Gnosticism Books

Book SynopsisThis volume contains several presentations of new Manichaean source materials and provocative essays upon them. The studies are authored by an international group of leading scholars in the fields of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern studies, comparative religion, early Christianity, patristics, Turkic studies, and Coptology. Throughout the book the studies present and discuss a variety of source materials representing the vast geographical spread of Manichaeism. This book should prove to be foundational for future research on Manichaeism and late antique religions in general.Trade Review'...no future studies on Manichaeism and its source material can afford to bypass this work...' Edgar C. Polomé, The Journal of Indo-European Studies, 1999.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is a comprehensive study of “Valentinianism,” the most important Gnostic Christian movement in Antiquity. It is the first attempt to make full use of the Valentinian documents from Nag Hammadi as well as the reports of the Church Fathers. The book discusses the difference between the Eastern and the Western branches of Valentinianism, and argues that individual sources must always be understood in the context of the historical development of Valentinian doctrines. It also analyses the ideas about the incarnation, protological theories, and initiation practice, as well as the dynamic relationship between these building-blocks of Valentinian doctrine. A final chapter studies anew the doctrine of Valentinus himself and outlines the history of the movement. The book’s usefulness lies in its attempt to bring together for the first time all the sources so as to construct a coherent picture of Valentinian Christianity. This volume is also available as paperback.Trade Review"The author has a good sense of the philosophical and theological issues at stake and situates the tradition well in the intellectual world of the second century… a very ambitious and very learned reconstruction of the Valentinian tradition. This monograph will make a major contribution to the study of early Christian life and thought." – Harold W. Attridge, University of Notre Dame "The Spiritual Seed is in my opinion the most important book on Valentinian Gnostic Christianity published since the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices 60 years ago." – Birger A. Pearson, Professor Emeritus, University of California, Santa Barbara "Einar Thomassen's The Spiritual Seed is a magisterial work, the most comprehensive and authoritative study of Valentinian Christianity now available. Through his close readings of the often fragmentary ancient sources, Thomassen pieces together a compelling reconstruction of the history, teachings, and rituals of this fascinating branch of the early Christian movement. The book concludes with an original portrait of Valentinus himself. Newcomers to the study of Valentinianism will profit from the book's clear introduction to the important questions and figures, while specialists will find fresh insights and seasoned judgments on nearly every page. This is the one book that anyone interested in Valentinian Christianity should read." – David Brakke, Indiana University "At slightly over 500 pages, Einar Thomassen's The Spiritual Seed: The Church of the "Valentinians" is by far the most important, thorough, and authoritative treatment of Valentinian Christianity in the 60 years since the publication of François Sagnard's La gnose valentinienne et le témoignage de saint Irenée in 1947. Its 32 chapters contain an exhaustive and careful analysis of all extant Valentinian literature from the Nag Hammadi library, the commentaries of Heracleon, Theodotus' Excerpts, and Ptolemy's Letter to Flora, and all the patristic testimonies that in turn were based on nearly a score of no-longer extant texts, well as all the fragmentary but non-systematic remains of psalms, homilies and letters that can be attributed to Valentinus himself. […] All-in-all, this clearly and patiently written work is a "blockbuster" that now gives a reliable account of Valentinian theology, ritual, and intellectual history. The Spiritual Seed is now the definitive treatment of Valentinianism and its biblical and philosophical bases, a "must have" for all scholars-and their research libraries-of ancient Gnosticism, second-century Christian history and thought, and historians of later Greek philosophy." – John D. Turner, University of Nebraska at LincolnTable of ContentsPART I VALENTINIANISM EAST AND WEST 1 The Valentinians of Irenaeus 2 “Valentinus” in Iren. Haer. I 11:1 3 The doctrine of Theodotus 4 The two “schools” 5 The soteriology of The Tripartite Tractate 6 The soteriology of Irenaeus’ system 7 The soteriology of Exc. 43:2–65 8 The soteriology of Iren. Haer. I 7:2 9 The soteriology of Hipp. Haer. VI 29–36 10 Provisional conclusions 11 Eastern soteriologies: The Treatise on the Resurrection 12 Eastern soteriologies: The Interpretation of Knowledge 13 Eastern soteriologies: The Gospel of Philip 14 The soteriology of Heracleon 15 The position of Ptolemy PART II THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF VALENTINIANISM 16 Salvation in history and ritual 17 Salvation in history and protological myth 18 Protology, salvation history, and ritual 19 Conclusion to Part II PART III VALENTINIAN PROTOLOGY 20 The pleromatology 21 The myth of separation and restoration 22 Chronology of the protologies 23 The meaning and origins of Valentinian protology 24 The transformation of eschatology to protology PART IV VALENTINIAN INITIATION 25 The sources 26 Initiation: Synopsis of the acts y of the initiation ritual 28 The historical position of Valentinian initiation 29 A ritual for the dying PART V VALENTINUS AND THE “VALENTINIANS” 30 Valentinus: biography and sources 31 Valentinus: a study of the fragments 32 Valentinians: fragments of the history of Valentinianism

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book offers a new understanding of Sethianism and the origins of Gnosticism by examining the mythology in and social reality behind a group of texts to which certain leaders of the early church occasionally attached the label ‘Ophite.’ In the unique Ophite mythology, which rewrites the Genesis paradise story and is attested, for example, in Irenaeus’ Adversus haereses 1.30, The Apocryphon of John and On the Origin of the World, the snake’s advice to eat of the tree of knowledge is considered positive, the creator and his angels are turned into demonic beasts and the true Godhead is presented as an androgynous heavenly projection of Adam and Eve. It is argued that Hans-Martin Schenke’s influential model of the ‘Sethian system’ only reveals part of a larger whole to which the Ophite material belongs as an important and organic component.Trade Review'most important book on Gnostic mythology in the last five years: almost bewilderingly comprehensive, brilliantly argued, thoroughly documented, and cognizant of all the relevant Gnostic scholarship. It is certainly destined to be - if it is no already - an indispensiable resource for the study of ancient Gnosticism.' John D. Turner, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Numen 59 (2012) 'Paradise Reconsidered excels at stimulating new questions, [...] marks a decisive turning point in our understanding of Gnostic myth and its diverse permutations in some of its most famous literary traditions. It is necessary reading for any student of Gnosticism and of primary interest for scholars of Western esotericism. The notes and indices, whose editing is pristine, will also provide a weath of references and Forschungsgeschichte for the researcher.' Dylan M. Burns, Aries 13 (2013) '...nous ne pouvons que saluer la parution de ce livre qui deviendra très rapidement un incontournable pour les spécialistes du gnosticisme.' Steve Johnston, Laval théologique et philosophique. "..the volume is definitely one of the more interesting and creative books on the origin and development of gnostic mythology. A reading of this book will be worthwhile precisely for the challenges it poses and also for the stimulus it provides scholars with different points of view. It is also worth consulting for the broad variety of sources studied and the works employed. The systematic and comprehensive analysis of the Ophite mythology is highly appreciated, no matter if one shares the explicit assumptions or not. The study is well-presented and makes a valuable contribution to important topics. I gladly recommend the book to everyone interested in those issues, but particularly to the specialists in the field [...] this book will be indispensable for and have a vital place in the future research on Gnosticism.' Gesine Schenke Robinson, RBL, June 2011 'It is to be hoped that this solid work stimulates further studies of the early development of the Gnostic thought world.' Gerard Luttikhuizen, Vigiliae Christianae 66 (2012)

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe use and appreciation of Scripture by the Manichaeans is a field of research with many unanswered questions. This study offers an investigation into the role of the Bible in the writings of the important Manichaean missionary Addas Adimantus (flor. ca. 250 CE), one of Mani's first disciples. A major part of the book is dedicated to the reconstruction of the contents of his Disputationes, in which writing Adimantus attempted to demonstrate that the Old and New Testaments are absolutely irreconcilable. The most important source in this connection is Augustine, who refuted a Latin translation of Adimantus’ work. A thorough analysis of the contents of the Disputationes brings to the fore that Adimantus was a Marcionite prior to his going over to Mani’s church.Trade Review"this is a valuable contribution to both Augustinian and Manichaean studies and could be read with profit by scholars in both discipline." – Samuel N.C. Lieu, in: Vigiliae Christianae 67 (2013) "There is much [...] that will generate discussion between scholars interested in Manichaeism, Marcionite and Augustinian studies. [...] This is a fascinating study that will be of particular value to specialists in the areas listed above." – Paul Foster, in: Expository Times 122.3 (December 2010)

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis volume brings together the selected papers of the Fribourg-Utrecht symposium Augustine and Manichaeism in the Latin West, organized on behalf of the International Association of Manichaean Studies. It contains a considerable number of contributions by leading authorities on the subject, focussing on both the diffusion of Mani’s religion in the Latin West and its substantial impact upon St. Augustine.Trade Review"Here is an excellent resource for patristics specialists and students of Manichaeism." – Birger A. Pearson, in: Religious Studies Review, 2002

Read more less

Book SynopsisRitual, magic, liturgy, and theurgy were central features of Gnosticism, and yet Gnostic practices remain understudied. This anthology is meant to fill in this gap and address more fully what the ancient Gnostics were doing. While previously we have studied the Gnostics as intellectuals in pursuit of metaphysical knowledge, the essays in this book attempt to understand the Gnostics as ecstatics striving after religious experience, as prophets seeking revelation, as mystics questing after the ultimate God, as healers attempting to care for the sick and diseased. These essays demonstrate that the Gnostics were not necessarily trendy intellectuals seeking epistomological certainities. They were after religious experiences that relied on practices. The book is organized comparatively in a history-of-religions approach with sections devoted to Initiatory, Recurrent, Therapeutic, Ecstatic, and Philosophic Practices. This book celebrates the brilliant career of Birger A. Pearson.Trade Review"This carefully structured festschrift [...] is a fitting tribute to Birger Pearson. [...] the essays offer significant new perspectives on various types of Gnostic practices [...] the volume will be widely consulted by scholars in the field.' - Paul Foster, University of Edinburgh, in: The Expository Times 126/3 (2014)Table of ContentsApril D. DeConick, Introduction to Practicing Gnosis A Tribute to Birger A. Pearson George W.E. Nickelsburg, For Birger Pearson: A Scholar Who Both Studies and Embodies Syncretism Gerald James Larson, Religionsgeschichtliche Schule, Religionswissenschaft, Piano, Oboe and Bourbon Gregory Shaw, Birger Pearson: Scholar, Professor and Mentor Birger A. Pearson, A Bibliography Initiatory Practices April D. DeConick, The Road for the Souls is through the Planets: The Mysteries of the Ophians Mapped Roger Beck, Ecstatic Religion in the Roman Cult of Mithras Bas van Os, Gospel of Philip as Gnostic Initiatory Discourse Elliot Wolfson, Becoming Invisible: Rending the Veil and the Hermeneutic of Secrecy in the Gospel of Philip Erin Evans, Ritual in the Second Book of Jeu Nicola Denzey Lewis, Death on the Nile: Egyptian Codices, Gnosticism, and Early Christian Books of the Dead Recurrent Pratices Einar Thomassen, Going to Church with the Valentinians Madeleine Scopello, Practicing ‘Repentance’ on the Path to Gnosis in Exegesis on the Soul Edward Butler, Opening the Way of Writing: Semiotic Metaphysics in the Book of Thoth Fernando Bermejo Rubio, “I Worship and Glorify”: Manichaean Liturgy and Piety in Kellis’ Prayer of the Emanations Jason BeDuhn, The Manichaean Weekly Confessional Ritual Jorunn Buckley, Ritual Ingenuity in the Mandaean Scroll of Exalted Kingship Therapeutic Practices Naomi Janowitz, Natural, Magical, Scientific or Religious? A Guide to Theories of Healing Grant Adamson, Astrological Medicine in Gnostic Traditions Marvin Meyer, The Persistence of Ritual in the Magical Book of Mary and the Angels: P. Heid. Inv. Kopt. 685 Rebecca Lesses, Image and Word: Performative Ritual and Material Culture in the Aramaic Incantation Bowls Ecstatic Practices John D. Turner, From Baptismal Vision to Mystical Union with the One: The Case of the Sethian Gnostics Niclas Förster, Marcosian Rituals for Prophecy and Apolytrosis James Davila, Ritual Praxis in the Hekhalot Literature Philosophic Practices Zeke Mazur, The Platonizing Sethian Gnostic Interpretation of Plato’s Sophist Michael Williams, Did Plotinus’ “Friends” Still Go to Church? Communal Rituals and Ascent Apocalypses Kevin Corrigan, The Meaning of “One”: Plurality and Unity in Plotinus and Later Neoplatonism Gregory Shaw, Theurgy and the Platonist’s Luminous Body

Read more less

Book SynopsisDespite the surge of interest in Gnostic texts following the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library, the Coptic Books of Jeu and Pistis Sophia remain understudied. Often dismissed as convoluted, confused, and repetitious, Erin Evans convincingly shows that these texts represent the writings of a distinct religious group with a consistent system of theology, cosmology, and ritual practice. This book offers an in-depth examination of these texts, their relationship to other contemporary Gnostic ideas, and their use in the context of a practicing religious group. Three thematic sections demonstrate how the collection of texts functions as a whole, covering baptisms and mystical ascent procedures, guides to moral living, and introductory texts and myths.Trade Review'die Erläuterungen von E. zum Verständnis der Texte anregend und müssen in eine quellenvergleichende, philologische und religions- und ideengeschichtliche Arbeit an den Schriften einbezogen werden. E. ist zu danken, daß sie die Aufmerksamkeit der Forschung wieder auf diese Texte gelenkt hat.' Clemens Scholten, Universität zu Köln, Vigiliae Christianae 71 (2017) 'This book fills a significant gap, and attempts to reconstruct the groups behind the 'Jeuian' texts. [...] Evans' presentation is extremely acccessible, with essential concepts summed up clearly, and will be an asset to scholars of Gnosticism, early Christianity, and late-antique religion more broadly.' Kimberley Fowler, University of Manchester, The Expository Times 128 (9) 2017Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I Baptism and Ascent Guides 1. The First Book of Jeu 2. The Second Book of Jeu 3. Diagrams in the Books of Jeu 4. 4 Pistis Sophia (A) Part I Summary Part II Punishments and Moral Living 5. 4 Pistis Sophia (B) 6. 3 Pistis Sophia Part II Summary Part III Introductory Texts and Myths 7. 1/2 Pistis Sophia 8. The Pistis Sophia Myth Part III: Summary Conclusions

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 2009 the Seventh International Conference of Manichaean Studies was held at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin. The 22 selected papers of this volume offer a deep insight into the faith of Manichaean communities ranging from the very beginning of the 3rd century up to the last traces of worship today. Among others the authors deal with sources from Augustin, John the Grammarian, Ephrem the Syrian and further sources written in Coptic, Sogdian, Middle Persian, Parthian and Chinese. Several studies about Manichaean art and iconography offer a visual impression, which gives a new opportunity for understanding the religion of Light.Trade Review"Many insightful contributions... in this volume [and] lavish colourplates [...] a wonderful supplement to the intellectually stimulating volume and result in discussions that enrich both the mind and the eye." - Paul Foster, University of Edinburgh, in: The Expository Times 127 (3) "Like all the previous collections of proceedings of the International Association of Manichaean Studies, this latest volume greatly advances many aspects of Manichaean studies: history, theology, codicology and iconography, to name but a few." - Samuel N.C. Lieu, in: Zeitschrift für antikes Christentum, 2016Table of ContentsCharles Horton, MANI - The Lost Religion of Light: The Interpretation of Manichaean Manuscripts for a General Audience Sara Antonietta Luisa Arnoldi, Der Kampf Augustins gegen die Manichäer: Das Beispiel der Schrift De Genesi contra Manichaeos Byard Bennett, The Physics of Light, Darkness and Matter in John the Grammarian’s First Homily against the Manichaeans: Early Byzantine Anti-Manichaean Literature as a Window on Controversies in later Neoplatonism Fernando Bermejo, Primal Man, Son of God: from Explicit to Implicit Christian Elements in Manichaeism Iris Colditz, The Abstract of a Religion or: What is Manichaeism? J. Kevin Coyle (†), Biblical Pseudepigrapha among North African Manichaeans Jean-Daniel Dubois, A Possible Liturgical Context for the First Hymn to Jesus in the Chinese Manichaean Hymnbook (col. 6–44) Desmond Durkin-Meisterernst, Abecedarian Hymns, a Survey of Published Middle Persian and Parthian Manichaean Hymns Jorinde Ebert, Individualisation of Redemption in a Manichaean Painting from Ningbo Majella Franzmann, Kephalaia 55 and the Great Free Woman: Concepts of Seclusion and Public Exhibition in Relation to Women and Female Figures in Manichaean Texts Zsuzsanna Gulácsi, Images of Jesus in Manichaean Art Gábor Kósa, Two Manichaean Judgment Scenes― MIK III 4959 V and the Yamato Bunkakan Sandōzu Painting Ma Xiaohe, Remains of the Religion of Light in Xiapu (霞浦) County, Fujian Province Gunner Mikkelsen, Recent Research on Chinese Manichaean Texts Wolf B. Oerter, Fragen an Kephalaia Kapitel 151 (ed. Funk) – Kephalaia Kapitel 154 (ed. Schmidt/Polotsky) Revisited Nils Arne Pedersen, Syriac Texts in Manichaean Script: New Evidence Christiane Reck, Sogdian Manichaean Confessional Fragments in Sogdian Script in the Berlin Turfan Collection: the Fragments of the Xwāstwānīft Flavia Ruani, The “Seal of the Mouth” in the Anti-Manichaean Polemic of Ephrem the Syrian Cristos Theodorou, The Concept of Body and the Body of Christ in the Manichaean Coptic Psalm-Book Agnès Le Tiec, La manifestation de l’image dans l’« Homélie sur la Grande Guerre » Wang Yuanyuan & Lin Wushu, The Last Remains of Manichaeism in Villages of Jinjiang County, China Yutaka Yoshida, Southern Chinese Version of Mani’s Picture Book Discovered?

Read more less