In these four remarkable lectures, Rudolf Steiner contends that Christ has been working on humanity's behalf since the very beginnings of its existence, long before the inception of the Christian religion. Steiner indicates how - in both the ancient Mystery schools and in the miraculous events depicted in the Old Testament - the guiding hand of Christ shaped and developed peoples' cognition. The ultimate divine intervention took place in the incarnation of Christ in human form - God in man - which culminated in the Mystery of Golgotha. Through this mighty event, opportunity is given for every soul to develop immortal individuality and consciousness of self. Steiner clarifies the difficult concepts of sin, guilt and karma, and explains the meaning of 'forgiveness of sins' and 'resurrection of the body'. Looking forward to future great periods of evolution, he speaks of the separation of humanity into two races of good and evil, and describes how Christ will continue to work in this critical time of human development.