Examining Mysticism in Today's Culture

Join us for our discussion with theologian Andrew Root on his book The Church in An Age of Secular Mysticism. In a world flooded with spiritualities promising personal transformation, Root sheds light on the differences between these mysticisms and authentic Christian transformation. We'll explore the dangers of following or adapting these reigning mysticisms and learn why the self has become so important yet so burdened with guilt--and how we should think about both. Root will present a better way--even a mysticism--centered on the theology of the cross that pastors and leaders can use to form their own imaginations and practices.
For secular mysticism explained and how a Christian should approach mysticism, tune in to this episode of The Remnant Radio!
Andrew Root (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is the Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN.
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[@mrgallbladder]

I usually dislike intros in general and think most videos can do away with them, but I don't think I could get tired of yours.

[@stephenbailey9969]

I was an atheist most of my life and spent quite a bit of time studying Buddhist psychology and practicing Zen meditation. I experienced some of the standard altered mental states. The end of all that process, similar in all the schools of Buddhism, is a sense of nothingness/emptiness, the dissolution of self as concept in mind and letting mind just flow. But after it all, one is left exactly as one has been with all the previous issues, maybe with a few extra coping mechanisms. This is quite different from the power of Christ that arrives through the Holy Spirit and changes who we are in a fundamental way. What arrives is presence and communication, with the Lord and with other people. What is experienced is a new kind of life in which a person is connected to living as never before. From this communion with the Lord flows a new kind of love which is not inward centered but rather outward centric. Just as Christ embraced us, we then embrace others and the whole world. This is very practical in its daily application. No navel gazing here.

[@punkdrummr2000]

Brother, this is 100, the emptiness then discovered THE presence and communication. It is incredible and more real than anything.

[@lauriegrizzard3901]

Thank you for sharing your personal experience and articulating the differences of the new flow of love you received from Christ versus trying to love without Him.

[@Chupie77777]

Man, please pray for me to have this!!

[@ToOpen6seven]

@@punkdrummr2000 Are you born-again or not? That is what the Bible says one must be to be in true communion with God. There are so many false Christs out there. We are changed for good when we are saved and we are cleansed daily by Holy Word of God founds in the KJV Bible. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 kjv 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

[@ilanagreen5371]

Would love to hear Remnant Radio's take on Practicing the Way and John Mark Comer!

[@freeyourglow]

yes please!

[@michilledelgado5030]

Me too, I’ve started reading the book and using it because I wanted more practical info on day to day, sanctification and means of grace but this aspect of his references /bibliographical keep nagging at me…

[@ireachmydreams]

"Put down your hands and be still and know that I am God. Put down your hands and receive from me." So good! ❤

[@ToOpen6seven]

Where is your quote from? Below is what the KJV Bible states Psalms 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

[@ireachmydreams]

@ToOpen6seven I'm quoting the guest on the podcast, not the bible. I'm very familiar with Psalms 46:10.

[@beatricemwamba4105]

This was so edifying, thank you brothers.

[@tisi88]

I think that DBT (dialectical behavioral Therapy) also plays a huge role in the mainstreaming of "mindfulness" and the likes. And with it the spread of the language and also some technics out of the originaly dbt-related setting, through "self-improvement"-content on Social media and popkultural-science. There's always a search for answers and that's what many people found. It is a chance for Christians to get into a conversation, when they learn about this language and that DBT is rooted in buddism. There is a bridge to a Transzendenz behind it and a loving conversation of faith.

[@daphnee.7501]

Great episode! Explains exactly what I’ve been thinking, discerning for some time now. Thanks guys!

[@dawsonjarrell]

This is the best episode I have heard in a long time.. I lOVE THIS EPISODE!! Love his thoughts on practices of confession and surrender and embodied prayer as a posture of heart to receive something outside of self.. wow!! .. his thoughts on death remind me of “the denial of death” by Oz Guinness.. and it goes without saying “I hate individualism and consumerism” and this episode scratched that itch..

[@micheledrivere3996]

I've needed this conversation for 3 years thank you

[@michaelmartin3122]

The image of God (Icon ethics) of how we interact with each other and to God, by way of the image, is a church belief going back to St. Paul and the other Apostles . St. John of Damascus’ treatises on Iconography is based on both the Word’s incarnation and the image of God placed in man. Clement of Rome talks of it in his first epistle. Great conversation.

[@theeternalsbeliever1779]

Iconography is not a doctrine that is taught anywhere in Paul or any other apostle's teachings. Even as Orthodox Jews, they all knew what God's law says about molding images as venerating them. This a patently false doctrine.

[@michaelmartin3122]

@@theeternalsbeliever1779 I didn’t say Iconography, I said icon ethics. The image of the Lord is in everyone, and as you do to your brother, you do to Christ. Perhaps you don’t like my term, if so we can call it something else. St. Paul talks of suffering in Christ.

[@ToOpen6seven]

This is ALL false and pure idolatry and NOT found anywhere in the HOLY BIBLE, KJV. We want to have a true relationship with God we MUST be truly born-again first and then afterwards we must meditate in His world day and night, get filled with the Holy Spirit, and be committed to God through prayer and fasting. 1 Peter 1:23-25 kjv 23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 4:8 kjv "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." 2 Peter 1:3-11 kjv 3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 5:6-10 kjv 6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

[@goodtogaz]

Can't wait for the next volume of the series with Alex Jones. What a legend!

[@jayb276]

Important conversation, very smart and on point. Thanks

[@BobbyU808]

Maranatha!

[@freeyourglow]

Good stuff guys! Do you see an emphasis on mysticism happening at Bridgetown Church? John Mark Comer recently cited Rohr as an influence for “Practicing The Way” which is embraced at Bridgetown. It would be so rad to hear you guys tackle that book, and Comer’s beliefs, specifically 🤍

[@maryannstrahornrn8352]

Also, take on the "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" so-called "Bible Study" series!

[@kellynelson8337]

@@maryannstrahornrn8352what’s wrong, in your opinion, with EHS?

[@ilanagreen5371]

I would also love Remnant Radio's take on Practicing the Way and John Mark Comer!

[@thewrightoknow]

@@kellynelson8337EHS changed my life. The practices of EHS enabled me to be present to the Spirit of Christ living in me and taught me to life from Christ instead of being driven to live for Him!

[@deniecemock7181]

I went and read EHS.... I don't see any red flags so far

[@TrinitarianPentecostalNectar]

“Redeemed mysticism” Pentecost offers this.

[@joannewebber1444]

You have to understand the bad news before you can understand the good news.

[@judahdawkins9635]

It would’ve been so fascinating to ask him to apply a lens in this conversation of Stokes versus epicureans in the talk about secular mysticism. I found myself thinking with that lens a lot in as those 2 being 2 opposed ditches of unbiblical mysticism enticing the church.

[@KDTif]

Any idea of whether “listening prayer”is unbiblical? I believe it is and my church has been practicing it for a few years. I do not take part as it doesn’t sit well with me. I believe it is part of mysticism. Thanks.

[@jordanmiller408]

This convo was 3 men who aren’t mystical trying to talk about mysticism. Good convo, but about 10 years behind

[@deniecemock7181]

Yes. Can you guys give answers on what Comer is doing?

[@Justasheepwithashepard]

Hey! Would you guys be able to do an episode on spiritual coverings in churches? I’ve never heard of it before I came to the charismatic movement and been looking for some honest truth about it :)

[@margocarmichael6765]

"Put down your hands"? But I have been trying to get my church to loosen up and "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord"! I get what he's saying, though, and he's so right. "He that began a good work in you will complete it...." I can do my best and be content without being any more "magnificent" than He leads me and helps me to be.

[@brianakortbein5082]

Take a shot of lemon juice each time he says the word “self.”

[@susangriffis1588]

i find that learning words, particularly utilizing etymology, really helps when trying to accurately describe meaning before contextualizing a thing by adding culture, which is what dictionaries do. the word mystical merely means "of God." trying to label words is oxymoronical, if not paradoxical. i appreciate the Lord calling Himself the "Word." did not the "new age" attempt a language of culture theft? Perhaps multiplying words to prescribe meaning convolutes an intended purpose instead of exposing a meaning unless one is motivating the Gospel of Christ unto His kingdom, because those words change things indefinitely. God is mystical. Mystical is not God. There goes logic. God is good. Good is not God.

[@pjgarret7653]

Good content but interviewer endeavors to ask questions in a most convoluted and meandering way. You should hone your technique, man.

[@e.m.8094]

Twin Cities here too! 👍

[@time2pray777]

You guys really need to comment about the Mark Driscoll and James River Church fiasco. Please do that soon timing is important!

[@tpw7250]

Why?

[@toonnaobi-okoye2949]

Whose timing are they following, yours?

[@runningwarrior5468]

No need to restate what is obvious.

[@KingdomWithinU]

Social media has done well in flushing out the entirety of the drama that is both the conference issues and the Driscoll issue. Remnant doesn’t really hang in that stream of youtube which feels the need to comment on every drama in the church. Additionally, they already have a video on the Jezebel spirit that gives a clear explanation of their views on the subject prior to Driscoll hoping on that train. It’s not really fruitful to take it further. Pastor Lindell has also publicly responded to the drama, He and Driscoll are still working this out and to Create another video on the issue when discussion are still happening is unnecessary and premature.

[@PiggyB.Comics1490]

Hi guys! I wanna say thanks for what you do!, I have a request though: Speaking of Mysticism, can you review PAUL SIMON's NEW ALBUM "Seven Psalms", and his source being dreams commanding him this dream? I don't a review because I'm looking for a bad angry review, because Paul Simon is one of the great American singers since the Sound of Silence to Graceland (to now). Most of the songs in this work is great, but can you share your thoughts?

[@christinarusso1299]

Would love to hear you guys speak on the sacred secretion

[@LoriMooreThompson]

Oh my gosh, I just looked that up (sorry, never heard of it). A serious chill went up and down my spine and made me visibly shake.

[@christinarusso1299]

@@LoriMooreThompson are you okay lol

[@runningwarrior5468]

huh?

[@bethelshiloh]

Yoga? Christmas? Easter? Halloween? What’s new?

[@stephencoe2231]

At 59 mins he gets to some answer

[@stephencoe2231]

A person will have n answer to the mystical in a real personal relationship with Jesus Christ

[@djs9315]

Exactly

[@Balcamion79]

Moana is an "old" Disney movie?! 😭

[@andreso9595]

We’re back to the first century very religious/superstitious/magical reality

[@honestmann747]

Think we'll ever see another cool Remnant Radio thumbnail, or is it just going to be sullied by "AI" forever? Sad!

[@stephencoe2231]

This guy sounds like he is giving a book report from someone elses book report. Really hoping to get to substance of how it is actually in the church. Seems that you are asking but he just hasn't experienced it in a church. So he only has opinions of something. You are asking for the mars hill view. He is using someone else's story in a book by someone else. Paris? Put down your hands. Can't be a mystical god.

[@H.Nenningger]

ELCA? Can anything good come from ELCA seminary? Just kidding. Though as AFLC & my Missouri Synod love to make fun of ELCA.

[@conquerinvestments7579]

Learning mysticism from a Lutheran is like learning Thai from a Japaneses. Better to interview Richard Rohr or explore the writings about Lectio Divina and Contemplation.

[@KingdomWithinU]

Remnant has already explored Rhor’s material which is heretical. You can google Richard Rhor on the channel and watch those videos.