Lord of the Elements

Quick Look

• A fascinating exploration of the connections between Christianity and the natural world
• This unique book brings the four elements together with ideas from Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy
• Spiritual thinker Bastian Baan considers how nature spirits relate to these elements and the role of elemental beings in our world

An experienced Christian Community thinker brings the classical elements together with elemental beings.

Description

The four classical elements of earth, water, air and fire are present in Genesis and continue to be significant throughout Christianity. Different streams of thought, such as the School of Chartres, and Celtic Christianity, have emphasised the elements in different ways.

In this unique book, Bastiaan Baan, an experienced spiritual thinker, brings these elements together with ideas from Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy. He considers, in particular, how elemental beings -- nature spirits -- relate to the four elements, and explores the role of elemental beings in our world.

This is a fascinating and original work on the connections between Christianity and the natural world.

Table of Contents

What is matter
The path through the elements in the mystery centres
Lord of the elements
Elemental beings
Genesis and the four elements
The elements in the New Testament
John the alchemist
The elements and the sacraments
The School of Chartres and the goddess Natura
Elemental beings in nature
Natural disasters
Seeing with other eyes
Elemental beings in art and science
The role of the angelic hierarchies and the adversary powers
New developments and experiences
Elemental beings in future

Reviews

'Baan presents us with a rich and lively narrative… [he] gives us many helpful and practical ideas on how to approach nature in a Christ-filled way … This book can enable us to take a positive step towards our right destiny as human beings. It can be used as a friendly guide and source of encouragement so that each of us can find the courage to stand upright, free from the bonds of materialism, balanced between the earth at our feet and the heavens at our head.'
-- Perspectives

Author

Bastiaan Baan worked as a teacher in the Netherlands before being ordained in 1981. He was a Christian Community priest in the Netherlands and is currently director of the priests' seminary in Spring Valley, NY. He lectures widely, and has written many books. Lord of the Elements is his first book to be published in English.