While we're on the topic of mysticism

[andrewlittle]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

If there is any tradition/precedent for viewing the holy spirit as a kind of raw 'knock your socks off' power. ...
I was wondering when I started this thread if raw rushes of non-ordinary experience are part of the vocabulary of christian experience, if there was a name for pointing to such. This spirit power thing would seem to be the place to describe it, if there is one.

Pentecostals generally believe deeply in the raw power of the HS - matter of fact, some groups (like the Brethren) require that kind of "born again" experience.

Others may refer to it as "radical conversion" in a case like mine.

Liberal and many mainline churches generally have very little room for this kind of experience, however. I found blank stares and eyes rolling back in heads when I tried to talk to people about it. That is why I attended both liberal and conservative churches for a number of years. The conservative church could understand and help me put my experience into language. The liberal churches helped keep my head on straight theologically.

This is only one kind of experience of the HS. It is important to note that, when people are receptive, the Spirit can move in very gentle ways.