Fifth Gospel: A Novel (Rosicrucian Quartet) Paperback
Page 41
Acknowledgements
Over the centuries many have foretold the coming of a new Gospel. In the twelfth century Joachim of Fiora spoke of an Immortal Gospel. Novalis, the great poet also presaged it. In Revelations, St John speaks of an Everlasting Gospel, a fifth gospel that would be given to humanity by an angel at a time of great tribulation.
Just before the First World War, the Austrian philosopher and Spiritual Scientist Rudolf Steiner gave the world The Fifth Gospel. But before doing so he had to make appropriate preparations. In 1911 Rudolf Steiner touched on a very controversial subject – the mystery of the two Jesus Children. In a series of lectures he answered age old questions concerning the differences in the canonical gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus, particularly the differences found in Matthew and Luke.
It is hard to imagine today the impact of such lectures on the minds of the people of those times, particularly because the mystery involved two Children. The first child, whom I call Yeshua, was born at the time of Herod the Great and the other child, whom I call Jesus, was born around two years later at the time of Quirenius and the Census. According to the Matthew Gospel, Magi visited the first child. Conversely, in Luke’s account, Shepherds visited the second child. Rudolf Steiner resolves these discrepancies by explaining how both children were destined to unite as one to become the man known as Jesus of Nazareth.
It was not until later, in October 1913, that Rudolf Steiner gave his lectures on The Fifth Gospel, a gospel that can only be read in the Akasha. In these lectures he illuminates for the first time those ‘missing’ years in the life of Jesus of Nazareth between his 18th year and his 30th year, and his ultimate unification with Christ. I would highly recommend a reading of his lectures if you would like to continue exploring the many mysteries found in this novel.
As you can see, I could not have written this book without Rudolf Steiner. But I also owe a great debt to Alfred Edersheim, a biblical scholar and converted Rabbi who combined his knowledge of both Judaism and Christianity in The Life and times of Jesus the Messiah, printed in 1883. These volumes were a godsend! They were a rich resource of detailed information not only on the history of those times but also on the intricate economic, religious and cultural details of day-to-day life. Edersheim gave me the tools I needed to carve out an authentic milieu replete with smells, colours and sounds.
I must also acknowledge those who are nearest and dearest to me. I would not have written this book if not for my mother’s encouragement, as it seemed to be such a daunting task. She listened to endless readings of my work and gave me many valuable suggestions and I am forever indebted to her. I would also like to thank my husband Jim who gave me practical and moral support and read countless drafts, helping me to sensitively edit a very long book (yes longer!) and to cut it down in size without losing its essence. I am always truly grateful for his pragmatic and systematic approach to difficult problems. I am grateful to Simone Selby for providing valuable input from a Judaic perspective and to Jennefer Zacarias and Brigitta Gallaher, who gave the book their attention and support. Lastly, thanks must also go to Danica Wolkiser and Richard Distasi, for their help with editing.
When Rudolf Steiner gave his lectures on the Fifth Gospel he said that, ‘some time in the future it will be put into definite form’. This novel is one attempt; no doubt there will be others. For my part, I have endeavoured to breathe life into the more important elements found in Rudolf Steiner’s Fifth Gospel and his lectures on the other four gospels, as far as this is possible within the framework of a single novel.
As this is a work of fiction, I have used artistic license to paint a vast picture with broad strokes, adding texture and context by interpolating into the main narrative a time in history when humanity’s struggle to understand the manifold and complex mystery of Christ Jesus resulted in intolerance, persecution, suffering and war.
Palestine in 33 AD was not so different from France in 1244.
Today the struggle continues…will it ever end? Perhaps not, but in struggle there is suffering and in suffering compassion, and in compassion true brotherhood.