Robert Laynton

Caught Up to God 2 Robert Laynton

Christian experientialism is gaining in popularity - it can be seen in most modern conservative Christian fellowships. Christians want to experience closeness to God and they may calm their minds, and let go of the busyness of day-to-day life in order to allow God to fill them with His Presence. Some may speak in 'heavenly tongues', or receive other 'spiritual gifts'. Others may receive guidance directly from God, or deep insight into spiritual realities, whilst others may be 'caught up' to God in Transcendent Bliss in Divine Love. Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians consider that these spiritual experiences form the essence of New Testament Christian living, and lead to holiness, victory over sin and conformity to God's will. There is a long tradition of Christian experientialism within Judeo-Christian thought and practice, where Christian Mystics in particular seek to cultivate a sense of the Presence of God, teaching the steps that Christians face on their way to closer fellowship with God. This study explores Christian experientialism from a Biblical perspective over two volumes. This second volume explores concepts of holiness and the stages of spiritual development proposed by Christian mystics as leading to an experience of closer fellowship with God. How Christians know and conform to God's will is also explored, along with approaches that can be used to distinguish genuine God-given experiences. Christian experiential concepts and practices are then discussed and evaluated in the light of Scripture before some final considerations are given to the experience of spiritual desertion and to psychological factors.