"Humanity as a whole produced evangelists as mediators, who provided revelations that can be understood only gradually. These scriptures will be understood more and more as humanity progresses." --Rudolf Steiner, 1911At the heart of the mystery of Christianity, we encounter the divinity of Jesus Christ--the revelation of the descent of God from the spiritual world into the material world for the sake of humanity. To unveil the meaning of this cosmic event, authors Charles Tidball and Robert Powell (in two chapters) draw on four very different sources: the Gospels themselves, medieval and Renaissance tradition and art, the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, and the spiritual science, or Anthroposophy, of Rudolf Steiner. Viewing the former in the light of the latter, the authors unravel three key riddles: the nature of Jesus, the identity of Lazarus and the meaning of his initiatory "raising from the dead," and the Messianic mystery of the incarnation of the Christ. In the process, much is learned of the actual dating of the Gospel events, as well the repercussions of these events in history. This is a book for all those who want a deeper understanding of the New Testament Gospels and, especially, for those interested in the "Jesus mysteries." Contents: Foreword by Christopher Bamford Introduction: The Interrelations Part One: Developing an Understanding Frames of Reference Primary Sources Significant Methodology Part Two: The Mystery of the Two Jesus Children Biblical Evidence Artistic Evidence Preparation for the Incarnation Alternative Viewpoints Part Three: The Mystery of the Beloved Disciple Three Different Views on Lazarus From the Scholarship of Dr. K nig From the Visions of Sister Emmerich The John Mystery (by Robert Powell) The Johannine Tradition (by Robert Powell) Part Four: The Mystery of the Incarnation of the Christ Being Further Understandings from "Chronicle of Christ's Ministry" Further Material: Afterword Appendix: Biographical Material Authenticity of Sister Emmerich's Visions The Bare-Bones Story (21 BCE-CE 44) Selected Entries from "Chronicle of Christ's Ministry" Three Excerpts from Irene Johanson's Book The Three Disciples Called John Glossary Index