Bruce Michael
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
In John Barnwell's book The Arcana of the Grail Angel there is pertinent discussion:
Rudolf Steiner has pointed out that the path of the Grail passes from 'dullness through doubt to ''saelde'' or blessedness'; although one must first pass through the stage of doubt - 'the dark night of the soul.' The future doubt and denial of Christ by Peter is predicted by Christ in 'The Gospel of John' (13:37-38)."
'...for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven.' On the other hand, when Peter was speaking out of his impermeable Ordinary-Ego, Christ said; 'Get thee behind me, Satan - thou art an offense unto me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those of men.'
How does augur for the Church that Peter founded? Of course some doubt that Peter started the Church.
-Br.Bruce
In John Barnwell's book The Arcana of the Grail Angel there is pertinent discussion:
These contradictory reactions of Christ to Peter, show that Peter had not completed his transformation, and so, could not yet consistently act out of his higher judgment (Manas). This represents Peter's 'exile' from 'the things that be of God' to 'those that be of men.' This state that is 'of men' is called 'doubt' in Wolfram's Parzival. When Christ spoke these words, Peter was yet in a state of 'tumpheit' or dullness, which leads to doubt.....When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked of his disciples, saying; 'Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?' And they said; 'Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.' He saith unto them; 'But whom say ye that I am?' And Simon Peter answered and said; 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered and said unto him; 'Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jo'na - for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; and whomsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven.'
Then charged He his disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him saying; 'Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.' But He turned, and said to Peter; 'Get thee behind me, Satan - thou art an offense unto me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those of men.'
Rudolf Steiner has pointed out that the path of the Grail passes from 'dullness through doubt to ''saelde'' or blessedness'; although one must first pass through the stage of doubt - 'the dark night of the soul.' The future doubt and denial of Christ by Peter is predicted by Christ in 'The Gospel of John' (13:37-38)."
"As a result of his dullness and subsequent doubt, Peter was later to fulfill the prophetic words of Christ, and deny Him three times before the cock crowed at dawn. Christ said; 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church...' when Peter was speaking out of his Higher-Self, or Manas, which is a state of consciousness that is permeable to the influence of the higher worlds,Peter said unto him; ''Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.'' Jesus answered him; ''Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee. The cock shall not crow, till thou has denied me thrice.''
'...for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven.' On the other hand, when Peter was speaking out of his impermeable Ordinary-Ego, Christ said; 'Get thee behind me, Satan - thou art an offense unto me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those of men.'
How does augur for the Church that Peter founded? Of course some doubt that Peter started the Church.
-Br.Bruce