Kristen upplysning

En del newageare, särskilt de med buddhistisk läggning, brukar sätta insikt eller upplysning i centrum för sin övningsreligion och säger sig sakna något liknande element i kristendomen - den verkar handla endast om tro och krånglig teologi, mindre om en erfarenhetsmässig upplysning.

Här finns emellertid goda nyheter: kristendomen handlar verkligen om upplysning, en radikal sådan. Studera noga följande ord av Kyrillos av Jerusalem:

1. ALREADY there is an odour of blessedness upon you, O ye who are soon to be enlightened1: already ye are gathering the spiritual flowers, to weave heavenly crowns: already the fragrance of the Holy Spirit has breathed upon you: already ye have gathered round the vestibule of the King's palace; may ye be led in also by the King! For blossoms now have appeared upon the trees; may the fruit also be found perfect! Thus far there has been an inscription of your names, and a call to service, and torches of the bridal train, and a longing for heavenly citizenship, and a good purpose, and hope attendant thereon. For he lieth not who said, that to them that love God all things work together for good. God is lavish in beneficence, yet He waits for each man's genuine will: therefore the Apostle added and said, to them that are called according to a purpose. The honesty of purpose makes thee called: for if thy body be here but not thy mind, it profiteth thee nothing.

2. Even Simon Magus once came to the Laver: he was baptized, but was not enlightened; and though he dipped his body in water, he enlightened not his heart with the Spirit: his body went down and came up, but his soul was not buried with Christ, nor raised with Him. Now I mention the statements of (men's) falls, that thou mayest not fall: for these things happened to them by way of example, and they are written for the admonition of those who to this day draw near. Let none of you be found tempting His grace, lest any root of bitterness spring up and trouble you. Let none of you enter saying, Let us see what the faithful are doing: let me go in and see, that I may learn what is being done. Dost thou expect to see, and not expect to be seen? And thinkest thou, that whilst thou art searching out what is going on, God is not searching thy heart?

Och detta är för nybörjarna, de som ännu inte trängt in i katekesen som alla tidiga kristna behövde genomgå. Inte saknas elementet upplysning inte!