Occult Christianity?

Question

Anyone study it?

For those that say there's "no such thing", it's called Mystic/Esoteric Christianity, and yes, it is extremely valid, it's the only inner, intellectually and heart-satisying, form of Christianity there is. It is the heart of the ancient Christian church.

Jocko_homo: agreed!

Answer 1

I did for three years in the seventies.
It is taught in the churches that teach tongue speaking, and modern day miracles.
SD

Answer 2

The term 'occult' is where you are creating a problem. It tends to have negative connotations (even though the strict definitions is probably more broad).

What may be "occult" to you may be perfectly acceptable to others, so they don't consider it occult.

Before the "official" church, there were different ways of practicing christianity, and different sects with different ecclesiastical languages who although they believed in the bible (more or less) disagreed on interpretation and doctrinal truths. In those early days, it wouldn't have been "occult". True there were some people who took creative liberties too far (for example, some of the gnostics, though not all).

Examples of early christian (most if not all were pre-catholic, I think) sects are the Syriac/assyrians, Armenians, various african sects (Donatists, Ethiopians, Copts, Arianism-I think this latter sect spread to the franco-german region), etc.

Some biblical hermits and scholars were considered heretics, but like the word "occult", it's a word that others use as a label.

Answer 3

Well, in the early days of the Church, the central ritual of the Mass was secret, and therefore "occult". Outsiders could hear what was going on, on the other side of a curtain, but they could not see what was going on. Only when they became Christian, could they participate in the Mass. So, the Romans heard Christians talking about eating flesh and drinking blood, not knowing that it was bread and wine, and that did freak some of them out.

Check out some of the Gnostic writings, the Nag Hammadi Library, and books by Elaine Pagels. That should get you started. Keep in mind that this is not "mainstream" Christianity, and some will call it heresy.

And ignore Dr. Zoom Zoom. That website he posts in every freaking answer is nothing but Evangelical Christian anti-occult propaganda, with very little fact or truth to it.

Answer 4

There is certainly such a thing as occult Christianity, if by that one means systems of Christian tradition which have magical and mystical elements - in fact there is a great deal of it.

The word 'occult' is rarely used by Christians in a positive way however, because most Christian churches frown on this word. So this hides the fact that there are many Christian approaches that would qualify as 'occult'.

In the beginning of Christianity there were many groups who called themselves by the name of 'gnostic'. Their gospels are still known, and more were recently unearthed at Nag Hammadi in Egypt. Their doctrines were very similar to Hermetics, which appeared at the same time in history. The famous 'Pistis Sophia' for example contains huge occult elements and information. A current Christian organization which is a revival of Gnostic Christianity is the Gnostic Church of Samael Aun Weor. I don't recommend their practices personally, but if you examine their way you will find it is very occult.

All through the middle ages many magicians and alchemists were also christians, for example Jacob Boehme. One of my magic teachers has a friend, also a magician, who is a Christian bishop. I am also told that in many Christian monasteries there are magical, alchemical and mystical practices. However it would be very hard to get any idea what those were without entering the monastery.

Many modern afro-cuban practices such as Santeria, and many other magical religious systems of various ethnic groups - for example the Pennsylvania Dutch Hexenmeisters - are Christians and and practice magic of many varieties, including polytheistic magic, often substituting saints for gods.

I know little of any of these paths as they are not mine, but there is information in many places. In general the higher echelons of Christianity have certainly always been aware of occult mysticism and magic; in my opinion, Christ practiced it himself to an extremely high degree. Giordano Bruno, the Hermetic, was burned by the pope for saying this publicly however. The ordinary congregations are not told about this, which leads to the mistaken impression that there is no 'occult Christianity'. In fact there's a great deal of it.

Answer 5

If Christ died to save sinners, which is a fairly all-inclusive category, why would salvation require secret knowledge possessed by only a select few? What happens to everyone else? I really don't understand the theological basis of this.

If you look at Judaism, which develops its own esoteric version in the Kabbalah, you find that it ends up contributing to Chasidic Judaism, one of the founders of which--the Ba'al Shem Tov--simplifies things by spreading the message that tesuvah and chesed (repentence and acts of loving kindness) will redeem the world. That seems like pretty good reasoning and definitely not esoteric.

Grace be unto you and peace.

Answer 6

Jocko's right about this being a very broad question. I wrote my Masters thesis on Rensaissance occult philosophy, parts of which were accepted by the church, most of which was written by people who considered themselves devout Christians (a couple claimed to follow a religion more perfect thatn Christianity but rooted in Christianity). It was all about God leaving clues in reality to help people better understand the universe and the nature of God and they strove to use that information to grow closer to God, to become more spiritual and less material. It was fascinating stuff.

Answer 7

Occult - simply means 'hidden knowledge' therefore Occult Christianity, is that which has been kept hidden or secret.

That would be the original source used for the Jesus Christian myth. We all know the stories about Jesus - appeared after the time period in which he was suppose to have lived. That there is no historical evidence within the time frame itself of 'Jesus' - therefore 'he' was created afterwards...

The original source material, often cited as the 'Q' missing gospel - I think this is 'The Talmud Jmmanuel' text/material.
http://www.tjresearch.info/overview.htm

If you do chase up this text - you can decide for yourself, if it is believable or not?

Answer 8

I have never really studied it, but I have done some research on it in the past. Occult Christianity , or Esoteric Christianity deals with the "inner self", as opposed to ' exoteric ' Christianity, which deals with the outer self. In Esoteric , there is more emphasis on resurrection than crucifixion, not just the physical body, but of self to Self . People who adhere to this teaching believe that Jesus didn't save us from our sins(die for our sins) because our sins are for us to deal with ourselves. Jesus showed us how we can become our own Saviors- by raising our consciousness through love and the path of initiation. All people have the capability to become fully human/fully divine. Esoteric Christianity holds to the belief that reincarnation is accepted, since the arduous path of initiation from human to God-hood would take more than one life time. But, since all this is contrary to the teachings in the Scriptures, I consider it to be pure nonsense and nothing more than another cult. I believe that anyone who adheres to the teachings of esoteric christianity is being fooled by Satan into believing lies.

Answer 9

My faith believes that there is a international after this existence and that the veil or portal between the two worlds is amazingly skinny. i improve into continuously taught that there are spirits. "Ghosts" is a term with a frightening connotation, so in my kin we did no longer use the be conscious ghosts. i improve into taught that there are stable spirits and there are undesirable spirits. the two kinds of spirits are in uncomplicated terms despatched right here to touch the residing in the event that they serve a objective. stable spirits are servants of the lord-you may tell they do no longer seem to be undesirable by ability of the style you sense around them. undesirable spirits are servants of the devil-they convey unfavourable thoughts (concern) and be able to very own somebody. It sorta is wise, why might a spirit despatched by ability of God choose/choose to very own somebody and administration what the guy does? i improve into additionally taught that tampering with issues like Wee Gee boards, chants to touch the ineffective, etc. open up the door and is an invitation for undesirable spirits and for undesirable issues to take place. i can not clarify quite why paranormal activity happens and am no longer attempting to push my non secular ideals off on you, merely theory i might proportion my strategies and perhaps you will locate some convenience in that, yet you will recognize the adaptation between a stable spirit and a foul spirit by ability of the sentiments which you're feeling around the spirit. a stable spirit won't injury you, very own you, scare you.

Answer 10

I'm actually a former occultist, and now a simple Christian. Tell me, why do you feel the need to combine the two?Christianity is not about esoteric teachings or arcane rituals, just the open message of the Gospel.

http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/AboutCANA_Verses.html
http://usminc.org/famous.html

Answer 11

Yes. Do a search online for "Occult Christianity" "Christian Hermeticism" and "Christian Magick." These searches should put you in touch with people who teach it, or at least give you some information....
"Occult" just means secret.