Full Description
Nothing is more unpredictable than the future of humanity and our world. But even in the face of such uncertainty, is it still possible to develop trust in the future?
In this thought-provoking book, Bastiaan Baan explores the many ways in which humanity has tried to predict the future down through the ages, from old forms of clairvoyance to more modern methods based on technical expertise. He looks at ancient mythologies, the visionary practices of prophets and shamans, and the sublime if often terrifying images found in the Book of Revelation. Drawing on the work of Rudolf Steiner, he attempts to interpret their imaginative language and identify the impulses at work in present-day humanity.
Baan argues that while predicting the future may be impossible, how we view events can be just as important, if not more so, than the events themselves. He suggests that adopting a more positive and open attitude can be a necessary first step in taking action.
Trust in the Future will speak to all those who ask themselves 'What can I do?' to build a better future.
Contents
Contents
Foreword 7
1 Signs of the Times 9
2 What Do Mythologies Say About the Future? 17
3 Old Forms of Predicting the Future: Prophets,
Sybils, Shamans 26
4 The Little Apocalypse 39
5 The Apocalypse of St John 52
6 Freedom and Inevitability – Jesse Mulder 74
7 The Counterstream of Time 90
8 Providence: The Hidden Presence of Christ 102
9 ‘Behold, I Make All Things New’: Morality
as Creative Principle – Jesse Mulder 112
10 Our Self-created Destiny 127
11 Manichaeism and the Origins of Evil – Jesse Mulder 138
12 Manichaeism and the Redemption of Evil 146
13 Current Trends and Developments 155
14 What Can I Do? 168
Afterword 182
Appendix 183
Notes 188
Bibliography 196
Index 200
