This book records seven years of conversations with the spirit of St. Stephen the Martyr, between 1974-80, Thomas Ashman, being the channel. The experience began in Tunbridge Wells, in the UK when Ashman's wife Olive heard him say, in his sleep, Sic Ecclesia Spiritus Sanctus, "Thus in the Church is the Holy Spirit". Although he had not been a medium before, Ashman, was able to go into deep trance, and allow Stephen to communicate with Olive.
Almost on that same day, the Rev Michael Cocks in Christchurch New Zealand, was handed a book of hand written prophecies from a stranger, prophesying what was to come. Three months later the Ashmans moved to NZ, and almost immediately synchronicity had Michael meeting Thomas and Olive, and joining with others in a group questioning Stephen.
Stephen's teaching is in line with that of the Gospel of St. John, the Sermon on the Mount, the Perennial Philosophy, the Stoics, and with the thinking of some leading modern theoretical physicists. It is close to modern Franciscan teaching.
Stephen focuses so much on Christianity's heart, that Evangelicals, Charismatics, Catholics, and Liberal Christians alike, could accept his spiritual guidance, and be led ever deeper in life in Christ.
This Christ, while revealed in organised religion, is in all, through all, and above all.
Many kinds of internal evidence, and the very spirituality have led linguists, scientists, theologians, and philosophers to affirm that the teaching is genuinely Stephen's.
That he made himself known, and taught, in itself speaks volumes about the resurrection, and the reality of life in Spirit.
His teaching relates to the main themes of Christianity: the Fall, the Cross, the Atonement, Salvation, Life in Christ, the Communion of Saints, Grace, Holy Spirit, Guidance, and Love. He teaches from the point of view of Spirit. His theology is close to that of St John. Yet Christ is universal, and not confined to Christianity.
More information can be found at www.thegroundoffaith.net/stephen
