Christian Mysticism/friendship with Christ

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Expert: - 5/10/2009


Question
I have two questions. First, how can I be friends with Christ? Secondly, what does it mean to truly live a Christian lifestyle?

Answer
To save time, this answer was composed with the help of Microsoft speech recognition software .  As a result, some of the punctuation might appear just a little different than usual . Thank you for your understanding .  

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Well, regarding the first part of your question I would say that Jesus already answered it .  He commanded us to love God and love one another . He said that all the previous Ten Commandments could hang on just those two .  

Matthew 22:36-41 (New International Version)

36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MATT%2022:36-41;&version=31;

As for living a true Christian lifestyle this is a matter of much debate and I really believe you have to decide for yourself what is right with you and God .  

I hope this helps.

Christian Mysticism

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Michael Clark, Ph.D.

Expertise

I can probably be of assistance to those who feel they don't easily fit into the existing methods, molds or patterns usually associated with Christian mysticism.

I may comment on historical approaches. But in contemporary society many feel the need for new ways of connecting with the Holy Spirit, ways that are in sync and integrated within a 21st century worldview.

Experience

I've explored several different Christian denominations and respect their various strengths without turning a blind eye to their weaknesses as I see it. I also look at connections among Christians and other beliefs at my educational website earthpages.org and at my blog michaelwclark.com.

Publications
Print Media:
My table from "Religions and Cults" at earthpages.org is reproduced with permission in L. Lindsey, S. Beach and B. Ravelli, Core Concepts in Sociology, 2nd ed., p. 157

World Wide Web:
My online article "Letter to God" coauthored with Buddhist monk, E. Raymond Rock, appears on several different spirituality-based websites, including http://tinyurl.com/db7a5o

I've interviewed, as a Christian, a self-proclaimed mystic: http://tinyurl.com/cawykr

My articles appeared at the former New View magazine nuvunow.ca and are published at earthpages.org.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Religious Studies
M.A. in Comparative Religion
B.A. Hon. in Psychology/Sociology
For details, please see my CV and letters of recommendation

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