CW 164 The Value of Thinking: Lecture 4 (Dornach, 20 September 1915) by Rudolf Steiner

A guide to developing spiritual perception through disciplined thinking, feeling, and willing, leading to direct experience of the higher worlds.

In 'Christianity as Mystical Fact,' Rudolf Steiner explores the esoteric dimensions of Christianity, viewing it as a mystical and experiential path to spiritual knowledge. He delves into the historical and spiritual contexts of Christianity, interpreting its central events and figures through the lens of spiritual science. Steiner seeks to reveal the deeper, hidden meanings within Christian traditions, emphasizing personal spiritual development and inner transformation. The book examines the role of Christ as a pivotal figure in human evolution, offering a unique perspective on Christian teachings. Steiner's work aims to bridge the gap between conventional religious understanding and a more profound, mystical comprehension of Christianity.

Faust, written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is a two-part dramatic work that tells the story of a scholar named Faust who, dissatisfied with his life and seeking infinite knowledge and power, makes a pact with Mephistopheles, the Devil's representative. Part I focuses on Faust's despair, his pact with Mephistopheles, and his tragic love affair with Gretchen, which ends in her downfall. Part II is more allegorical and symbolic, following Faust through various experiences, including his life at court and his encounter with Helen of Troy, before his eventual salvation through God's grace and the intercession of Gretchen. The work is renowned for its blend of lyric, epic, dramatic, operatic, and balletic elements, and its exploration of theological, mythological, philosophical, and cultural themes.