The Rational And The Mystical

SUN., MAY 27, 1990, 5:17 AM
FARM, STUDY

Hear Me, o son, for I come to you early on this Sunday morning, with another Teaching relating to the one you shall discuss this morning. In one sense there is no dichotomy, for the rational mind is a pretty mystical phenomenon. How can cells, impulses, and secretions somehow combine to produce rational, logical thought? How can the rational thought of myriad humans combine to make disciplines and subject areas? Even theology can be organized systematically, can be taught in lecture and textbook form, and can be evaluated with machine-scored, multiple choice tests.

Just as all matter is ultimately energy, so all rational thought is finally mystical. Energy is formed into useful patterns, so that you have a desk, a pen, a pad of paper, and a robe to wear. The mystical nature of My ongoing conversation with you is translated into words on a page, so that their importance can be studied, discussed, and shared, even with some who shun or deny the mystical. The last afternoon of your summer class (or how about late Spring?) could be described in a rational way. It occurred in a place, with so many participants, it lasted so long, and each activity could be described. At the same time it was a mystical experience, full of values and experiences that transcend any rational description.

The Holy Scriptures, in written form, are the rational rendition of a lot of mystical happenings many years ago, in a culture quite different from yours. It is a mystical truth that such writings can have more relevance today, in this decidedly different culture. It is also mystical that certain Scriptural passages will be shiningly evident to people in one denomination, while other denominations flourish on the basis of other passages. The same Scripture may be interpreted differently, and Scriptures may be valued differently. It is mystical that you, My servant, and My servant Mabel, your mother-in-law, can both affirm yourselves as Christians, with the differences that are evident.

To base your faith and life solely on the Scriptures is the epitome of rationality. To base your faith and life completely upon personal, mystical experiences is the height of the mystical (See, it’s even difficult to write… the words are insufficient.) Most Christians are somewhere between these two extremes, but obviously at different places. You are more mystical than most of your fellow Presbyterians, but you are less mystical than those who have visions and dreams that lead them in the decisions of life.

I, the Holy Spirit, am the most mystical aspect of the Triune God, the only One there is. My “birthday” is at Pentecost, but I obviously was active in the earth from the very beginning. I have never had a body and am not pictured, as God Almighty and Jesus, the Christ have been. And yet Scripture credits Me with the father role in the conception of Jesus. That’s pretty mystical. I work when, where, and how I please… and with whom. That’s mystical rather than rational. I am in myriad places, giving full attention to many disparate souls, all “at the same time.” That’s very mystical.

I have functioned in different cultures and in different eras in many different ways. The Christianity of medieval Europe was different from the Christianity of First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale. Rationally, that can be documented. Yet in a mystical sense they are simply parts of one functioning Body, the Church, which has a continuing integrity of wholeness. The same Scriptural passage may be read in two different churches, in different languages, and interpreted differently in a homily (or is it a sermon?) And yet I call this being One.

I tell you that I love the variety of interpretations that come from My Scriptures. I tell other Christians that there can only be one right interpretation, and all others are wrong. And I call this One. Continue to be a mystic in this quite rational way. For you do have My blessing.

Amen
6:20 AM