The Rudolf Steiner Archive

49. The Arrival of Christ in the Western World

Article in “Aftenposten” from May 13, 1909

[ 1 ] Yesterday, in the Brüder-Hals-Saal, the Secretary-General of the German Section of the Theosophical Society delivered a captivating lecture—presented with outstanding eloquence—to a large audience on the topic “The Entry of Christ into the Western World.” The speaker began with an interesting comparison of the fundamental characteristics of the major religions and demonstrated how the Christ principle must take root in the strong drive toward the development of individuality found among the European peoples.

[ 2 ] In a certain sense, Theosophy marks the same breakthrough in the religious life of peoples as the introduction of scientific methods of inquiry in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Just as the scientist uses his instruments to investigate the mysteries of external nature, the theosophist uses the instrument within his soul to explore the purely spiritual universe that lies behind the veil of the sensory world, and develops his individuality and personality by delving even deeper into the mystery of Christ.

[ 3 ] The sense of individuality—that fresh, youthful sense of self—is most pronounced among the Germanic peoples. The speaker cited Fichte’s philosophy and Ibsen’s powerful poetry, which he described as “the conscience of the European self.”

[ 4 ] Dr. Steiner added that the great law of theosophy—that the soul is born and evolves from life to life—is in no way contrary to the Christian doctrine of salvation.