In order to understand the meaning of earthly existence, knowledge about our spiritual origin and the cause of human life is needed. The lectures in this themed issue shed light on the origin of life’s diversity in the world beyond and the organization of spiritual creation with its multiplicity of spiritual families and nations. Spirit-teacher Joseph explains how a separation came about over the course of immeasurable periods of time – how a number of spiritual beings violated law and order and, as a result, had to leave the heavens. This knowledge has largely been lost to Christianity, but it is the prerequisite for understanding life on this earth, why Christ had to take on human incarnation, and the significance of his act of redemption.