The Mystic's Journey
From Scientific Atheism To Evangelical Christianity To Wicca To Nonspiritual Heathenry To Mysticism
Following Wisdom Beyond Doctrine And Dogma
From Scientific Atheism To Evangelical Christianity To Wicca To Nonspiritual Heathenry To Mysticism
Following Wisdom Beyond Doctrine And Dogma
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
The same principle applies to spiritual journeys. Every belief, conviction, doubt, and revelation begins with a single question honestly pursued. No one can walk that path for another, and no destination of genuine understanding is reached without first being willing to examine what one believes and why.
Some may question the path that led me from scientific atheism to Evangelical Christianity, through Wiccan influences, into Heathen philosophy, and ultimately toward a more contemplative and mystical understanding of spirituality. Such questions are fair. Truth should withstand examination. Convictions that cannot endure scrutiny are not strengthened by being protected from it.
Throughout that journey, I came to understand that many assumptions are repeated so often that they become accepted as fact. Scripture itself calls believers to test what they hear rather than accept every claim without examination. The Apostle Paul commended those who searched the Scriptures daily to verify what they were taught (Acts 17:11, AMP). Likewise, believers are instructed to test everything carefully and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21, AMP).
Regarding Christ, Scripture provides far less detail about His physical appearance than popular culture suggests. The often-cited description of hair "like white wool" and feet "like burnished bronze" appears in John's symbolic vision of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:14-15, not in the Gospel of Matthew. That passage is rich with symbolism and should not be treated as a modern physical description. What Scripture emphasizes repeatedly is not His appearance, but His character, teachings, sacrifice, and authority.
Christ stood among the poor, the outcast, the sinner, and the forgotten. He challenged religious hypocrisy, confronted corruption, and spoke uncomfortable truths without concern for social approval. Whether one approaches Him from a place of faith, skepticism, or curiosity, those qualities remain difficult to ignore.
The various paths I explored were not acts of rebellion for their own sake. They were attempts to understand truth from different perspectives. Some paths emphasized reason. Others emphasized faith. Some encouraged ritual, symbolism, and personal experience. Others focused on doctrine, tradition, and authority. Each provided lessons, strengths, weaknesses, and warnings.
Over time, I discovered that every religion, philosophy, and worldview shares one unavoidable reality: choices have consequences. Every path leads somewhere. Every belief shapes action. Every action shapes character. No one escapes the responsibility of deciding which road to follow.
Scripture contains a sobering warning in this regard. Jesus taught that many would claim to have acted in His name, only to hear, "I never knew you; depart from Me" (Matthew 7:21-23, AMP). The warning is not merely about belief. It is about humility, sincerity, and the condition of one's heart.
For that reason, I offer neither my journey nor my conclusions as a blueprint for others. This path is mine. Yours belongs to you. Learn from those who came before you, but do not surrender your conscience to them. Seek wisdom wherever it may be found. Test your assumptions. Examine your beliefs. Welcome honest correction. If evidence, experience, reason, Scripture, or a wiser voice reveals that you are mistaken, have the courage to change course.
Above all else, strive to remain correctable. Pride hardens the mind, but wisdom remains teachable. The pursuit of truth is not proven by never being wrong; it is proven by the willingness to be corrected when truth is revealed.
Scripture References (AMP):
Are your convictions your own, or are they the result of what you were taught to believe?
Can you go to those that instructed you in your journey and question their teachings in order to better understand them, or is there a rigid rule of silence that forbids questioning of any sort, demanding unquestioning obedience?