Beyond Legalism: Rudolf Steiner’s Esoteric Reinterpretation of Paul’s Doctrine of Law, Justification, and the Evolution of Consciousness
Advance Research in Psychology and Behavioural Sciences March 16, 2026 Nicos Kaloyirou
Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy aims to reconcile modern science with mystical religious experience, reinterpreting the Apostle Paul as the first 'spiritual scientist.' Steiner argues that Paul's conversion on the Damascus road was not merely a personal religious event but a world-historical shift in human consciousness, moving humanity from collective, law-bound spirituality to individual, freedom-based spiritual agency. This paper examines Steiner's esoteric reading of Paul's doctrine of law and justification in Romans and Galatians, using an interdisciplinary lens from history of ideas, depth psychology, comparative religion, and philosophy of mind. The central research question is how Steiner reinterprets Paul's teachings.