Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner (1861 - 1925) was an Austrian philosopher, social thinker, architect and esotericist. He founded Anthroposophy, as an esoteric philosophy growing out of European transcendentalism and with links to Theosophy. After the First World War, Steiner worked with educators, farmers, doctors, and other professionals to develop Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, and anthroposophical medicine. In 1899 Steiner experienced a life altering encounter with Christ. Steiner describes Christ's mission as "The being of Christ is central to all religions, though called by different names by each. Every religion is valid and true for the time and cultural context in which it was born. Historical forms of Christianity need to be transformed considerably in our times in order to meet the on-going evolution of humanity." Christianity As Mystical Fact explains how Christianity grew out of pre-Christian mysteries. Steiner goes on to discuss the Gospels, the Lazarus miracle, the Apocalypse of St. John, Jesus and his historical background.