THE ROSICRUCIANS AND ADVANCEMENT OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION

 An inquiry into the history of origin, of the Rosicrucian order, there is sufficient evidence, as testament to, the emanation of the philosophical writings from Philo Judaeus, who was a Jewish Philosopher, trained in Hellenistic Culture of Alexandria, the culture of Ancient Rome, and to large degree Ancient Egyptian religion, with focus in Judaism, Jewish traditional literature, and Greek philosophy. He was born in c.10 - 15 BC in Alexandria, and died in c.45-50 AD. His Ancestors and family genealogy had social ties and connections to the priesthood in Judea, under the Hasmonean dynasty of Rome. And was serving as the Principal representative of the Alexandrian Jewish Community, before the Roman Emperor Gaius Caligula.

Philo Judaeus writings and philosophical works, were extensively influenced by Plato, Homer, Euripides and Demosthenes, as his teachers. And was regarded as the most important representative of the Hellenistic Judaism, and the forerunner of Christian theology. Thou, accorded as the father of the Rosicrucianism, which led the true birth of the Rosicrucian order c. 1 BC, with an evolving doctrine of Hellenistic Judaism, Neo-Pythagorians, Cynics and Stoicism. Among these inter-linkages of philosophical doctrines, Stoicism which was the school of philosophy of Greeco-Roman antiquity, became prominent in Rosicrucian order, with the teachings inspired by Socrates and Diogenes of Sinope, in the era of c.300 BC to 200 AD. Having their core doctrine, emphasized on ‘duty of man’ to the universe.  With the central tenet of the doctrine, which declares, and I quote; ‘through reasons, mankind can come to regard the Universe as governed by fate,  and that regulating one’s life, emulate the grandeur of the calm and order of the Universe. As well, learning to accept events in life, with stern and transquil mind, as an effort, to achieve a lofty moral worth.’

The aftermath death of Philo Judaeus, and the era of early 17^th Century AD, emerged the advent of new Rosicrucian order, of a brotherhood, declaring themselves as Fama Fraternitatis, with their manifesto print in the year 1614, claiming their branch of Rosicrucian brotherhood, could be traced to the founder Christian Rosenkreuz (1378 - 1484), as a German Nobleman, and a former Monk, with their mission to extend the old Order, and zealously apply themselves in the deepest secrecy to the study of Nature, and her hidden forces, and to make their discoveries and inventions known to the Order, and profitable to the needs of humanity. Thou, sought to invite all of the scholars and rulers of Europe at that time, to favour the cause, with a Lutherian Theologian of Wurtemberg, Germany,  John Valentin Andrea (1586 - 1654) a lead advocate.

Followed with the Confessio Fraternitatis, with their manifestor print in the year 1615,  and then, in the year 1616, came with an anonymous volume, which was published as a manuscript titled Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, a publication, noted to have been influenced by the work of hermetic Philosopher, Heinrich Khunrath (1560 -1605) of Hamburg, Germany. The outcome of public works of these remnants, ignited a serious ridicule, and a public fraud, thou, in the diminishing of their credibility, resulted in re-birth of itself, as a Pseudo-Rosicrucian societies of occult descent, with some kind of extravagant manifestations. Onwards to the year 1750, began the newly emerging Rosicrucians, fusing themselves into Freemansonry, as a society in her early birth, of the year 1717 AD. Which created a Masonic Rosicrucian Societies of prominent existence in England, Scotland and United States.

Walking into the epoch of the 19^th to 21^st Century AD, is the rise of three diverse Rosicrucian branches, with the structural forms as follows;

I.    The first branch, is the Esoteric Christian Rosicrucian groups, who profess Christ, with the teachings relating to inner teachings of Christianity, the Benedictine order, founded in the year 529AD, a Monastic order in the Catholic Church, following the Rule of Saint Benedictine, which emphasis on prayer and work, with vows of stability, obedience and conversion of life. The Dominican order, a Roman Catholic mendicant order, founded in the year 1216 AD, renowned for intellectual rigour, study and commitment to truth. Focus on Education, Theology and Philosophy. The Jesuit Order, or Society of Jesus, founded in the year 1534 AD, with the mission on Education, Intellectual rigour, mission work, social justice, operating under a fourth vow of obedience to the Pope. The Mount Ecclesia Rosicrucian fellowship, founded in the year 1909 AD, with a mission of preparing the individuals through harmonious development of mind and heart, in a spirit of unselfish service to mankind, and all-embracing altruism.

II. The second branch, is Masonic Rosicrucian groups, such as the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia of England, founded in the year 1865 AD, with a mission to serve as a scholarly society for Master Masons. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, founded in the year 1888 AD, to focus on the study and practice of ceremonial Magic, Qabala, Tarot and Occultism. The Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, is a non-sectarian, Philosophical and Educational Rosicrucian organization, founded in the year 1915 AD, whose mission, is to promote the study of Metaphysical, Mystical and Natural laws, for spiritual development.

III.  The third branch, is Intellectual Rosicrucian Groups, such as the Intellectual Creed Society, founded in the year 2021 AD, with the mission, to organize professionals of high scholarly pedigree, for the re-birth of the original philosophical Rosicrucian doctrine, which stemmed from Stoicism, to advance the cause of human civilization and humanitarian healing, rooted in superior scholarly talents, from various field of human studies, and endeavours, to complement the efficiency of contemporary government performance, towards, enhancing the welfare, of the open society.

 

REFERENCE

[1.] Beit-Hallahmi, B., ‘AMORC Rosicrucian Order’ the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active Religion, sects and cults. p.17. New York, Rosen Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-8239-2586-5

[2.] CIA Report, ‘The Rosicrucian Order’, 1955, April. Access through CIA-RDP78-02771R000200430004-6.

[3.] Encyclopedia Britannical Editors, ‘Philo Judaeus’ 2020, May.

[4.] Gruber, H., ‘Rosicrucians’ the Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol.13. 1912. New York, Robert Appletion Company.

[5.] Massimo, I., ‘Rosicrucianism III’ 19^th to 20^th Century. In Haneegraff, Wouter, J., Faivre, A., Van den, R. B., Jean-Pierre, B. (eds.), Dictionary of Gnosis & Western Esoetricism, Leiden, Boston. ISBN: 978-90-0414371-5

[6.] Senzu, T. E., ‘ The Constitution’ Intellectual Creed Society-branch of Rosicrucian Order. 2026, February. Accessed from https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8666782745902611982/8610693166746774320 

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Emmanuel Tweneboah Senzu, DBA, PhD., SJD.

Professor of Constitutional Law and Economic Criminology. The Supreme General for the Intellectual Creed Society-Branch of Rosicrucian Order.