25-0514, The Truth Project, Tour 8

The Unio Mystica represents the pinnacle of the “Intimate Three” social spheres—family, church, and the God-man relationship. While earlier lessons in The Truth Project examined the divine imprint on family and societal structures, Lesson 8 delves into the deeply personal and corporate dimensions of our union with God. Dr. Tackett emphasizes that this union is the greatest wonder we will contemplate in the entire study. It is not a distant or abstract theological concept but a living, relational reality that redefines Christianity itself. Christianity, he argues, is not primarily a moral code, a philosophical system, or a religious ritual. Instead, it is a dynamic, intimate relationship with a personal Creator who has come to make His dwelling within us.

To illustrate this profound truth, Dr. Tackett draws on an array of scriptural passages and biblical imagery. On the corporate level, he points to Jesus’ discourse in John 15:5, where Christ describes Himself as the vine and believers as the branches. This metaphor underscores the necessity of “abiding” in Him to bear fruit, highlighting the interconnectedness of the body of Christ. Similarly, Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 repeatedly emphasizes the oneness shared between the Father, the Son, and the community of believers: “I in them and You in Me.” The apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme, stressing the unity and mutual edification of the church in passages like 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Ephesians 2:19-22, and Galatians 3:28-29. These scriptures paint a picture of a collective body, bound together by love and the “one another” commandments found throughout the New Testament, such as John 13:34-35 (“Love one another”), Romans 12:10 (“Be devoted to one another”), and Ephesians 4:2 (“Bear with one another”).

On the individual level, the Unio Mystica takes on an even more intimate dimension. Dr. Tackett cites Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:7, where He speaks of being “born again” as a transformative spiritual rebirth. This personal renewal is further illuminated by Jesus’ promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17, which assures believers that God’s presence will abide within them. Paul’s declaration in 2 Corinthians 5:17—“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”—underscores the radical transformation that occurs when Christ takes residence in the believer’s heart. Perhaps most strikingly, Paul’s bold claim in Galatians 2:20—“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me”—captures the essence of this personal union. The God of the universe, infinite and transcendent, chooses to dwell fully within each individual believer, not as a mere fragment but in His complete and infinite self.

The Unio Mystica is described as a “profound mystery,” a term borrowed from Ephesians 5:31-32, where Paul likens the union between Christ and the church to the oneness of husband and wife. This mystery is not something we can fully comprehend with our finite minds, but it is meant to inspire awe, wonder, and worship. Dr. Tackett stresses that to reduce this reality to a simple statement of fact is to miss its transformative power. The thought that the infinite Creator has come to dwell within us—Immanuel, God with us and in us—should evoke a response of joy, fear, and adoration. It is a truth that drives us to our knees, deepening our hunger for intimacy with God and fueling our desire to know Him more.

This relational aspect of Christianity sets it apart from other worldviews. While moral systems and philosophies offer rules or intellectual frameworks, Christianity offers a living relationship with a personal God. Dr. Tackett connects this to the biblical concept of “eternal life,” which Jesus defines in John 17:3 as knowing God intimately. This knowing is not merely intellectual but experiential, akin to the deep, personal knowledge shared between Adam and Eve in their marital union. To grasp this truth, even partially, is to be transformed, as it reorients our entire lives toward pursuing closeness with God.

Despite the beauty of the Unio Mystica, Dr. Tackett warns of potential dysfunctions that can arise when we misunderstand or misapply this truth. One significant pitfall is the tendency to “blur the spheres”—that is, to confuse the unique social laws of one sphere with those of another. For example, some may assume that individual worship can fully replace the corporate fellowship of the church, saying, “I don’t need church; I can worship God on my own.” While personal devotion is vital, it cannot fulfill the role of the body of Christ, which is designed for mutual edification and communal worship. Conversely, others may believe that attending church services alone is sufficient to experience the Unio Mystica, neglecting the personal, intimate relationship with God that requires individual faith and surrender.

Another danger lies in the human hunger for significance, which Dr. Tackett identifies as the single greatest barrier to intimacy with God and others. When this hunger is directed outside of God’s covenant relationships, it leads to spiritual and social pathologies. Scripture frequently uses marital imagery to describe this infidelity, warning against “prostituting” ourselves to idols or “going a-whoring” after other gods (Numbers 15:38-39). Just as spouses are called to seek fulfillment within the marriage covenant, believers are to find their significance in their covenant relationship with God. When we chase self-importance through pride, jealousy, or the approval of others, we cut ourselves off from the oneness God desires.

Dr. Tackett illustrates this with two powerful examples. First, he points to King Saul, whose jealousy of David—sparked by the women’s song, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands”—threatened his sense of significance and opened the door to demonic influence. Similarly, the Pharisees’ ostentatious displays, such as lengthening their tassels and widening their phylacteries (Matthew 6), were driven by a desire to be seen and admired by others. In both cases, the hunger for self-significance led to isolation and spiritual ruin. These stories serve as a sobering reminder that our quest for meaning must be anchored in God alone, who offers true fulfillment through His love.

The message of the Unio Mystica is not just theological; it is deeply personal and transformational. Dr. Tackett challenges us to reflect on how deeply we believe in the reality of God dwelling within us. For many, God feels more “out there” than “in here,” and our thoughts and actions often reflect this disconnect. If we truly grasped that the infinite God lives within us, it would revolutionize our lives, shaping our priorities, relationships, and worship.

This truth also deepens our appreciation for the price paid for this union. The Unio Mystica was made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus, who was “wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). His precious blood purchased not only our forgiveness but also our access to the inner sanctum of the Godhead. This realization should fill us with wonder, love, and praise, compelling us to walk closer with Him and to seek His truth and love more fervently.

So, how do we enter into this deep and intimate relationship with God? Dr. Tackett points to faith in Christ’s sacrifice as the gateway. Through trusting in Jesus, we are united with God, born again, and filled with His Spirit. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, scripture, worship, and obedience, as well as through active participation in the body of Christ. By abiding in Him, we experience the fullness of the Unio Mystica, finding all our needs for significance and fulfillment satisfied in His love.

The Unio Mystica is a call to embrace the mystery of God’s presence, to guard against the pitfalls of pride and isolation, and to live in awe of the privilege of knowing Him. It is an invitation to rest in Christ, to love one another, and to reflect His glory in every sphere of life. As we contemplate this truth, may we be filled with an ever-deepening hunger to walk closely with our Creator, transformed by the wonder of His indwelling presence.