Rudolf Steiner's Research into the Gospels Paths to a ... - Goetheanum

Rudolf Steiner’s Research into the Gospels
Paths to a Deepened Awareness of Christ
Dear Members of the Anthroposophical Society,
dear Friends,
The diversity of Rudolf Steiner’s works opens different possibilities to
access Anthroposophy. His lectures of the gospels, however, offer a special
understanding, because here Rudolf Steiner speaks to us as christological
scientist. Rudolf Steiner’s Gospel Research provides a foundation to practice
Christ-Awareness in such a way that questions arise which can usually
not be covered satisfactorily through traditional Christian education. The
deeper existential questions within a human being require a methodical
and transparent path of knowledge which contains comprehensive levels
that reach back into the ancient mysteries. The history of Christianity and
its missionary intentions can hinder non-Christian cultures from accessing
the Christ-Being.
Anthroposophy offers universal views of the Christ-Being. Especially in
his Gospel Research Rudolf Steiner developed new and universal levels
which are accessible to each culture and religion.
Even in his early years Rudolf Steiner recognized the necessity for a
deepened Christ-Awareness and he demonstrated how Christianity is a
historical and at the same time a mystical fact within human evlolution.
This insight was published in 1902 in his book “Christianity as Mystical
Fact”, in which the seeds of his later research into the Gospels are already
contained. In 1907 he started to give lectures on the four gospels1 which
opened completely new horizons.
During his address for the Laying of the Foundation Stone for the First
Goetheanum on September 20, 1913, he spoke for the first time the
“Macro cosmic Lord’s Prayer” from the “Fifth Gospel”2. Various presentations
concerning the “Fifth Gospel” were given at different locations
until 1914. In his first lecture Rudolf Steiner said “… this Fifth Gospel is
as old as the other four gospels” (October 1, 1913, Oslo).