Introduction to Gnosticism: Ancient Voices, Christian Worlds

by Nicola Denzey Lewis

Discovered in Egypt in 1945, the fascinating and challenging Nag Hammadi writings forever changed our understanding of early Christianity. State-of-the-art and the only volume of its kind, Introduction to "Gnosticism": Ancient Voices, Christian Worlds guides students through the most significant of the Nag Hammadi texts. Employing an exceptionally lucid and accessible writing style, Nicola Denzey Lewis groups the texts by theme and genre, places them in the broader context of the ancient world, and reveals their most inscrutable mysteries.

Ideal for use in courses in Early Christianity/Origins of Christianity, Christianity to 1500, Gnostic Gospels, Gnosticism, Early Christian Writings, Orthodoxy and Heresy, and New Testament Studies, Introduction to "Gnosticism" is enhanced by numerous pedagogical features, including images of the manuscripts, study and discussion questions, annotated bibliographies, tables, diagrams, and a glossary.

Genres: Religion, Gnosticism, Christianity, History, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2012

Reviews

[Kaberoi Rua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent introduction to Gnosticism. Maybe not, for the advanced Gnostic student but great book for anyone wanting an overview on gnostic philosophy. This book is an actual text book written and used for an Introduction to Gnosticism class taught by the author at Brown University. This book analyzes and compares Valentinian and Sethian Gnosticism. The book breaks down the following Nag Hammadi Tractates and Codexs:

1. Gnostic Prayer: Prayer of the Apostle Paul and Prayer of Thanksgiving

2. Tripartite Tractate

3. Interpretation of Knowledge

4. A Valentinian Exposition

5. The Gospel of Truth

6. Gospel of Philip

7. The Gospel of Thomas and the Book of Thomas the Co tender

8. Three Steles of Seth 

9. Hypostasis of the Archons and On the Origin of the World

10. The Apocryhon of John

11. Gospels of the Egyptians

12. The first and Second Apocalypse of James

13. Treatise on the Resurrection

14. Thunder: Perfect Mind

15. Trimorphic Protennoia

16. Letter of Peter to Philip

17. Acts of Peter and the Twelve Disciples

18. Apocalypse of Peter

19. Discourse on the Eigth and Ninth

20. Asclepius

21. Apocalypse of Paul

22. Apocalypse of Adam

23. Zostrianos

24. Allogenes

25. Marsanes

In addition, the author analyzes two gnostic texts found in Codex Tchacos. These Codexs were not discovered in the find at Nag Hammadi. They are: The Gospel of Judas and The Gospel of Mary Magdalene. I highly recommend reading this text book along-side the original Nag Hammadi Scriptures edited by Marvin Meyer. It's been two years since I read the Nag Hammadi Scriptures, it was nice to have in my library to read along-side this text book. Finally, I totally agree with a reviewer on Amazon that Chapter 11 tilted Hypostasis of the Archons and On Origin of the World was worth the price of the entire book. 

[Prenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very approachable guide to reading the fascinating texts of the Nag Hammadi codices.

[Masho Shanshashvili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive, written in accessible language, absolutely engaging

[Davide Orsato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utile e didatticissima intrudizioni allo gnosticismo. Andava tenuto il titolo originale (Introduction to Gnosticism: Ancient Voices, Christian Worlds)

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly interesting and accessible introduction to Gnosticism.