Three Bodies, Page 4

Before we examine the passages themselves, let us reflect upon whether there is a relationship between the three bodies and the pervasiveness of “threefoldedness” in the Bible. Taken collectively, the constancy of the recurring threefold theme can hardly fail to impress us with the seeming fact that there must be some immense spiritual significance, in our Biblical evolutionary epoch, to the number three, a significance that, though noted (see 4 ABD 1145, “Numbers and Counting”), thus far seems to have escaped detection. The number three has many obvious applications, but the mere fact that it has an application other than one directly relevant to our three bodies topic may not preclude it from also having relevance thereto. If we ask how this could be so, we have but to consider the nature of creation as reflected by the discussion of “Fractals” (and its neighboring discussions) in Appendix to “Fire,” Vol. 2. The fractal nature of creation is another example of the application of the spiritual principle “As Above, So Below.” Inasmuch as the human being’s three bodies relate back to the three Conditions of Consciousness (I-1) preceding Earth evolution, the magnitude of their application throughout such evolution, considering the fractal nature thereof, would seem to give a degree of relevance to Biblical passages embodying threefoldedness. Expressed another way, given the observed phenomena of the fractal nature of creation, and given that three Conditions of Consciousness preceded the one (Earth) that would create the human Ego, is it not probable that the structure into which the Ego is to enter would be threefold? And conversely, given a threefold human structure, does that not imply, under the fractal principle, a higher threefoldedness involved in its creative process? Even the development of the theological doctrine of the Trinity follows that divine pattern.

While the classification is subjective, the illustrations below are divided into the following categories:

A. Scriptures most directly indicative of “three bodies”
B. Scriptures readily suggestive of “three bodies”
C. Scriptures indicative of threefoldedness

However, within each division, except for the first two examples in A, the advantages of keeping the canonical order seems to outweigh those of further classification.

One other preliminary observation seems worthwhile. The serious Bible student must admit that, absent anthroposophical understanding, numerous passages still remain mysterious. Either they have been ignored and leapt over, or given a bland and childishly trite interpretation, or they have plunged their students into the depths of erudite nonsense. They have betrayed to the minds of scholars, clergy and laymen alike no truly significant meaning. The intellectually honest must admit to wondering why they are even in scripture.

What could be more critical in this regard than a prophecy (i.e., teaching; 1 Cor 14) that brings amazing new depth of meaning to passages that have always been either obscure or simplistically understood? All possible meanings should be fairly weighed and judged. When the teachings of Steiner are fairly considered, then all the Bible passages can be seen to fit with them and with phenomena like a glove. The conscientious reader may have come to this conclusion from what has already been said herein. But the principle applies forcefully to so many of the passages we are about to examine, and how rich the meaning becomes when one does see them so revealed. And not only so, but the entire Bible message takes on an integrity of meaning so overwhelming that one comes to understand why these passages were written in this manner in the first place. It was so that, when the time was right and the Truth was finally revealed, it would fit with what had been said of old and give it richness and fullness like never before.

With that in mind, we now turn our attention to the scriptures themselves.