dogma vs mystery

in one of the news groups i read the question was stated;

"In some ways I am terrified at the idea of asking Jesus to teach me more of His suffering..."

to which a brilliant answer was given by someone by the name of brad culver;

"Friends...i think it's even more elemental than that... have you ever asked Him to take your heart of stone and give you a tender heart of flesh... or teach you to forgive... or to love your neighbour as your self... or have His heart for the other...?

"Loving God and loving others has suffering built into it... ever prayed, "Jesus i want to love like you love"? He put grace above the law. He laid down His life for those who weren't His friends. He forgave His executioners in the very act.

forever in the bloody grip of grace"

this statement was made in the context of the importance of dogma in the experience of God. the concern was that when one spends all his energy in working out all things believed so that it fits a dogma the goal (which is the experience of God) can, and usually is, missed. if, however, we focus our attention on Jesus rather than dogma, per se, we will experience God. i think brad has hit the crux of the issue with the questions he asks here.

there are those who say that christianity and mysticism don't mix. i think that anyone who would say this doesn't understand mysticism or christianity. faith is a mystery.