Johann Arndt in Braunschweig (1599-1608): pansophia as true Christianity

For the first time in Russian science based on the latest global scientific data available, the life and works of the German mystic J. Arndt in Braunschweig are considered as a context for the creation of his epoch-making work “True Christianity” (Vier Bücher vom wahren Christenthum, BWC). The intent and structure of this work are treated as a system of all-inclusive theosophy. Within the independent research, the author supplements the findings made by the leading foreign Arndt scholar H. Geyer with the information from J. Arndt’s early work “On Ancient Philosophy” decrypted by C. Gilly. Based on the analysis of this work, it appears that J. Arndt regards the pagan sages (Persian magicians, pagan priests, Indian Brahmins and others) not only as possessors of natural wisdom but also as participants in direct communication with God. This fact allows one to gain a better understanding of the BWC concept: J. Arndt brings the light of nature and the light of grace in panentheism so closely together that two alternative paths to divine wisdom arise, i.e. the path of non-church Christianity and the path available outside of Christianity. The significant impact of J. Arndt on the creators of the spiritual culture in Russia is explained by the encyclopedic content of the BWC. At the same time, they have failed to perceive the theosophical basis veiled by the Christian terms, which, however, requires a separate study.