This early, fundamental work shows how Christianity arose out of what was prepared in the pre-Christian Mysteries. Christianity, however, was not merely a further development of what existed in these Mysteries but something unique and independent. From an examination of the ancient Mysteries, Steiner goes on to discuss the Gospels, the Lazarus miracle, the Apocalypse of St. John, Jesus and his historical background, and more. This book is a foundation for what Steiner later more fully develops concerning the nature of Christ and Christianity. It was originally published in German as, Das Christentum Als Mystische Tatsache und die Mysterien des Altertums.

Chapter titles include:
    Points of View,
    The Mysteries and Mystery Wisdom,
    The Greek Sages before Plato in the
        Light of Mystery Wisdom,
    Plato as Mystic,
    The Wisdom of the Mysteries and the Myth,
    The Mystery Wisdom of Egypt,
    The Gospels,
    The Lazarus Miracle,
    The Apocalypse of St. John,
    Jesus and His Historical Background,
    The Nature of Christianity,
    Christianity and Pagan Wisdom,
    St. Augustine and the Church.