The Christian Mystery: Lectures

Rudolf Steiner

SteinerBooks, 1998 - Religion - 287 pages

In this major collection, Rudolf Steiner affirms the reality of esoteric Christianity and unveils many of its secret teachings. His lectures are on the significance of the Mystery of Golgotha and of the Blood that flowed on the Cross; the relationship of Christ and Lucifer (or Love and Knowledge); the various paths of initiation, including the Christian-Gnostic and Rosicrucian Paths; and Steiner's early interpretations of St. John's gospel and the sermon on the mount. All of Steiner's lectures on the Lord's Prayer are also included, as well as the version of the prayer that Steiner himself prayed throughout his life.

This is an excellent book for all those who want to deepen their understanding of the Western stream of Christian esotericism and Rudolf Steiner's approach to Christianity as a spiritual practice.

Contents

• Introduction by Christopher Bamford: 9
• PROLOGUE: 17
• The Significance of Christmas from: 25
• The Origin of Religious Confessions: 32
• February 9 1906 Düsseldorf: 41
• The Mystery of Golgotha: 48
• The Promise of the Spirit of Truth: 59
• The WorldHistorical Significance: 66
• The Purification of the Blood from the Passion: 85
• Lucifer the Bearer of Light Christ the Bringer of Love: 105
• PATHS OF INITIATION: 123
• The Yoga Path Christian Gnostic Initiation: 133
• How Does One Gain Higher Knowledge: 144
• Who Are the Rosicrucians?: 151
• Christian Initiation and Rosicrucian Training: 160
• Earlier Initiation and Esoteric Christianity: 183
• Christian Gnostic Meditations: 193
• The Lords Prayer as Prayed by Rudolf Steiner: 199
• The Lords Prayer Considered Esoterically Part I: 221
• GOSPEL READINGS: 249
• EPILOGUE: 275
• Further Reading: 285

About the author

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe's scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner's multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Christian Mystery: Lectures
• Author: Rudolf Steiner
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: SteinerBooks, 1998
• ISBN: 0880104198, 9780880104197
• Length: 287 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christianity / General; Religion / Theosophy