Praise God Good Newspaper, I would like to know what mysticism is. Are there types of mysticism, and is it in the Bible? Edgar Masinko
Thank you, Edgar, for the question and thank you for reading the paper. I will go directly to the question.
What is mysticism
The word mysticism comes from the Greek verb μύω (myō), meaning “to close the eyes or lips,” especially in connection with initiation into sacred mysteries. From this comes:
- μυστής (mystēs) – an initiate into the mysteries.
- μυστήριον (mystērion) – a mystery or secret.
In the Greco-Roman world, the “mysteries” referred to secret religious rites that were revealed only to initiates, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries or the cult of Dionysus.
In modern theology, however, mysticism generally means the pursuit or experience of direct communion or union with God that transcends ordinary intellectual knowledge.
A broad definition would be mysticism is the belief or practice that one can know or experience ultimate reality or God through direct spiritual encounter rather than merely through rational thought or external religious rituals.
Notice two important elements:
- Knowledge by experience
- Direct encounter with the divine
These are not necessarily unbiblical. The question is how that encounter is understood.
Types of mysticism
- Apophatic (negative) mysticism. God is known by transcending all categories. The soul is emptied (kenosis) to receive God.
- Kataphatic (affirmative) mysticism. God is known through images, symbols, and positive attributes
- Unitive mysticism. The soul is absorbed into or united with God, including potentially unio mystica where personal distinctness dissolves.
- Kabbalistic mysticism. In Judaism, the ten sefirot (divine emanations) provide a map of reality through which the mystic ascends, culminating in devekut (cleaving to God).
- Merkabah mysticism. A Second Temple and early rabbinic tradition of heavenly ascent, beginning with Ezekiel’s merkabah (divine chariot), involving journeys through heavenly palaces (hekhalot). Connected to the Apocalyptic literature.
Religious mysticism
Nearly every religion has mystical traditions.
Examples include:
- Hindu Yoga
- Buddhist meditation
- Jewish Kabbalah
- Islamic Sufism
Each aims for union with ultimate reality, but their understanding of God differs fundamentally.
Are there mystics in the Bible?
By experience if not by category:
- Enoch: “walked with God and was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24)
- Moses: direct speech with God “face to face” (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8), his face shining with divine radiance (Exodus 34:29–35)
- Elijah: the still small voice at Horeb (1 Kings 19:12–13); taken up in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11)
- Isaiah: throne vision (Isaiah 6)
- Ezekiel: extended chariot and heavenly visions (Ezekiel 1, 8–11, 40–48)
- Daniel: apocalyptic visions involving heavenly ascent (Daniel 7–12)
- Paul: 2 Corinthians 12:1–4, Acts 9 (Damascus road), Acts 22 (temple vision)
- John of Patmos — “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10), the entire Apocalypse
Is there dangerous mysticism?
Yes.
Scripture warns against forms of spirituality disconnected from God’s revelation.
Examples include:
- Deuteronomy 18:9–14 (divination, sorcery, consulting spirits)
- Isaiah 8:19 (mediums and necromancers)
- Acts 8 (Simon Magus seeking spiritual power)
- Acts 19 (magic arts in Ephesus)
- Colossians 2:18 (false humility, angel worship, and visions detached from Christ)
The danger is not spiritual experience itself but seeking knowledge, power, or communion apart from God’s self-revelation in Christ.
Biblical mysticism versus pagan mysticism
| Biblical | Pagan |
| God initiates | Humans seek hidden powers |
| Christ-centered | Self-centered |
| Based on revelation | Based on secret techniques |
| Personal God | Often impersonal absolute |
| Scripture governs experience | Experience governs truth |
| Produces holiness | Often seeks altered consciousness |
| Relationship | Absorption |
A Biblical theology of mysticism
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture presents a pattern that differs from many mystical traditions:
- God initiates. Humanity does not ascend to God by technique; God graciously reveals himself (Genesis 12; Exodus 3; Hebrews 1:1–2).
- Revelation is covenantal. God’s self-disclosure is given within his covenant relationship with his people, culminating in Jesus Christ.
- Experience serves revelation. Visions, dreams, and encounters confirm or communicate God’s word; they do not replace it.
- Union without absorption. Believers are united to Christ by the Spirit (Romans 6; John 15), yet they do not lose their personal identity. The Creator–creature distinction remains.
- Transformation is the goal. The fruit of communion with God is holiness, love, obedience, and conformity to Christ (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18), not merely extraordinary experiences.
Thus, the Bible is deeply “mystical” in the sense that it teaches genuine communion with the living God and participation in Christ through the Holy Spirit. At the same time, it rejects mystical systems that seek hidden knowledge, impersonal union with the divine, or spiritual power apart from God’s revelation.
The centre of biblical spirituality is not a technique or an altered state of consciousness but the person of Jesus Christ, in whom the mystery of God’s saving purpose has been fully revealed (Colossians 1:26–27).
