Christianity As Mystical Fact was compiled from a series of lectures Rudolf Steiner gave in 1902. It was an attempt to explain the mystical qualities of Christianity and it"s evolution from pre-Christian times to the resurrection. The book has become one of Steiner"s most well known works and it gives us a deeper and richer understanding of the esoteric roots and meaning of Christianity. Steiner, not satisfied with scratching the surface of traditional Christianity, sought to unearth it"s mysteries, and his words are reminiscent of a latter day near-death experiencer when he writes in chapter 2; "He acknowledges the existence of the gods, but knows that the ordinary ideas about them do not solve the great problems of existence. He seeks a wisdom, which is jealously guarded by a community of priest-sages. His aspiring soul seeks a refuge in this community. If he is found by the sages to be sufficiently prepared, he is led up by them, step by step, to higher knowledge, in places hidden...