The Rudolf Steiner Archive

55. Theosophy and the Bible

[ 1 ] When people speak of the Bible in our present day, among various other thoughts and feelings, the following two impressions may well arise in them. The first may stem from contemplating the immense impact this book has had on humanity throughout the long history of the development of spiritual life. And whoever reflects on this impact and recalls even a little how much edification—not only that, but above all strength, hope, and a sense of comfort—has flowed from this book over almost infinitely long periods of time will be unable to resist a profound sense of awe and devoted appreciation for the influence of this book. But in our time, in the spiritual life of the present, a completely different impression may arise alongside this one.

[ 2 ] When we look back on the early days of Christianity, we find that the Bible was initially a book that was completely inaccessible to the general public. This was, of course, at a time when the general public had no access to literature whatsoever. Previously, the Bible was not only in the hands of those who throw sand in people’s eyes, but also of serious scholars.

[ 3 ] Precisely to the extent that the Bible spread, its contents also lost their persuasive power. It lost its significance for those who were able to open the great book of natural enlightenment [?]. The emerging natural sciences, with all their achievements, gave humanity a belief—for example [?]—regarding the origin of the world and the solar system that was no longer compatible with the Bible for many.

[ 4 ] 1811–13 Fichte: Lectures in Berlin.

[ 5 ] Through the eyes of the seer, [the] development of the Earth can be traced. [Transcript breaks off.]