. I did all that when I opened my mind to hunduism, other eastern religions, etc.
Chackra is actualy the ‘ snake- like spirit’ which all supposedly have running down our spine into the belly. (Snake? Reallly? Does that sound like the Holy Spirit or satan ?) Satsn is the old serpent. Then you are supposed to transcedentally ‘align’ your ‘chakra’ with the universe’s vibrations. God says even His elect will be decieved . Christ Jesus died for us, and rose and gave the Holy Spirit of truth ( Jesus’s truth) to dwell in us who believe, And Jesus is ine with the Father.
In hinduism I followed a ‘jesus’, but when i came to the true Jesus Christ, only begotten of the Father most high, i realised that i was servibg a false spirit, a different Jesus. I believed a doctrine of demons, as tgere are many fakse Jesus s , as satan himself tried to claim that he is God.
Did any of those others ‘enlightened’ who claimed to be a way to GOD give their live for you? No only Jesus Christ showed such a great LOVE to pay for you with his own life. And only Jesus Christ claimed to be the only way to God- not much of a ‘we all are one and the same thing in our group hug universe”‘ mentioned there eh? No chakras or self flaggelations to know God more, just unmerited grace bought with God’ s only begotten son Jesus Christ of Nazareth who suffered and paid for us once and for all….
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ, that whoever believe in him will have life eternal. John 3:16.
We cannot drink the cup of the Lord and of demons.amen
Praise be to God most high
You said “On what grounds can we distinguish the voice of God from the voice in our head, or the voice of the devil for that matter?” I will counter with…you decide to trust the words of someone else “the Bible” as God breathed. How do you know it is to be taken literally or separating the chaff from the seed (as not all is fit to eat) or anything of that matter? When a mystic is as sure or even more so than someone taking the Bible literally…where is the danger? God telling you to treat all beings with love or God telling you that not suffer a witch to live? I’d say it’s very easy to see which one might be more dangerous. For me getting direction from God within…always comes first and is direction leads me to the passages that are of him…in the Bible or other scripture. We did not come into the world with a book attached. God has a way to be within from the very spark of being.
Ted Dekker’s descriptions of his characters coming to know God sound a lot like the kundalini awakening experience. Power & warmth moving up the spine to the brain, exploding into light, for example. I just started reading his books in the last several months & have had my discernment meter go off quite a few times. I read Three, Water Walker, AD 300, Outlaw, and the 49th Mystic. I find he takes liberties with Scriptures. In the journal at the back of 49th Mystic, he fills in Talya’s interpretations in brackets, many based on the idea of polarity vs non-. I don’t think Jesus really taught that concept. It sounds New Age to me. I’m not saying Ted is demonic, but “even the devils know Scripture.” I think this many people having a sense that something is “off” is proof enough that something is. I very much enjoyed his edge of your seat, page-turner storytelling, but I think the 49th Mystic is the last one for me.
Brenda, the Bible describes two “books” to guide us — nature and Scripture. All humans have a conscience, the Moral Law is written on our hearts, and the heaven declares God’s glory, leading us to a rudimentary knowledge of God. This is called “general revelation.” Scripture is considered “special revelation” in that it clarifies and specifies God’s Law, His true nature, purposes and desires. The fundamental danger of “getting direction from God within” is knowing whether it’s really God who’s speaking or the individual (or someone more malevolent). Stoning a witch, for example, was a specific old testament command for a specific people at a specific time. Studying the whole of Scripture would reveal that that command is no longer binding. So it’s God’s Word, when properly understood, that leads us to truth… not a subjective “god within.”
“…the Bible describes two ‘books’ to guide us – nature and Scripture”. Well said! But you left out a third – and it is important. I am referring to history. The Jews were and are an historical people. The thought of a religious life separated from history would have made no sense to biblical Israel . In fact, God’s saving acts in history distinguished for the Jews God’s nature and will in a way that was impervious to the vagaries of the imagination and will. I will wrap up my comment with what I believe is the lesson of Scripture. “Mysticism is what happens to us when history is abandoned”. Genuine Spirituality, on the other hand, embraces symbiotically both our inner and outer worlds. In the Power of His Resurrection, it is a symphony for the soul.
Very timely, this being Pentecost Sunday.
Hi Mike,
It is interesting that you called Paul a mystic. It is also interesting that you called him an apostle, and he never knew Christ in the flesh. This is the standard terminology in the church, that Paul was an apostle of Christ, however. Do you think the writings attributed to Paul balance or contradict each other and other scriptures? Do you think there is anything to the modern heretical Gnostics like Elaine Pagels who say Paul is a Gnostic? Our Pauline churches are full of space cadets who want to ignore Matthew 5:17 and use faith and grace as an excuse for relativism. Would a resurgence of Irenaeus help? How can the church not see that people are picking up these mystic ideas from movies, music, and Transcendental authors in school, not realizing that to be an entertainer means to entertain demons?
God does what He wills, in the Heavens and the Earth. What human being knows 100% what the Lord does for His own will?
Not bad at all to question and discern what is truly from the Lord… or other. But…. true faith will eventually lead us to the truth about most….. including Mystical leadings.
Mystical experiences truly should take time to pray over, study , pray again, and wait for responses. Sometimes it comes, sometimes not. Our deep faith will lead us on, regardless.
If mystical experiences and thoughts lead us against God in any way……well,,,,,, their’s your answer.
Thank you for the post. I loved reading Ted dekker when I was younger and wanted to finish reading the circles series but a part of me said to do some research. Thank God I listen to the Holy Spirit. Can you recommend some good Christian authors that does not go against scripture? Thank you
Oh, so many their’s not enough room for them all.
All writings of St Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, “Imitation of Christ’ by Thomas a Kempis, St. Rose of Lima, etc. etc.
The sad thing (especially in American Christianity) is that many congregations in this country teach unbelief. “Once saved always saved” “Just pray Jesus into your Heart” and then comes along a guy like Ted Dekker and because his experience is so different than “ours” we just condemn him as a heretic or someone to run from.
But yet, how many people in churches TRULY believe in miracles? Many say they do, but if a miracle were to be performed right in front of them today they would say the same thing they said about Jesus: HE IS OF THE DEVIL. How many people blindly follow traditions and holidays that are baked in with pagan rituals and symbols like Christmas? And how many churches and Christians in 2021 are in bed with this delusion of Nationalism that turns their nose up to the rest of the World? And the occult is just a gateway to Jesus. Many wrapped up in those things are truly seeking God (more than most Christians I have encountered) but yet many in churches just disregard these people and label them all kinds of names because they don’t worship like we do. I’m 42. I have encountered 2 gospels in the walk and journey with Jesus.
A. Powerless gospel of sin management. Just hop on the struggle bus of sin you wretched awful person!
B. Gospel of supernatural transformation via Jesus/Holy Spirit (true gospel)
In many of the circles I used to run in, if I talk about B too much I will get called “New Age” or blah blah. Or if I talk about Contemplative Prayer (christian meditation) I get treated like I’m some Buddhist heretic. All because we mostly have a very weak and distorted view of what it true Christianity. “Mystic” is just a word. It’s a label. Labels are demonic. Because they make us compartmentalize people, experiences, how we love, how we judge. Satan loves nothing more than division. At the end of the day does Ted Dekker bear good fruit? Does he love the God of the Bible? I once was taught to never question or doubt the Bible. And that is a dangerous doctrine in and of itself. Yet, “Christians” get wrapped up in all kinds of delusional conspiracies and want to question everything else in society. The way for me to arrive at the true Gospel IMO was to question and doubt. And what I encountered was a much richer and deeper relationship with Scripture, God and deeply loving others and a practice of forgiveness. How many people really fast in American churches? Not just from TV or chocolate? Do you know that deep and long fasting actually produces psychedelic experiences like that of hallucinogenic drugs? The last thing reading and following “mystic” teachings has made me do is to think of myself as elite. It has done quite the opposite and made me feel very small and caused me to ditch my ego. Which is a good thing and very foreign in many spaces in Christianity I have been a part of. Somebody mentioned a negative view of “losing attachments”. But yet we have Jesus teachings on the rich young ruler and his attachment to money. How many churches exist where they truly sell possessions and help those in need in America?
Many are waking up. And this is bad news for the spiritual forces in opposition to God. I sense it is only going to get worse. And in this day and age the World needs more people like Ted Dekker and not less.