Christian Community

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File:Johanneskirche Dresden.jpg
The Christian Community altar in Dresden (Germany).

The Christian Community - Movement for Religious Renewal is an independent Christian renewal movement founded in 1922 on the impulses of several (at that time predominantly Protestant) theologians, but completely independent of the Anthroposophical Society, which focuses on the communal celebration of ritual acts. In the foundation of the cultus, Rudolf Steiner as a private person (outside the anthroposophical movement) stood by to help.

„It is a movement which has arisen out of itself, and which has received the advice from me for the reason that if anyone asks for justified advice in any field, it is human duty, if one can give the advice, really to give it.“ (Lit.:GA 219, p. 170)

Her own is a lively community life. It does not see itself as the only church that can bring about salvation. The Christian Community refers to Christ as the Creator of the earth, who became man in Jesus of Nazareth. In him, believers find vitality and continuity. Unfortunately, the Christian Community is still classified as a sect by some churches - but not by the state.

Freedom of Teaching

The priests of the Christian Community have freedom of teaching and are not bound to any dogmatic doctrine. The only exception is teaching against the given cultus. Rudolf Steiner says about this:

„It is very important that you are clear about the fact that there is complete freedom with regard to teaching when there is communal cohesion in the cultus. This is precisely what ensures the freedom of preaching and teaching, that cohesion does not depend on agreement, which has its limits. Of course, this freedom has its limits in that what is taught does not contradict the spirit and meaning of the cult in any easily comprehensible way. That would be an absurdity in itself. So if someone were to perform the Sacrifice of the Mass and at the same time teach that it is nonsense, he would not be able to remain within the community, or at least he would not be able to teach. Not so, in as broad a sense as is possible, the freedom of teaching is recognised. And, my dear friends, without freedom of doctrine we really cannot get anywhere today, especially in a Christian Community. Only the cultus must be regarded in the right sense, and then, I would say, freedom of teaching results precisely from the existence of the cultus.“ (Lit.:GA 344, p. 132)

Sacraments

→ Main article: Sacrament

The Christian Community is a cultic community.

Six other sacraments can accompany the course of life and have a helping effect in it:

Rudolf Steiner's specifications on the liturgical vestments of the Christian Community (plate 12 from GA 343)

The sacraments are performed by the priest in a prescribed manner and in liturgical vestments with seasonal or traditional colours:

  • BAPTISM: dark purple
  • MARRIAGE: red
  • CONFESSION: black
  • SEASONS (colour of the forms on the casula in brackets):
    • Advent: blue (dark blue)
    • CHRISTMAS: white (light purple)
    • Epiphany: red-violet (dark red-violet)
    • Passiontide: black (deep black)
    • Easter: red (green)
    • Ascension: red (gold)
    • Pentecost: white (light yellow)
    • Johanni: white (light yellow)
    • Michaelmas: hedge rose colour (sea green)
    • Primary colour in the interims: light purple (orange)

Any adult who feels the need for a religious life can take part in the Act of Consecration of Man (with the transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ and communion). Introductory writings on the Christian Community's cult are available in the congregation.

Literature
References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated.
Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com.
Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books
A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works
Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English.
Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold
steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA)
Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.

Weblinks

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