The Anthroposophy and Christianity Connection

What is Anthroposophy anyway?

This is a big topic that can be quite confusing for many people. Especially if you’re searching online and finding many contradicting statements.

So here goes…

Anthroposophy is a spiritual philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner, born out of his deep knowledge and experience of both Theosophy and Anthropology. Anthroposophy means Wisdom of the Human Being and is fundamentally a study of the human being: our nature, development, and soul/spiritual task. Rudolf Steiner maintained that every human being (Anthropos) has the inherent wisdom (Sophia) to solve the riddles of existence and evolve as individuals and a collective.

In other words, Anthroposophy is a Spiritual Path.
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To add to the confusion, many people discover Anthroposophy because it has been applied to initiatives that they are a part of. In these scenarios, Anthroposophy is found as the bedrock of various initiatives such as Waldorf education, Biodynamic farming, Medicine, Curative education, Eurythmy, the Christian Community, and Architecture.

So, does this mean my kids are taught Anthroposophy if I send them to a Waldorf school?

Nope, doesn’t mean that at all!
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However, it does mean that the Waldorf teachers have been trained with study in Anthroposophy and are introduced to a variety of spiritual practices in that vein. Their teacher training curriculum covers a wide variety of Anthroposophical texts and many group studies and discussions.  It is a practice, not a dogma, and it should be noted that while Anthroposophy informs the understanding and teaching approach in Waldorf/Steiner Schools, Anthroposophy itself is never introduced as a subject to students in a Waldorf School.

Okay, that makes sense... but is Anthroposophy religious?

Anthroposophy is a spiritual philosophy, not a religion. It is a pathway to developing a conscious awareness of one’s humanity. It recognizes the inherent ‘wisdom of the human being’ to support a lifelong quest for spiritual self-development.
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Furthermore, Steiner was dedicated to the scientific approach to learning and did not share any of his findings and wisdom as dogma. He insisted that each person take his indications, findings and practices and use the scientific approach of investigating, testing and observing to decide what resonates and enhances your life path.

Well, then, why does it seem like Anthroposophy is connected to Christianity?

​In my experience, this is a really loaded question! It can be triggering for those who grew up Christian and are working to deconstruct everything they were taught. It can be triggering for Atheists, and it can be triggering for people of other religions.  Here’s the bottom line- (as it needs to be said many times!), Anthroposophy is not a religion but a method of inquiry and a tool for spiritual practice. I agree; it can get very confusing at face value because Steiner refers to the Christ Impulse and honours many of the Saints and festivals that appear to come from the Christian tradition. 

Well, why does Steiner rely on Christianity at all?

​Ok, I hear your question!
 
First, you have to remember that Anthroposophy is a spiritual philosophy that accepts that we are spiritual beings with a human experience. Second, Steiner is grounding his spiritual philosophy in the human evolution of consciousness and its connection to the different world religions over millennia.
 
He highlights the great spiritual thinkers of each period, such as Krishna, Buddha, Zarathustra, Moses, and Jesus Christ. He posits that during each period of time, there came a spiritual thinker who had the message for that particular time period in our evolution of consciousness.
 
He deeply honours each thinker and each step along the path of humanity’s growth. Steiner explains that the Spiritual Being behind each of these great leaders was Christos (in Greek) Christ, “the anointed one,” coming through to Earth in different ways to share wisdom based on the time period. 
 
Each of these spiritual leaders was an important stepping stone in our human evolution on earth. He then goes on to explain that Jesus Christ had the message specifically meant for the time period we are living in now. This means that the Christ Impulse came through Jesus and speaks to the people of today.
 
So, Steiner stands by the fact that the essence of Christianity’s message is needed for all humans today, despite the religion they were born into. And, that this is NOT the Christianity most of us are familiar with, which has been morphed and convoluted and corrupted over the last two millennia.  To clarify, Steiner is not saying that Christianity, as the organized religion we know today, is the religion for everyone.
 
Not at all! 
 
He is saying that the message Jesus brought is the message for all people today. He uses the ancient Christian festivals as part of annual spiritual ritual practice because the stories of these Christian Saints exemplify the Christ Impulse living through the human being.
 
This is a big piece for many of us to digest! Having grown up Jewish, I can say that when I first came upon this information during my Waldorf teacher training, it was a hard pill to swallow. The good thing is that Steiner would absolutely not have wanted me to swallow any pill or drink any Kool-Aid; he would have wanted me to look at it, discuss it, inquire about it, live with it, question it, taste it, put it down, discard it, pick it up again…you get the point :-) 
 
This is not dogma but a true scientific inquiry on spiritual matters.
 
For years, the term Christ Impulse floated around my orbit. I never rejected it 100 percent, but I also did not accept it. 
 
Over many years of study, experience, teaching, and scientific inquiry, I have come to deeply understand and feel what the Christ Impulse means to me. I have also come to appreciate that it does not negate my own religious upbringing and experiences but rather enhances them. I have come to feel very grounded in the essence of the Christ Impulse and how it has been shining through humanity in different ways over our evolution.
 
If there is anything simple to say about Anthroposophy, it is that investigation and practical application are the paths to discovery. When practices, rituals, and meditations are offered up, try them and see if the way you live your life becomes more grounded, peaceful, positive, and connected. When you find an anthroposophical book to read, take your time, let the ideas percolate, mull them over, bring them into your dreams and sleep. See if these deep spiritual ideas begin to resonate with you.  
 
The inquiry itself is part of the spiritual path.
 
We live in a world that, on the surface, is devoid of deep spiritual meaning. Many of us have discarded our religious upbringings but haven’t found anything new that fully connects us to our spiritual essence.
 
Anthroposophy is born out of Steiner’s rigorous study and living experience of the philosophies of Eastern and Western traditions, scientific and religious paths, healing artistic endeavours, connection to the natural world, and his clairvoyant abilities.  With all of this as his background, he founded Anthroposophy, the spiritual path of wisdom for the human being of this millennia. 
 
If you are curious, there is only one thing to do: lean in and begin.

- Written by Jennifer Ross, Daily Wonder Curriculum Developer

For suggested next steps, we recommend:

• This book: And Who Shall Teach the Teachers?: The Christ Impulse in Waldorf Education
• These meditative exercises: The Six Basic Exercises by Rudolf Steiner

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