Christianity and Spirituality

To start with, many definitions of “Spirituality” confuse me. The Georgetown University’s National Center for Cultural Competence (HTTPS://NCCC.GEORGETOWN.EDU/BODY-MIND-SPIRIT/DEFINITIONS-SPIRITUALITY-RELIGION.PHP) provides seven different definitions. None are quite what I regard as true spirituality, but the closest definition from the list is: “a person’s experience of, or a belief in, a power apart from his or her existence” (Mohr 2006)[1]. I underlined experience rather than belief alone, which differs from belief minus actual experiences. To me, the combination of belief and experience is the objective of a faith-based life. My question has been, how does one distinguish between a belief without experience and a belief with experience? The New Testament defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Further, the text discusses how the visible world was created from things not visible (Hebrews 11:5); from there, the narrative in chapter 11 provides examples of faith that resulted in experiences such as foresight, endurance, and direct/indirect communications with God because of their faith. These individuals experienced the presence of God — when God’s presence is sensed, many things impossible become possible.

Granted, the final manifestation or hope was not revealed to the Old Testament faithful in the text, but they had real experiences from the invisible realm that supported their faith, not a simple blind trust. They stepped out in faith, and God reassured them on their journey.

The Bible is a confusing collection of semi-historical and symbolic stories intermixed with prophecies, parables, and hard-to-understand images. Part of the reason is based on the ancient times of the text and the attention of the unseen. It’s a book on the supernatural or paranormal based on today’s mindset. Two audiences are watching the biblical story unfold: the natural realm of people and the unseen realm of celestial beings. Some of those heavenly beings are not permitted to know and fully understand the process God is utilizing to save humankind.

The Bible has a targeted audience for deep understanding and an audience that cannot understand or be permitted to understand the hidden meaning. This is the mystery of the entire biblical text in total. We see this explained in some detail in 1 Corinthians 2:6–16. The passage is about the spiritual nature of the mystery of God that cannot be seen or understood by unspiritual people. To know the word of God requires the Spirit of God. Those who are not spiritual are blind to the word of God and fail to understand its profound message. Verses 6–8 of 1 Corinthians Chapter 2 provide this insight, “Yet among the mature, we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age, who are doomed. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

This is why a discussion of spirituality and understanding the Bible should be desired. Accessing the secret and hidden promises of a meaningful Christian life is essential. In a sense, it’s a Catch-22 scenario: you need the Spirit of God for the faith to attract you to believe, and you need the Spirit to understand. I will describe this further as the difference between having the Holy Spirit with you and having the Holy Spirit in you. There is a significant difference.

The ultimate question is, how does one receive the Spirit, and if successful, how would life’s experiences differ from those before receiving the Spirit? Experientially, what is the difference, and what can a true believer expect? This is, in part, what I hope to evaluate in this document.

While many consider quoting Bible verses boring, it is essential to establish credibility that I am referencing accurate information and not pulling things out of my head. All biblical quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), copied in 1989.

“First, you must understand that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s interpretation because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” — 2Peter 1:20–21.

[1] Mohr’s description is lacking where belief alone creates spirituality. This opens the door to fantastic illusions and make-believe world views. This further contributes to fragmented religion.