Letters on John’s Gospel

FRIEDRICH RITTELMEYER (1872–1938) was a Lutheran minister and theologian who led the founding of The Christian Community. Rittelmeyer came to prominence as a leading liberal theologian and preacher early in the twentieth century, advocating a socially engaged ‘Christianity of deeds’ (Tatchristentum). During the First World War he became one of the most high-profile clergymen in Germany to oppose the war publicly. From the 1910s, his thinking was gradually influenced by the philosopher, spiritual researcher and teacher Rudolf Steiner. In 1922 a group of mainly Lutheran pastors and theology students established The Christian Community, a Movement for Religious Renewal. Rittelmeyer remained at the helm of the movement until his death.

Editor’s Preface by Alan Stott – Introduction: Friedrich Rittelmeyer and John’s Gospel by Rudolf Frieling – The ‘I-AM’ as the Midpoint of Human History – Christianity as a Mystery Religion – The Nascent World – John’s Gospel, Chapter One (Revised Standard Version) – LETTERS ON JOHN’S GOSPEL – Letter No. 1, The Mystery of the ‘I’ – Letter No. 2, The Mystery of the ‘I’ (2) – Letter No. 3, Son of God and Son of Man (1) – Letter No. 4, Son of Man and Son of God (2) – Letter No. 5, Son of God and Son of Man (3) – Letter No. 6, The Book of Joy – Letter No. 7, ‘I am the Light of the World’ – Letter No. 8, ‘I am the Life’ – Letter No. 9, ‘I am Love’ – Letter No. 10, A World-Historical Conversation – Letter No. 11, The Springtime of the Disciples – Letter No. 12, The Great Intercession: the High-Priestly Prayer (I) – Letter No. 13, The Great Intercession, the High-Priestly Prayer (II) – Letter No. 14, The Great Intercession, the High-Priestly Prayer (III) – Consecration of the Disciples [John 21] – John’s Gospel, Chapter 1 (Revised Standard Version) – Appendix: The Word from Inner Listening – Twenty Years after the Death of Friedrich Rittelmeyer by Emil Bock – Further Reading – Notes