Expanding the Work:
The groundbreaking work initiated by these four forerunners, described earlier, and there were many others contributing, had a deep spiritual connection, unknown to their outer personality selves, but certainly known at the group soul level. And certainly their work would not have achieved widespread recognition had it not been for a large group of souls already in the world who could recognize the value of these forerunners and seize the opportunity to follow their lead. Gutenberg’s printing press might have been buried by the Church had not hundreds of skilled craftsmen around Europe seized upon the new invention and given it life. Likewise, Luther’s protest would have been ignored by the Church had it not been for the printing press and the widespread translation and printing of the Bible in the German language. It set off a huge wave in the printing world. The book became more refined in style and font size and soon graphics were added. As books became widely available in the local language, the interest in education grew, giving rise to many new schools. Each forerunner in their own way fulfilled their soul’s intention to serve the great Plan of the Logos by bringing new light into a dark world. Once light is shown on new possibilities it cannot be snuffed out.
Now of course there were many other illumined souls adding their creative energy to this period of enlightenment—such as in the cultural field of the arts, in music and literature. Foremost among the 15th century artists were Leonardo da Vinci (1452—1519), Michelangelo (1475—1564), Hans Holbein (1465—1524), and Albrecht Durer (1471—1528). This group was followed a bit later by the great Rembrandt 1606—1669), making up a truly enlightened forerunner group of souls.
An interesting outgrowth in the art of painting, with the introduction of oil paints, in the 17th century and an indication of the awakening individualized conscious-ness among the common people and particularly among the well-to-do was the popularity of the personal portrait. No longer just the prerogative of the Pope and the nobility, any well-to-do citizen could order a portrait of himself or of his family to grace the wall of the most prominent room in his home, a kind of status symbol. The painted portrait was the forerunner of today’s camera and the family snapshots, and of course now Facebook and the “selfie”.
As with all new creative efforts during the 15th and 16th centuries, music composition also developed at a rapid rate. And it too was subject to Church censorship. In fact, control over music style dates back hundreds of years earlier. Most of the music which evolved into the classical style began and was developed in the early church.
(to be continued)
