Conclusions

From Luther to Steiner

The Gospel of John concludes with the statement that if all the deeds and miracles that Christ conducted on earth were to be told, that it would fill up a library. Christianity only asks us to believe the historical facts as described in its books. Since these events took place in time, they exist in the "trace of time", just as the time of our life exists and is retained as memories. Verification requires more than ordinary mind, which can only theorize and realize an outer, measurable, surface proof for everything. Reductive and adductive reasoning work on self-illumination and inner reflectivity, that makes this trace possible, and allows these events to be verified as historically true and accurate. Martin Luther tried to establish a reformation of the church in defiance of the catholic autocracy and provided little more than a new set of dogmas with fewer ceremonies. What started out as a great idea, inspired by the likes of Eckhart and Tauler, who were mystics, and rose to a definite act of courage when Luther posted his 95 theses against the selling of indulgences on the church door at Wittenberg, became over time mired in chaos, dispute, denunciations, etc. The Protestant church was forced to compromise at a level below its true original intent, and today expresses watered-down Christianity much like the catholic religion.

Interestingly, the year 2003 marked the 95th anniversary of an extraordinary activity that began in 1908, when Rudolf Steiner began to give his lectures on the gospels, their relationship to each other, the Book of Revelation, the meaning of the apocalypse, and how Jesus and Christ relate to each other. In 1913, he gave "The Fifth Gospel", which served to restore the knowledge of the original "Q" gospel known to the Hebrews even before Christ came to earth. This was a major accomplishment, but little known today. In effect, Rudolf Steiner completed the work started by Martin Luther for a true Christianity based on real knowledge of real events and their significance in the evolution of mankind. All told, his work encompasses some 400 volumes of spiritual science accomplished over the course of the first quarter of the 20th century. He was much vilified in his own land, which is perplexing, considering the German pride in its intellect. But he was before his time, and this creates problems. In fact, a book that heralds Steiner’s legitimate successorship of Luther was written in 1923, by Ernst Boldt, who was a disciple. This book is acknowledged on this site somewhere.