Review on izb.nl by dr. Wim Dekker
Mystical experience
I was very impressed with Ms. Philipse’s in-depth interview that appeared in the Dutch daily newspaper ‘Trou’ on Jan. 4th, 2014. This is not someone who just wants to ride on the wave of a popular religious hype while earning some easy money. Indeed, the idea to publsih the book hadn’t occurred to Ms. Phillipse until certain professionals in the field of theology and spirituality encouraged her to do so. A major characteristic of the true mystic shines through in this book – that being, to serve God completly. And while being overwhelmed by God’s pure love, there can be no room for a hidden agenda – there are no ulterior motives.
Now that the diary has been published and so many translations are in the making, Ms. Philipse states: “I now hope that this book helps people to make contact with the layer within themselves where they can meet God. I feel that it is my job. I am convinced that this mystical process is not meant for me, but that it passes through me to others as an expression of the love of God.
” It started on January 1, 2003,” she continues, “with a mystical experience that began as a small well and exploded in an ongoing stream bringing about a continuous mystical process that continues even until this day. “
Before this began, Carina had always sought God in silence and contemplation. As a student she was inspired by the famous saying of St. Augustine: “God is closer to me than I am to myself.”
Unfortunatly she could not share this thought with her teachers and fellow students.
Changing climate
Above comment is typical of how the spirit has changed from a theological and religious viewpoint, compared to forty years ago. Back then the emphasis was placed on intellectual knowledge and practical action. Keyword of our time is spirituality. The latter also has major implications for ’the mission in the Netherlands’. It can be expected that thousands who never set foot in church will buy the book from Carine Philipse. There are worse books they can buy. And yet there is a great field of tension. I feel that tension when Carine says: “I hope that this book helps people to make contact with the layer within themselves where they can meet God.” What God will they meet there? – I’m tempted to ask. Is it the God and Father of Christ? When I was recently browsing through the Confessions of St. Augustine I was struck again that he indeed says that on the one hand God is near to us in a way we do not understand at all. You might say: He is hidden in the deepest layers of our soul and if we avoid that and think that reliable information can only be found through the ratio, as brother Herman thinks, than we will be disappointed. But on the other side Augustine says that the knowledge of God of the bottom of the soul is just a beginning of knowing God. Never had I discovered how humble God became in Jesus Christ, he writes, if I had not read that in the writings of St. Paul. For that he Augestine thanks God many times, that he was led on the path to the writings of St. Paul.
Augustine, with his emphasis on God deep within us is ‘hip’ today. Paul seems out of ‘fashion’. I do not hope that we remain stalled in this. I hope the book from Carine Philipse will keep the dialogue going about God – the inevitable I AM – with people like het brother. At the same time I hope that it doesn’t stay there but that we can forge ahead to the core of the Incarnation of the Son of God: “Never before had God such a human face” (André Troost).
Dr. Wim Dekker
Staff department head theological and missionary advicor IZB