Does Mysticism Mix With the Bible?

Mysticism pervades world history, and especially the history of the United States.  What does mysticism do for a country or a person?  Is it good?  Is it all bad?

When Jonathan Edwards described mysticism in the early 18th century, he didn't use the word "mysticism."  The term mysticism was around, but perhaps not in the kind of common usage so that Edwards would use the term to apply to the "wildfire" and "carnal enthusiasm" he witnessed in the Great Awakening.  Edwards also used the terms, "imprudences, irregularities," and a "mixture of delusion."

When the United States got to the 19th century, it was a regular experience for men to say they heard directly from God, perhaps the greatest example of this Joseph Smith.  The church history museum in Salt Lake City, Utah says concerning his "first vision":

Joseph Smith’s First Vision stands today as the greatest event in world history since the birth, ministry, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. After centuries of darkness, the Lord opened the heavens to reveal His word and restore His Church through His chosen prophet.

Johann Herrmann called it "Neoplatonic Mysticism" and defined it this way in 1899:

The essence of Mysticism lies in this: when the influence of God upon the soul is sought and found solely in an inward experience of the individual; when certain excitements of the emotions are taken, with no further question, as evidence that the soul is possessed by God: when at the same time nothing external to the soul is consciously and clearly perceived and firmly grasped; when no thoughts that elevate the spiritual life are aroused by the positive contents of an idea that rules the soul,-- then that is the piety of Mysticism.

Herrmann went on to write:

In the human Jesus, we have met with a fact, the content of which is comparably richer than any feelings that arise within ourselves.

James Hinton said:

Mysticism is an assertion of a of knowing that must not be tried by ordinary rules evidence the claiming authority for our own impressions.

The Apostle Paul addresses mysticism in Colossians 2:18-19, when he writes:

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Paul calls this someone "vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."

I have no doubt that everyone has experiences.  However, scripture teaches against looking for those experiences as a means of God communicating to you.  Scripture is sufficient.  The Bible gives someone everything he needs to be everything he needs to be and do everything he needs to do.

The experiences of the biblical authors were true, real, and historical.  They really occurred.  The canon was closed and the means by which God talks to us is through His Word.  Jesus quoted Abraham in saying in Luke 16:31:

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Moses and the prophets are scripture.  God wants us to depend upon scripture.  Mysticism and the Bible are mutually exclusive.  Faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6) and faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).