The Essence of Christianity

GA 68a — 6 March 1907, Bonn

27. Esoteric Christianity

Outer science, the so-called exoteric science, leaves a person as they essentially are. Esoteric knowledge, however, changes a person, making them a different person. The nature of these esoteric schools has changed with the appearance of Christ Jesus on Earth.

One sentence of the highest importance is quoted here: “Blessed are those who believe even when they see nothing.” (John 20:29) This sentence signifies the complete transformation of the entire initiation process, of the wisdom schools of the past into those of the times after the mystery of Golgotha. Esoteric Christianity knows that in Jesus of Nazareth a higher than a supreme human individuality, the God, dwelled. People become restless at this fact. Since the Mystery of Golgotha, what matters for the human being is the personality of Christ Jesus and their personal relationship with him. Since the appearance of Christ Jesus on earth, it has been possible, through faith, to be initiated not only in the innermost part of the temple of mystery, but also outside in the world. This is the new power that Christ Jesus brought into the world. Saul's conversion to Paul, that is, his initiation, could not have happened in the world before the appearance of Christ Jesus. Dr. Steiner now discusses the fourfold point of view that a person can take towards religion, towards the four Gospels.

1. The first point of view is that of the naive believer.
2. the second is that of the clever person.
3. The third is the symbolic person,
4. the fourth is the person who takes the Bible literally.

The I is the ineffable name of God, the God in the human soul; God begins to speak there.