Walter Johannes Stein

Johannes Tautz (1914-2008) was a historian, religious scholar, anthroposophist, and Waldorf educator. His academic pursuits in Oriental studies, religious studies, and the history of philosophy were undertaken with the intention of studying them in their original languages, free from the influence of National Socialism. Despite being categorized as "politically unreliable" and facing provisional study permits, he continued his education, eventually submitting a dissertation on Schelling's philosophical anthropology that included citations from Rudolf Steiner, which drew official scrutiny.

During World War II, Tautz experienced the war as a "nightmare" and decided to pursue a career in education, believing it crucial for rebuilding society. He became a German and History teacher at the Free Waldorf School in Stuttgart after the war. Tautz later sought out Walter Johannes Stein, the first history teacher at the Waldorf School, for guidance. His later work focused on the spiritual background of National Socialism, the history of Waldorf education, and the connection between Rudolf Steiner and Helmuth and Eliza von Moltke.

Born in Koblenz, Johannes Tautz grew up with his father, a businessman, and his mother, a librarian. A teacher at his Realschule introduced him to Anthroposophy through a study group on Rudolf Steiner's "The Riddles of Philosophy." Tautz pursued Oriental studies, religious studies, and the history of philosophy, aiming to engage with ancient spiritual texts in their original languages like Hebrew, Ancient Greek, and Sanskrit. His academic journey involved attending lectures and conferences related to Anthroposophy and the Christian Community. He studied at universities in Bonn and Berlin, where he encountered thinkers like Nicolai Hartmann and Romano Guardini. Tautz's academic work, including his dissertation on Schelling's philosophical anthropology, which referenced Rudolf Steiner, attracted attention from Nazi educational authorities who viewed it as an attempt to promote "Schelling-Steiner dogmatism."

Tautz viewed the war years as a "nightmare" and felt compelled to become an educator, believing that post-war education would be essential for establishing a society founded on human dignity. He completed his teacher's certificate in Marburg. During the war, he was conscripted but deemed "not usable for war" and assigned clerical duties. While stationed in Lemberg (Ukraine), he studied Rudolf Steiner's "How to Attain Knowledge of Higher Worlds" with his superior officer, who was also an anthroposophist. After the war ended, Tautz was briefly imprisoned by various Allied forces before escaping back to his family. He soon began teaching German and History at the newly established Free Waldorf School in Stuttgart.

Johannes Tautz sought out Walter Johannes Stein, the Waldorf School's initial history teacher, for guidance. Their initial meeting in London in 1951, where Stein delivered numerous lectures annually, provided Tautz with significant inspiration for his future work as a teacher, lecturer, and writer, particularly within the "Hague Circle" of Waldorf educators. Tautz also received direction from Emil Bock on a Christological perspective of world history and from Jürgen von Grone concerning Germany's destiny. After a heart attack in 1974, Tautz shifted his focus to publishing, counseling, and adult education. He researched the occult influences behind National Socialism, culminating in his 1976 book "Attack of the Enemy." He also worked with Thomas Meyer to examine Walter Johannes Stein's literary estate, which led to Tautz's biography of Stein in 1989. Tautz was instrumental in publishing Rudolf Steiner's correspondence with Helmuth and Eliza von Moltke, aiming to provide a well-contextualized presentation of this material.

“In living and suffering through the events of the time it became clear to me that Europe would become a question of education after the war which would prepare the foundations for a society based on human dignity.”

“In these two footnotes it is not a matter of drawing on an author in the manner customary in scientific works but rather of a confession to the "reality of Schelling's view on Nature and Spirit" in the sense of Rudolf Steiner and a confession to a dark "source" that can only mean Anthroposophy. The ingenuous attempt of Mr Tautz shows how important it is right at the moment to be wakeful. The Germany universities are not there to support an attempt to block the living development of German idealism by means of a Schelling-Steiner dogmantism.”

“In August 1951 the first meeting took place in London. Stein, who held close to three hundred lectures per year, had made several days available for our discussions and readily answered my questions.”