The Origins of the Creed of the Christian Community

Quick Look

• Examines the history of Christian creeds – including the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed – and compares them to each other
• Explores the ongoing significance of the creed for The Christian Community today
• By prolific author and lecturer Peter Selg

An insightful and informative overview of how, in the time leading up to the founding of The Christian Community nearly one hundred years ago, Rudolf Steiner formulated both the creed itself and its founding principles.

Description

Unlike other Christian creeds, the creed of The Christian Community is not a statement of belief, but rather a series of assertions that act as a path to a deeper understanding of Christianity.

Peter Selg offers an insightful and informative overview of how, in the time leading up to the founding of The Christian Community nearly one hundred years ago, Rudolf Steiner formulated both the creed itself and its founding principles.

He also examines the history of Christian creeds – including the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed – and compares them to each other. Finally, he explores the ongoing significance of the creed for The Christian Community today.

Table of Contents

Anthroposophy and religion
Before the founding of The Christian Community
First reading of the Creed of The Christian Community
Finding the words for the new Creed
The development of the text of the Creed
Christian Community works on the Creed
The Creed as preparation for baptism
First formulation of the Creed
The Creed as a defence against gnosis
The Nicene Creed
The priest and the Creed
Comparison of versions of the Creed
Steiner’s reticence in explaining the Creed
Our responsibility today
The Creed for the future
Notes
Bibliography

Reviews

'This clearly written and comprehensive overview of the history of the creed through the ages and the importance of its renewal at the time of the foundation of The Christian Community [...] will certainly help those who are new to the words of the Creed to deepen their interest and continue their studies. It could also open a door for those who have been seeking for a deepening of their spiritual life and a direction to guide their religious feelings... This is an interesting and helpful new addition to Selg's series of introductory readers.'
-- Camphill Correspondence

Author

Peter Selg was born in Stuttgart in 1963. He is the director of the Ita Wegman Institute in Arlesheim, Switzerland. He lectures extensively and is the author of many books on the work of Rudolf Steiner, including The Lord's Prayer and Rudolf Steiner, and Rudolf Steiner and The Christian Community.