Introducing a study group of the Johannesburg Anthroposophical Society, led by Michaël Merle, where participants will embark on an illuminating journey through the book Christianity as Mystical Fact and the Mysteries of Antiquity by Rudolf Steiner.
“As simultaneously mysticism and fact, Christianity is a breakthrough in the historical development of humanity, for which the mysteries, with the results that they brought about, form a prior evolutionary stage.” ― Rudolf Steiner
During the fall and winter of 1901–02, Steiner gave a series of lectures called “Christianity as Mystical Fact” to members of the Theosophical Society. The lectures were rewritten and issued as a book later that year. They mark a watershed in the development of Western esotericism.
Steiner wrote of the idea behind his book:
“The title Christianity as Mystical Fact was one I gave to this work eight years ago, when I gathered together the content of lectures given in 1902. It was meant to indicate the special approach adopted in the book. Its theme is not just the mystical side of Christianity in a historical presentation. It was meant to show, from the standpoint of a mystical awareness, how Christianity came into being.
“Behind this was the idea that spiritual happenings were factors in the emergence of Christianity, which could only be observed from such a point of view. It is for the book itself to demonstrate that, by ‘mystical,’ I do not in any way imply a vague intuition rather than strict scientific argument. In many circles, mysticism is understood as just that, and therefore it is distinguished from the concerns of all ‘genuine’ science.
“In this book, however, I use the term to mean a ‘presentation of spiritual reality’―a reality accessible only to a knowledge drawn from the sources of spiritual life itself. Anyone who denies the possibility of such knowledge in principle will find its contents hard to comprehend; any reader who accepts the idea that mysticism may coexist with the clarity of the natural sciences, may acknowledge that the mystical aspect of Christianity must be described mystically.”
This is a significant book―for Steiner’s own development, that of Western esotericism, and our own understanding of the Christ event. Readers will find the evolutionary development from the ancient Mysteries through the great Greek philosophers to the events portrayed in the Gospels.
Included are an informative introduction and annotated notes by Andrew Welburn and an afterword by Michael Debus, a priest of The Christian Community, who summarizes the book and places it in context.
Under the expert guidance of Michaël, you will have the opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussions, ask questions, and share insights with like-minded individuals. The group will meet every Monday night at 19:00 on Zoom for a one-hour session.
About Michaël Merle:
For twenty-one years he was involved in Waldorf Education as a high school teacher, teacher trainer and training coordinator. Now Michaël is a priest in The Christian Community, Movement for Religious Renewal.
Day: Mondays
Time: 19h00 to 20h00 SAST
Venue: Zoom
Cost: Donations are welcome to support us to keep offering these types of study sessions.
Please RSVP to us on hello@anthroposophy.joburg to get the zoom details.