What is mystical drift in the church?

Mystical drift is when the church adopts vague, feelings-driven, or New Age–influenced language and practices, replacing biblical spirituality with counterfeit substitutes.

Why is mystical language appealing to Christians?

Mystical language often feels personal, humble, empowering, and inclusive, but it subtly shifts focus from Christ and the sufficiency of Scripture to self-centered spirituality.

How can Christians guard against mystical drift?

By testing all things against Scripture, keeping Christ central, pursuing sound teaching, praying biblically, and discipling others in discernment.

Mystical Drift in the Church: How New Age Language Creeps into Christianity

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read

Mystical Drift: How New Age Language Is Repackaged in Today’s Church

Equipping You in Grace – September 10, 2025
Host: Dave Jenkins

Show Summary

In this Worldview Watch installment, Dave Jenkins examines how mystical and New Age
language has drifted into Christian spaces, why it appeals, how it differs from biblical
spirituality, and how believers can guard against it by holding fast to God’s Word.

Recognize popular phrases and practices “baptized” with Christian vocabulary
Understand the cultural appeal and spiritual risks of mystical drift
Contrast mysticism with biblical spirituality rooted in Scripture
Practical guardrails for churches, families, and personal devotion

Key Scriptures: Hebrews 12:2; John 17:17; Romans 12:2; Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:3

Listen / Watch

Episode Outline

Defining Mystical Drift — why language matters for worship and discipleship
Why It Appeals — personal, humble-sounding, “empowering,” and inclusive
Biblical Spirituality vs. Mysticism — union with God through revealed truth
Where It Shows Up — worship lyrics, prayer practices, retreats, preaching
Dangers — undermining Scripture’s sufficiency; confusing the gospel
Guardrails — test all things by Scripture; keep Christ central; disciple intentionally

Worldview Watch – September Lineup

Sept 1 – The Crisis of Deconstruction
Sept 3 – The Lie of Progressive Christianity
Sept 8 – CRT and the Gospel
Sept 10 – Mystical Drift (this episode)
Sept 15 – Removing New Age from Your Home: A Biblical Path to Freedom
Sept 17 – Feelings Over Truth
Sept 22 – Biblical Discernment vs. Cultural Conformity
Sept 24 – Holding the Line
Sept 29 – Listener Q&A

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For more from Equipping You in Grace visit: Equipping You in Grace | A Biblical Podcast for Christian Living

Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.