Building Stones for an Understanding of the Mystery of Golgotha

The following lectures were given by Rudolf Steiner to audiences familiar with the general background of his anthroposophical teachings. He constantly emphasized the distinction between his written works and reports of lectures which were given as oral communications and were not originally intended for print. It should also be remembered that certain premises were taken for granted when the words were spoken. “These premises”, Rudolf Steiner writes in his autobiography, “include at the very least the anthroposophical knowledge of Man and of the Cosmos in its spiritual essence; also of what may be called 'anthroposophical history', told as an outcome of research into the spiritual world.”

As this course of lectures takes for granted considerable knowledge of ancient history, theological development and the literature and philosophy of nineteenth century Germany, notes and references helpful to students have been added by the translator at the end of each lecture.

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A list of certain relevant publications in English translation suggested for study and a summarized plan of the Complete Edition of Rudolf Steiner's works in the original German will be found at the end of the present volume.