The Mystery of the Trinity and the Mission of the Spirit
8 lectures by Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner's first four talks in this book deal with the development of theology from the view of spiritual science, or anthroposophy. Beginning with the early Christian gnostic inner understanding of the Christ event, Steiner shows how medieval theology came to an outer, materialistic view of the spiritual world that, along with the rise of abstract intellectuality, led to the split between faith and knowledge.

Using examples from Dionysius the Areopagite, Scotus Erigena, Paracelsus, and Goethe, Steiner places the evolution of consciousness and the task of the Michaelic age in a Christian context. The last four talks demonstrate the presence of theology in the anthroposophic worldview.

Trans. J. Hindes
8 lectures, Dornach, Oxford and London, July-Aug. 1922, GA214
Anthroposophic Press
128pp, hardback
ISBN: 0 88010 353 1

 

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) called his spiritual philosophy 'anthroposophy', which he defined as 'the consciousness of one's humanity', and the disciplined methods of studying this he termed ‘spiritual science’.  As a highly developed clairvoyant and spiritual initiate, he spoke from his direct cognition of the spiritual world. However, he did not see his work as religious or sectarian, but rather sought to found a universal 'science of the spirit'.

His many published works (written books and lectures) - which include his research into the spiritual nature of the human being, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal development - invite readers to develop their own spiritual faculties.  He also provided indications for the renewal of many human activities, including education - both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, religion and the arts. He wrote some 30 books and delivered over 6000 lectures across Europe, and in 1924 founded the General Anthroposophical Society which today has branches throughout the world.