Esoteric Christianity

Annie Besant, renowned esotericist and Theosophist, asserts in this title that there is a hidden or esoteric truth underlying all religions, a truth so deep and secret that until revealed we cannot truly reach the Divine. While many scholars, theologians and followers of conventional Christianity may not believe in such uniformity, people of all faiths can agree there are unknown elements of the Divine we all seek that are yet to be revealed. Esoteric Christianity shows us this hidden truth that is lacking from the traditional exoteric teachings of Christianity: the Divine does not come from an external, outside source; it is something that can only be found within ourselves. Besant teaches that the Divine in each individual, what she refers to as the "mind of Christ" or "Christ-Soul," is the answer to evolution itself. She explains that religions were given to the world "by men wiser than the masses of the people on whom they are bestowed" in order to quicken human evolution, which is done through the evolution of man’s moral, intellectual, and spiritual natures. Besant continues to explain that the evolution of Christianity is dependent on man’s ability to follow the occult teachings. Amongst these teachings, Besant distinguishes between the Greater Mysteries, that which cannot be revealed to the masses, and the Lesser Mysteries, the partial unveilings of knowledge meant for the greater population. She also offers the esoteric perspective behind the fundamental Christian principles we have all come to know, which include: the historical and mythic Christ, the Atonement, the Resurrection and Ascension, the Trinity, Prayer, Forgiveness of Sins, the Sacraments, and Revelation. First published in 1901, Esoteric Christianity has been updated by Richard Smoley with annotations to make it more accessible for modern readers.

302 pages

About the author: Born in London in 1847, Annie Besant was only five years old when her father died. Unable to care for her, Annie’s mother sent her to live with a friend, where she was privately educated. At the age of 19, she married the Rev. Frank Besant and by the age of 23 had two children. When Annie began questioning her religious beliefs, Frank Besant ordered her to leave. The two divorced and Frank won custody of both children. Completely rejecting Christianity in 1874, Annie joined the Secular Society and began writing articles on marriage and women’s rights for the radical National Reformer. She helped form a Matchgirls Union in 1888 to defend the rights of women workers, and led a strike against the Bryant & May match factory. She also joined the socialist group, the Fabian Society, where she became friends with Walter Crane and George Bernard Shaw. In 1889, she contributed an article to the influential book, Fabian Essays, and joined the Theosophical Society, soon moving to the Society's international headquarters at Adyar, Chennai, India. Even while in India, she remained active in the women’s rights movement and continued to write letters to British newspapers advocating women’s suffrage. While in India, Annie worked with Gandhi, who credited her with "awakening India from her deep slumber." She also led the Hindu nationalist movement, founded Central Hindu College at Barares, and organized the Indian Home Rule League, becoming president in 1916. During the First World War, she was interned by British authorities. Elected president of the Indian National Congress in 1917 and general secretary of the National Convention of India in 1923, she became a well-known figure remembered by many Indians to this day. At the same time, she worked tirelessly for the Theosophical Society, serving as the second President from 1907 until her death in 1933.The keynote of all her varied activities was her unswerving loyalty to Truth. As she said, "She (Truth) may lead me into the wilderness, yet I must follow her; she may strip me of all love, yet I must pursue her; though she slay me, yet will I trust in her; and I ask no other epitaph on my tomb but 'She tried to follow Truth'." Annie Besant died in India in 1933, the author of more than 40 books. Although she had lectured widely on Theosophy, she may be best remembered for her sponsorship of the great spiritual teacher, Krishnamurti. Proclaiming the "Coming of the World Teacher," she adopted Jiddu Krishnamurti in 1911 and sent him to England to be educated. She remained his legal guardian until 1921.