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Originally Posted by Jo S
Do you mean the LC's practice of chanting "Oh, Lord Jesus" five times in unison? I've experienced this phenomenon a few times first hand. However, I personally did not partake in it.
If you took a picture of those meetings that I was in, I'd be the one that looked like August Landmesser. 
You then believe that the sounds that are made from the pronounciation of the words themselves can trigger a mystical experience? |
The Bible reveals many different types of prayer. This type of prayer is not an incantation but a prayer to invoke the presence of Christ using the name of Jesus. It is scriptural because the phrase "call upon the name of the Lord" is throughout the bible and means a literal calling upon His name.
It is safe to do so because
a) we know that Jesus is alive (praying to a dead saint on the other hand will surely open to demonic experiences).
b) we know that the name of Jesus is all powerful and above every other name (it is the only name we can safely call).
c) we know that when we ask God for a fish he won't give a stone (God is faithful to answer, and we have His divine protection and faithfulness).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo S
You then believe that the sounds that are made from the pronounciation of the words themselves can trigger a mystical experience?
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There is no such superstitious belief. It is the words which are said which matter and the heart of faith when we say them. It is prayer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo S
I'm sure scripture shows us neither Jesus Christ nor any of the apostles sat back and relaxed. Their works were a product of genuine faith and through that same faith, they received revelation yet they were not mystics. Mystics work toward an experience through practices rather than allow an experience to proceed from faith alone. A Christian's works have no direct correlation to their spiritual experiences.
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In the LC, mystic means experiencing Christ by seeking Him by faith. Now, experiencing Christ does not mean experiencing a feeling. This experience is registered in our spirit and typically goes by unnoticed. But we believe by faith that some spiritual benefit has been gained, even though we don't feel anything. The goal is Christ, not experiences. A real mystic as you describe (i.e. one who seeks experiences) would be disappointed and likely seek a pentecostal church.
To use an analogy to describe the difference, consider a plant which sucks up the water to obtain life and grow. We would be like the plant which simply sucks up the water and grows, not feeling anything about the water, and not seeking water but growth. A plant is satisfied with water and does not demand orange juice or Coca Cola just because it tastes better. This is because the plant has no feeling or taste about the water, it simply receives the water and grows.
A mystic as you describe would be like a plant which seeks different kinds of water because it has some taste and preference. The plant would seek orange juice one day and coca cola the next because it tastes better. The goal of the plant would be to obtain whatever kind of liquid tastes better to it, not growth.