Jesus, Lazarus, and the Messiah: Unveiling Three Christian Mysteries

by Robert Powell Charles S. Tidball

Overview

"Humanity as a whole produced evangelists as mediators, who provided revelations that can be understood only gradually. These scriptures will be understood more and more as humanity progresses." --Rudolf Steiner, 1911

At the heart of the mystery of Christianity, we encounter the divinity of Jesus Christ--the revelation of the descent of God from the spiritual world into the material world for the sake of humanity. To unveil the meaning of this cosmic event, authors Charles Tidball and Robert Powell (in two chapters) draw on four very different sources: the Gospels themselves, medieval and Renaissance tradition and art, the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, and the spiritual science, or Anthroposophy, of Rudolf Steiner.

Viewing the former in the light of the latter, the authors unravel three key riddles: the nature of Jesus, the identity of Lazarus and the meaning of his initiatory "raising from the dead," and the Messianic mystery of the incarnation of the Christ. In the process, much is learned of the actual dating of the Gospel events, as well the repercussions of these events in history.

This is a book for all those who want a deeper understanding of the New Testament Gospels and, especially, for those interested in the "Jesus mysteries."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621511427
Publisher:	SteinerBooks
Publication date:	05/01/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Charles S. Tidball (1928-2018) was born in Geneva, Switzerland. A scientist and a doctor, he earned multiple degrees: an M.S. in Pharmacology, a Ph.D in Physiology, and an M.D. For many years Dr. Tidball was Professor and Chair of the Department of Physiology at George Washington University, which in 1992 designated him professor emeritus of computer medicine and neurological surgery. He was also a pioneer in computer-based instructional and information-retrieval systems. After retirement, he served at the Washington National Cathedral and dedicated his considerable energies to writing, including a book written with his wife and two colleagues, Taking Women Seriously: Lessons and Legacies for Educating the Majority. Dr. Tidball became a student of Rudolf Steiner's spiritual science (Anthroposophy) in 1948. His books include Jesus, Lazarus, and the Messiah (2005) and Holy Visions, Sacred Stories (2012).
Robert A. Powell, PhD, is an internationally known lecturer, author, eurythmist, and movement therapist. He is founder of the Choreocosmos School of Cosmic and Sacred Dance, and cofounder of the Sophia Foundation of North America. He received his doctorate for his thesis The History of the Zodiac, available as a book from Sophia Academic Press. He is the author and coauthor of numerous work, including The Sophia Teachings (a six-tape series), as well as numerous books on star wisdom (Astrosophy), the divine feminine (Sophia), the Christian Mysteries, and sacred movement. He has also been a contributing editor of the annual journal Star Wisdom. He translated the spiritual classic Meditations on the Tarot and co-translated Valentin Tomberg's Lazarus, Come Forth! Robert teaches a gentle form of healing movement: the sacred dance of eurythmy, as well as the Cosmic Dances of the Planets and signs of the zodiac. Through the Sophia Grail Circle, Robert facilitates sacred celebrations dedicated to the Divine Feminine. He has also offered numerous workshops in Europe and Australia, and with Karen Rivers, cofounder of the Sophia Foundation, and has led pilgrimages to the world's sacred sites since 1996.

Christopher Bamford (1943-2022) was born in Cardiff, South Wales, and lived for a while in Hungary and then in Scotland. He studied as an undergraduate at Trinity University in Dublin and earned his master's degree at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania. For nearly thirty years, he was Editor in Chief at SteinerBooks (Anthroposophic Press) and its imprints. A Fellow of the Lindisfarne Association, he lectured, taught, and wrote widely on Western spiritual and esoteric traditions. His books include a selection of his numerous introductions, Encountering Rudolf Steiner: Introductions to Essential Works (2022); Healing Madonnas: Exploring the Sequence of Madonna Images Created by Rudolf Steiner and Felix Peipers for Use in Therapy and Meditation (2017); An Endless Trace: The Passionate Pursuit of Wisdom in the West (2003); and The Voice of the Eagle: The Heart of Celtic Christianity (1990). He also translated and edited numerous books, including Homage to Pythagoras: Rediscovering Sacred Science (2001); The Noble Traveller: The Life and Writings of O. V. de L. Milosz (1984); and Celtic Christianity: Ecology and Holiness (1982). Essays by Mr. Bamford are included in The Best Spiritual Writing 2000 ("In the Presence of Death") and The Best American Spiritual Writing 2005 ("The Gift of the Call"). Christopher passed over the threshold on May 13, 2022, at his Mt. Washington, Massachusetts home.

Table of Contents

C O N T E N T S:

Foreword by Christopher Bamford
Introduction: The Interrelations

Part One: Developing an Understanding

Frames of Reference
Primary Sources
Significant Methodology

Part Two: The Mystery of the Two Jesus Children

Biblical Evidence
Artistic Evidence
Preparation for the Incarnation
Alternative Viewpoints

Part Three: The Mystery of the Beloved Disciple

Three Different Views on Lazarus
From the Scholarship of Dr. König
From the Visions of Sister Emmerich
The John Mystery (by Robert Powell)
The Johannine Tradition (by Robert Powell)

Part Four: The Mystery of the Incarnation of the Christ Being

Further Understandings from "Chronicle of Christ's Ministry"

Further Material:

Afterword

Appendices:
Biographical Material
Authenticity of Sister Emmerich's Visions
The Bare-Bones Story (21 BCE-CE 44)
Selected Entries from "Chronicle of Christ's Ministry"
Three Excerpts from Irene Johanson's Book The Three Disciples Called John

Glossary