The only direction of evolution is “convergence” –
which is both positive and creative –
the creation of evermore complex life forms
the “Axial Period” within that positive direction
happened between 800 and 200 years before Christ
in China (Confucius and Lao Tzu)/India (Buddha)/
Persia (Zoroaster)/Israel (Prophets)
all arose and transformed everything
that human beings could be
Hugh and Richard Saint Victor
Christian philosophers/mystics
wrote in the 12th century that there are three eyes:
the first eye of flesh gives us sight
the second eye of reason gives us meditation/reflection
and the third eye of contemplation gives us true understanding –
the ability to see with the eyes of the heart –
the brothers Saint Victor continued the God-given
unfolding of human consciousness
but in Buddhism and Christianity there has also always been
a “contemptus mundi” – a contempt for the world
however, churches in the postmodern world
can no longer pretend they are the only sources of grace
and that the Holy Spirit is not active in all civilizations
or churches will continue to become irrelevant/fringe groups
the tradition of churches condemning their best thinkers
like Meister Eckhart (who in 1329 was labelled a heretic)
means that the real victim was not Eckhart himself
but Christianity since Eckhart’s “Creation Spirituality “
which is Jewish/biblical/prophetic
was replaced by an anti-intellectual asceticism
which is apolitical/dualistic/introverted not world-shaking
still, conscious evolution goes on –
Christianity finally shifted from the fall/redemption
Era of Peter from Constantine’s Holy Roman Empire
in 310 AD to the 1960s – the beginning of the Era of John
a mystic of the Cosmic Christ
who promoted Cosmic Consciousness
and noted that even Peter was a mystic –
for he repeated three times
“Lord, you know that I love you” (John 21:15-17).
Intelligent Christian Spirituality 
The Holy Spirit is only active in Christians, who live in the Spirit. Unbelievers do not have the Spirit and can’t understand the things of God, nor can they please Him since they continue in unbelief. This is basic Romans 8 and Hebrews content.
As for Peter’s thrice repeated statement on loving Christ, the proper parallel is that Peter was being asked about his love for Christ after denying Christ three times. He did not say it as a wise mystic with much knowledge, but rather a troubled man aiming to please his Saviour, for the text says “Peter was grieved” that Jesus asked him a third time.
Mr. Tallman, you must repent, and stop blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Each breath we have is a gift from God, but it is appointed once for man to die, and then come to judgment.
Your words, though they sound wise in your ears, are folly, as they contradict Scripture, and you yourself dismiss the Scripture with warnings against ‘fundamentalism.’ Christ died to atone for sins, and we must repent of our sins, coming to Him and by His name alone, to be saved.
There is only one name by which we are saved, and it isn’t Buddha, it isn’t Vishnu, it isn’t the false Jesus who never judges and promises all religions salvation. No, it’s the real Jesus, who will return one day wielding a sword, who will rule the nations with a rod of iron. We can’t delude ourselves to believe that those who try to mix Scripture with other religions are following sound doctrine, let alone living lives pleasing to God.
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