MYSTICAL, RELATIONAL, AND PROPHETIC RELIGION
A Typological Study
| MYSTICAL RELIGION “I AM” Essential Self | RELATIONAL RELIGION “I-THOU” Integral Relation | PROPHETIC RELIGION “THOU ART” Wholly Other |
| Left Handed, Right Brained | | Right Handed, Left Brain |
| Integral, Convergent Point | | Dualistic, Divergent Paths |
| Both-And: Inclusive Synthesis | | Either-Or: Exclusive Alternatives |
| Liberal: Change | | Conservative: Tradition |
| Permissive, Tolerant | | Strict, Demanding |
| Diversity, Pluralistic | | Uniformity, Monolithic |
| Communion, Embrace | | Confrontation, Exclude |
| Egalitarian, Horizontal | | Hierarchal, Vertical |
| Intimacy, Pleasure | | Authority, Power |
| Dialogue, Reciprocity | | Proclamation, Repentance |
| Aesthetic, Creative | | Ethical, Redemptive |
| Relational Processes | | Absolute Commandments |
| The Dynamic of Paradox | | The Law of Non-Contradiction |
| Internal Light, Illumination | | External Law, Obedience |
| Inclusive Cultural Symbiosis | | Exclusive Cultural Choices |
| Collective: Organic | | Individualistic: Voluntary |
| Feminine, Venus, Grace | | Masculine, Mars, Grit |
| Contemplative, Eternal Now | | Active, Salvation History |
| Luring, Attracting | | Commanding, Coercing |
| Freedom, Spontaneity | | Discipline, Control |
| Eros, Desire, Passion, Dionysus | | Agape, Reason, Order, Apollo |
| Immanent, Within | | Transcendent, Beyond |
| Sophia, Wisdom, Beauty | | Logos, Word, Truth |
| Becoming-in-Essence | | Being-in-Charge |
| Creative Emergence | | Redemptive Eschatology |
| Divine Sociability | | Divine Sovereignty |
| Sacred Pleasure | | Sacred Suffering |
| Epicurean, Sensuous | | Stoic, Ascetic |
| Expressive Creativity | | Restrained Submission |
| Poetic, Mythic, Symbolic | | Dogmatic, Literal, Propositional |
| Introverted, Inward | | Extraverted, Outward |
| Emotion & Intuition | | Cognition & Volition |
| Wholeness, Integration | | Holiness, Integrity |
| Playfulness, Imagination | | Purity, Righteousness |
| Subjectivity, Ecstasy | | Objectivity, Sobriety |
| Being, Consciousness, Bliss | | Faith, Hope, Love |
| Seeking, Wandering About | | Dwelling, Waiting Upon |
| Adventurous, Curious | | Cautious, Vigilant |
| “Healthy-Minded” Religion | | “Soul-Sick” Religion |
| Once Born: Creativity | | Twice Born: Conversion |
| Awakened, Enchanted | | Redeemed, Delivered |
| The One and The All | | The Sheep vs. The Goats |
| Mystical Divine “God Will Be All in All” | | Prophetic Divine Judgment: The Saved vs. The Damned |
Richard C. Lang, Omega House,
3 comments:
This typology of "mystical, relational and prophetic" religion suggests that there may be a natural temperamental predisposition to be attracted toward either the pure mystical or the pure prophetic forms, or else to live in a "creative tension" between them by embracing the relational typology that attempts to mediate between these two polarities of human consciousness and culture.
What we have here is a constellation of attributes that seems to reflect underlying and opposing unities. If we contemplate these unities we find that they are basic to existence thus showing us that contradiction is at the heart of all existence. Yet the Creation is unable to sustain these tensions without constant dialectical shifting. Buddhist call this reality Suffering. Yet the western conscious in its optimism sees it as God himself unfolding through history.
Thanks for you comment. Sure, the options of "integration" and "contradiction" are always two options for humanity as ways of explaining the mystery of existence. Perhaps the need for some people to integrate polarities in a greater unity and for others to accept contradiction at the heart of all existence is the difference between Hindu and Buddhist sensibilities and temperaments.
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