Gnosticism Books - Page 4

The Gnostic Scriptures: A New Translation with Annotations and Introductions by (The Anchor Bible Reference Library)

Bentley Layton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

An Excellent Anthology of Gnostic Texts 5 out of 5 stars.
23 of 26 people found this review helpful.

While some have criticised this collection of Gnostic Scriptures, in my own experience Layton's translations of the texts and the accompanying notes are very useful. After all, how is the modern reader, removed by 1700 years from texts which were originally kept from all but the 'initiated', supposed to understand the myths and works of the Gnostics, so far removed from our conventional Philosophy and Religious ideas?

So who were the Gnostics? What on Earth is Gnosis?

The Gnostics were a fairly amorphous movement of syncretic spiritual seekers who sought direct knowledge or 'Gnosis' of God without an intermediate power controlling their access to God. Gnostics generally rejected churches, temples, and other religious institutions or when they attended them, felt as if they were the 'elite.' This caused considerable annoyance to the religious authorities, especially the Christian ones, as some Gnostics adapted Christian theology and ideas and re-shaped them to their own religious purposes. However, the Gnostics also borrowed liberally from other areas too, from Neo-Platonic Philosophy to Babylonian astrological lore. Indeed at times it is extremely hard to understand what the Gnostics believed in, especially since non-rational modes of mystical experience (such as dazzling visions of heaven and its inhabitants) are so bizarre, unmatched in our own time except perhaps by William Blake.

Layton's collection contains most of the important Gnostic texts and movements, including the Secret Book of John, The Gospel of Thomas, the Hypostasis of the Archons, and the Gospel of Truth by Valentinus.

The Gnostic texts are often rambling and incoherent and weave fervent visions of the spiritual universe in with magical incantations, colourful rites including baptism, singing and shouting, hymns to various heavenly beings, curses against the creator of this world (Iadobloth), as well as various obscure rites and mysteries, such as the 'Bridal Chamber.' The three most beautiful and coherent texts are the Secret Book of John, the Gospel of Truth by Valentinus, and the Gospel of Thomas.

The Secret Book of John purports to record a dialogue between the risen Jesus and the Apostle John, after his faith in Jesus is undermined by a rather unpleasant Pharisee. Jesus, after appearing in an amazing vision, then proceeds to recount to John the stock Gnostic myths of an invisible, ineffable and totally unknowable 'Father' who then for some reason creates a whole series of spirit beings in the spiritual universe, called the Pleorama. At first, everything seems to go fine, until one of these beings (Sophia) decides to try and imitate the Father and instead for reasons not entirely clear, brings forth a monster called Iadobloth. Ashamed of her failure, Sophia hides Iadobloth in a cloud of fire, and leaves.

Iadobloth however, not knowing his origin, and having mighty powers (somewhat like Blake's Urizen) proceeds to create a material universe as well as fellow beings called 'Rulers' or 'Archons', who then try to trap 'sparks' of light which live in the Pleorama into matter. Then Adam is created, first as a spirit being, and then by the evil of the Rulers he is trapped in a material body, and a consort (Eve) is made for him. The Father, finally becoming aware of this disaster, then sends another Aeon, Jesus, to redeem the trapped sparks of light in matter through saving Gnosis.

The Gospel of Truth is a work of brilliant rhetorical power by a famous Gnostic poet, teacher and theologian called Valentinus. A very subtle and beautiful attempt to wed Gnostic myth with Orthodox Christianity, Valentinus argues all our pain and suffering come from ignorance of our true Father, who while ineffable, sends forth wisdom and also the Son to redeem fallen humanity. Valentinus attempts to avoid the extremes of myths like John and in the Gospel of Truth there is no explicit cursing of the creator God, yet at the same time Valentinus does say with some subtlety that this world is a bad copy of the original heavenly pleorama, and our true happiness is to be found there. The ideas of Valentinus, presented very systematically and far more logically than by any other Gnostic anywhere else, deeply influence other Gnostic works like the Gospel of Phillip and the Acts of Thomas and John.

The third work, the Gospel of Thomas, is in my view surpassingly beautiful and the finest of all the works in this collection. Much like the simple yet profound Buddhist Heart Sutra, this mystical poetic work purveys itself as a collection of 'secret' sayings Jesus communicated with his disciples, and written down by Thomas, the 'doubter' in John. The work claims to provide the keys to immortality, provided right 'Gnosis' is present: 1 And he said, "Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death." (Saying 1)

While this 'Gospel' probably was written later than the canonical ones, it probably does include some authentic sayings of Jesus not included in the canonical gospels. Even if many were not spoken by Jesus, they still have great beauty and appeal.

Saying three for example points out a truth well known to Socrates: Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and it is outside you.

When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty." (Saying 3)

Some are somewhat less appealing: "114 Simon Peter said to them, "Make Mary leave us, for females don't deserve life." Jesus said, "Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every female who makes herself male will enter the kingdom of Heaven." (Saying 114)

Another work of immense poetic power is the 'Thunder, Perfect Mind', probably a hymn to the Egyptian Goddess Isis imported into Gnostic circles (which included many women) and addressed to Sophia or Noria, Gnostic Goddesses.

Yet there is also much in this collection which is dark and almost sinister. A lot of the works point out how horrible this world is and how bad a thing it is to be trapped in a body of material; countless references to spirit beings and daemons and emanations from the unknowable Father; various descriptions of a Godhead which is sometimes ineffable and unsayable, other times Mother/Father, Mother/Father/Son, and at other times related to a heavenly Seth. Sometimes it is very hard to understand the mythical worldview of the Gnostics, but then, maybe they didn't wish to be understood by 'outsiders.'

This collection of texts is invaluable for any student of Gnosticism, however one should also purchase the excellent 'Nag Hammadi Library in English' as a companion volume to this. It is also useful to read one of the scholarly introductions to Gnosticism (i.e. Elaine Pagels) because otherwise the ideas and myths which were stamped out 14 centuries ago make no sense to one raised in the Orthodox Christian tradition.

Who knows how our religious beliefs would be, had Gnosis won out?

Editorial Review:

This definitive introduction to the gnostic scriptures provides a crucial look at the theology, religious atmosphere, and literary traditions of ancient Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism.

Maps and tables.

Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions And Literature

Birger A. Pearson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Accessible to religious scholars and lay readers alike. 5 out of 5 stars.
24 of 25 people found this review helpful.

Written by Gnosticism expert Birger A. Pearson (Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, University of California Santa Barbara), Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature is an overview of all primary literary evidence for ancient Gnosticism, offering a crystal clear introduction to each writing, including the recently published "Gospel of Judas". Chapters cover the classic schools of Christian Gnosticism, Hermetic Gnosis, Manicheism, and the Mandaeans. Chapters are keyed to standard translations of Gnostic writings, including "The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The International Edition" edited by Marvin W. Meyer, for easy cross-reference. Maps and recommendations for further reading round out this comprehensive introduction to who the Gnostics were and what they believed, accessible to religious scholars and lay readers alike.

Editorial Review:

Even as public interest is attracted to this esoteric religion, Escholars have debated its origins, its relationship to Judaism and Christianity, and even whether one distinctive and separate Gnostic "religion" ever existed. Birger Pearson's expert and accessible introduction brings the reader into the debate. Directly addressing the nettling questions of origins and definition, Pearson situates the advent of Gnosticism within the Greco-Roman religious world and critically appraises the sources. With illustrations, maps, timeline, and bibliography, Pearson's volume facilitates the pursuit of gnosis, at least historically, by general readers, students and scholars alike.

Pistis Sophia: The Gnostic Tradition of Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and His Disciples

G. R. S. Mead

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Pistis Sophia 5 out of 5 stars.
28 of 33 people found this review helpful.

This coptic codex is absolutely a source of enlightment for those who can understand gnostic hermeneutics. And the translation by MEAD, although from the Latin version and not the coptic, is still one of he most beautiful ones found even today, after almost 100 years of its first English printing.
Carl Schmidt's bilingual version of PISTIS SOPHIA is also worth studying. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to get.

"Pistis Sophia" a Masterpiece of Gnosis 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

All true seekers of Gnosis should study this remarkable book, illuminating masterpiece showing part of the pre-advent and post-resurrectional work and transcendent teachings of Lord Jesus.

Pistis Sophia 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I love this book, every time you reread the text you will discover a new truth, Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Peter are compelling in their discourses. The Magdalene proves her superiority as to understanding Jesus'words, compared to the knowledge and understanding of the male diciples. It is easy to see why "He loved her best". It is best to have a
basic understanding of Gnosticism to receive the most from the "first read". You will want to read it again and again.

Editorial Review:

A document of paramount historical importance, not only in terms of Christianity but also with respect to the development of Western religion. It chronicles the teachings of Jesus, who explains life's mysteries to his disciples and Mary Magdalene. Their discussions take place after Christ's resurrection and include accounts of his ascension into heaven.

The Missing Gospels: Unearthing the Truth Behind Alternative Christianities

Darrell L. Bock

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Seen church from both sides now . . . 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

So this is a good read, I presume . . . and yet others out there cry for Gnostic, mystical alternative gospelalia ad nauseum . . . typical . . .

What makes the most sense is the fact that when one experiences the Christ in a personal salvation, born-again, washed-in-the-blood way -- the individual -- as myself -- will see and know the Spirit of Truth. This very real and mystical entity indwelling the spirit is the Spirit of Christ, the New Man and this blended intelligence freshly given leads the believer into discerning "stink" from "fragrance".

When a born-again person reads the "hidden texts" a certain rotten smell is evident and we know to pass them by but when the word of God, the Word of Christ is evidenced, that ineffable fragrance of Truth and Life is revealed uniquely to each reader. Those outside the fold of being given this discerning spirit are without guidance and without the "nose" for rotten and dead vs. fresh and alive.

We can write tomes of why historical finds attempting to prove what text is God-breathed & what is just olde scribblings of man. Do we really prove anything? No. It is only the spirit that humbly seeks Truth that finds it. It is an individual quest of one-on-one with our Father seeking His children -- and no more.

Are there indeed a plethora of traditional organized religious paradigms and isms full of dead tradition and embellished trappings of malleable cultural icons that have nothing to do with the God of Abraham? Well -- duh . . . of course. Jesus pointed this out millennia ago and not much has changed. Only the unchanging core and embryonic truths of the Word of the Spirit of Christ still stand. Faith, Hope and the greatest ~ Love remain.

Instead of defending time-worn edifices of lofty ideas and seminary-bred viewpoints -- we need to extend our hearts and hands of love in the name of Jesus to the orphans, the widow and the stranger among us. This is God's desire and His Truth made evident -- when we love one another in action. And yes ~ there is no spiffy mystical & hidden-deep mystery in this. True Christianity is Jesus in overalls walking among us unseen.

Editorial Review:

On the heels of his New York Times besteller, Breaking the Da Vinci Code, New Testament expert Darrell Bock, in an easy-to-understand writing style, helps readers examine the claims about missing "secret" gospels and other early forms of Christianity. Bock presents samples of extra-biblical materials and compares them to biblical texts, enabling readers to make their own judgments.

The Wisdom of the Knowing Ones: Gnosticism: The Key to Esoteric Christianity

Manly P. Hall

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

An Interesting Look at Gnosticism 5 out of 5 stars.
53 of 53 people found this review helpful.

Although I had heard of the term "Gnosticism" previously, I was never quite sure what it really entailed - all I knew was that it was some form of religion or spirituality. So I purchased this book with the goal of gaining an understanding of this form of esoteric christianity - and, after having read it, I think this is probably the best book I could have chosen for this purpose.

In "The Wisdom of the Wise Ones", Hall discusses the beliefs held by the Gnostics; the parallels between Gnosticism and both Eastern & Western philosophies; Alexandria - the seat of mysticism; what happened to Gnosticism; as well as the symbolism used by this group.


Here are some of the insights I gained re: Gnosticism:

*Gnosticism is a form of esoteric christianity

*Gnostics didn't take bible stories literally - instead, they searched for the hidden meanings

*Gnostics were very tolerant of other religions - believing that a person's religion was based on their current emotions & perceptions. In other words, we interpret things differently based on "where we are" at the time.

*They viewed spirit as the highest state of matter, and matter as the lowest state of spirit

*They saw human beings as the bridge between nature & God

*They believed that each soul ascends through successive stages of being - learning & growing along the way

*They saught to find the middle-ground between the 2 most prevalent theologies of the time - christianity & paganism

*They believed that it's the mystery, not the interpretation that's real (and our interpretation = our religion)

*They believed that everyone would grow & change over time, and as such, their interpretations (religious choices)would grow & change as well.


Through reading this book, I was also reminded that much of what we deal with today - such as violence, scams, war & conspiricies - isn't new. The people who lived thousands of years ago were dealing with the same things...


Overall, I found "The Wisdom of the Knowing Ones" to be quite interesting. So, if you are interested in learning about Gnosticism, or enjoy reading about ancient cultures, I would highly recommend it.

Editorial Review:

If any group, which shared in the Christian mystery, possessed the esoteric secrets of the early Church, it was the Gnostics. This order preserved to the end the high ethical and rational standards which confer honor upon a teaching. The Church therefore attacked Gnosticism vigorously and relentlessly, recognizing these mystical philosophers as being the most formidable adversaries to the temporal power of Christian theology.

The Gnostic Religion

Hans Jonas

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Still a Classic 4 out of 5 stars.
23 of 23 people found this review helpful.

I have heard from others that Jonas' book is less difficult to follow than Rudolph's book "Gnosis". I would agree with this assessment, in some ways. I found Jonas' book to be well organised and less "wordy" than that which Rudolph wrote.

While Jonas does not cover as wide a range of types of Gnosticism, he does enter into greater detail. He uses Valentinian and Manichaean Gnosticism as examples of different streams of Gnostic thought. The detail into which he goes with the different elements of these schools is excellent, and is quite easily understood. He also covers the imagery and symbolism of Gnostic religion, as well as some on Marcion, Simon Magus and other topics.

One drawback is the book's age, and it is a little dated. Here, Rudolph's book offers a more recent analysis with more of the Nag Hammadi Codices easily available than in Jonas' time. Despite this, Jonas still presents an excellent overview, and his book is rightly considered a classic in the field.

Overall, the book is worth the money and worth the effort to read. It provides a sound basis and introduction to Gnosticism that is not too loaded with incomprehensible words and rubbish.

If you know little to nothing about Gnosticism, start with Hans Jonas.

Editorial Review:

The Message of the Alien God and the Beginnings of Christianity

What Is Gnosticism?

Karen L. King

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Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A distinctive Christian heresy? A competitor of burgeoning Christianity? A pre-Christian folk religion traceable to "Oriental syncretism"? How do we account for the disparate ideas, writings, and practices that have been placed under the Gnostic rubric? To do so, Karen King says, we must first disentangle modern historiography from the Christian discourse of orthodoxy and heresy that has pervaded--and distorted--the story.

Exciting discoveries of previously unknown ancient writings--especially the forty-six texts found at Nag Hammadi in 1945--are challenging historians of religion to rethink not only what we mean by Gnosticism but also the standard account of Christian origins. The Gospel of Mary and The Secret Book of John, for example, illustrate the variety of early Christianities and are witness to the struggle of Christians to craft an identity in the midst of the culturally pluralistic Roman Empire. King shows how historians have been misled by ancient Christian polemicists who attacked Gnostic beliefs as a "dark double" against which the new faith could define itself. Having identified past distortions, she is able to offer a new and clarifying definition of Gnosticism. Her book is thus both a thorough and innovative introduction to the twentieth-century study of Gnosticism and a revealing exploration of the concept of heresy as a tool in forming religious identity.

(20050401)

The Gnostic Bible: The Pistis Sophia Unveiled

Samael Aun Weor

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Editorial Review:

"It came to pass, when Jesus had risen from the dead, that he passed eleven years discoursing with his disciples, and instructing them... "

The Pistis Sophia Unveiled represents the ascensional goal of Gnostic Wisdom. Not only does it contain the written message of Jesus of Nazareth (the great teacher of the previous era of Pisces) but also contains a detailed commentary written by Samael Aun Weor, the great teacher of the new Aquarian era. A quote from the author:

"The Hebrew Bible clearly connotes the Word of the Eternal One. However, we, the Gnostics, also have our very special Bible. I want to emphatically declare that this is The Pistis Sophia, whose original is in Coptic. It was found underground in Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs. The Pistis Sophia contains all the words of the adorable Savior of the world. It was written by the Apostles. Thus, all the Esoteric-Christic instructions that Jesus Christ gave to his disciples on the Mount of the Olives and other holy places is written within this book. This book had been conserved in secret for many centuries. In this book, the Adorable One left an extraordinary, formidable body of doctrine."

Within these pages, the reader will discover a form of wisdom which completely obliterates the speculations of scholars and intellectuals. Those who merely seek to compare these writings with what they have been told in the past will surely be disappointed. Here, you will find something completely new and without precedence in the theories and dogmas of men. Here, you will find the actual wisdom teachings of the Universal Cosmic Christ; that wisdom which has been expressed throughout all ages and times and which has given birth to every religion of the world. Here you will find the pure and complete knowledge which every soul requires in order to discover its true nature.

The Pistis Sophia Unveiled is a message for all humankind, in every corner of the world.

The Gospel of Thomas: New Perspectives on Jesus' Message

Elaine Pagels

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Editorial Review:

Millions of readers have turned to Elaine Pagels for her clear and insightful books about the Gnostic Gospels—the teachings of Jesus that have been lost for centuries. Sounds True is proud to present the first widely available audio recording of this extraordinary scholar as she explores the text that has changed the way many of us think about the message of Christ: The Gospel of Thomas. The stunning archaeological discovery of these lost scriptures of early Christianity in 1945 has revealed exciting new dimensions to the wisdom passed on from Jesus to his disciples. In her analysis of this revived gospel, Dr. Pagels reveals that Thomas was not a "doubter" of Christ—rather, his thoughtful inquiries reflected and brought out the deepest truths that Jesus had to offer. Thomas’ account depicts a Jesus who taught us that the "Kingdom of Heaven" is not a separate realm, but a state of divinity that we all can reach. He is even called the "twin" of Jesus—a metaphor for the possibility that all of us can achieve the same state of divine grace embodied by Jesus. Elaine Pagels has riveted readers and audiences everywhere with her clear and provocative explorations of the testaments of early Christianity. The Gospel of Thomas gives listeners a first opportunity to join her in charting "a wider horizon" of Christian spirituality.

The Gnostic Discoveries: The Impact of the Nag Hammadi Library

Marvin Meyer

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Editorial Review:

The Meaning of the Nag Hammadi, now in paperback opens the with the thrilling adventure story of the discovery of the ancient Papyrii at Nag Hammadi. Muhammad Ali, the fellahin, discovered the sealed jar, he feared that it might contain a jinni, or spirit, but also had heard of hidden treasures in such jars. Greed overcame his fears and when he smashed open the jar, gold seemed to float into the air. To his disappointment, it was papyrus fragmenst, not gold, but for scholars around the world, it was invaluable.

Meyer then discusses the pre–Christian forms of wisdom that went onto influence what Christians believe today. In addition, some Nag Hammadi texts are attributed to Valentinus, a man who almost became Pope, and whose rejection changed the church in significant ways. Text by text, Meyer traces the history and impact of this great find on the Church, right up to our current beliefs and popular cultural fascination with this officially suppressed secret knowledge about Jesus and his followers.