The Rudolf Steiner Archive

74. The Wisdom Teachings of Christianity

[ 1 ] We are asked to include the following lines:

[ 2 ] Despite the inclement weather, a select audience had gathered last Friday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m. at the Harmonie Halls in Freiburg. Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Secretary-General of the Theosophical Society (German Section), spoke on “The Wisdom Teachings of Christianity.” In a nearly two-hour-long, spontaneous, and brilliant speech, he explored his topic from the perspectives of the history and philosophy of religion, using this approach to demonstrate, on the one hand, that theosophical currents within Christianity sought and found their foundation in the person of Jesus, and, on the other hand, that theosophy alone enabled one to recognize and grasp the innermost, deepest, spiritual core of truth in Christian teaching. He drew detailed parallels between the ancient Greek mystery schools and the “life” of Jesus. Most lovingly and movingly, however, the speaker dwelled on the mystics of the Middle Ages—the theosophers “Eckhart” and “Tauler,” among others—who, in the face of the superstition and the faithful’s lack of understanding of their time, possessed and disseminated such a unique and deeply inner spiritual understanding of Christian doctrine. The same task falls to Theosophy in the present day as well. Truth is eternal, but the form in which it is appropriated changes. Every generation needs its own way of professing its innermost convictions. Today’s generation needs and demands eternal truth in a new form. A deep rift runs through the human race. An unbridgeable chasm yawns between the traditional yet rigid teachings of the Christian churches and the new perspectives, new achievements, and new ways of life of modern humanity. How many followers and pitiful victims materialism has found there! Through Theosophy, a new perception of things and an inner understanding of all physical and spiritual life are imparted—something that neither rigid orthodoxy nor spirit-denying unbelief is capable of: a return to the very foundation of things, a living within and a deep immersion in the spiritual, the eternal, and the divine. In this way, Theosophy also points to the correct understanding of the wisdom teachings of Christianity. – These few words could only hint at the speaker’s witty, clear, and compelling remarks. To truly understand, one must hear him speak for oneself. Well, in a few weeks we will have the opportunity to welcome this profound master to our city. Dr. Rudolf Steiner will soon be speaking publicly in Colmar as well. And his success there will certainly be no less than it was in Freiburg. –