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The Secret History of the Gnostics: Their Scriptures, Beliefs and Traditions
Learn more about the myths, practices, history, and recent resurgence of Gnosticism as a Gnostic scholar seeks to answer why this Christian mystical movement has inspired the likes of Dan Brown and Philip Pullman
The Secret History of the Gnostics offers long-awaited illumination on the mystical movement that teaches ‘gnosis’—knowledge of God as opposed to unquestioning faith. Acclaimed author Andrew Phillip Smith delves into the myths and practices of this ancient movement, exploring its popularity during 2nd century AD, its subsequent decline under the weight of orthodoxy in the Church, and its present-day resurgence.
Gnosticism has travelled a fascinating path—from the Manichaeans in Modern Persia between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD, to the triumphs and tragedies of the Cathars in Southern Europe between the 12th and 14th centuries, to, finally, today’s Mandaeans in Iraq. However, as the author points out, the revival of Gnosticism extends further than these narrow sects, offering inspiration to a legion of literary figures, including Dan Brown and Philip Pullman. Gnosticism’s emphasis on personal over organized religion—in keeping with the doctrine of the early Christian era during which it thrived—has found particular resonance with today’s multicultural world.
In addition to discussing the Gnostic gospels and the sect’s practical beliefs and customers, The Secret History of the Gnostics is also, in effect, a manifesto, an appeal to those inspired by or drawn to the Gnostic faith not to forget its origins.
The Secret History of the Gnostics offers long-awaited illumination on the mystical movement that teaches ‘gnosis’—knowledge of God as opposed to unquestioning faith. Acclaimed author Andrew Phillip Smith delves into the myths and practices of this ancient movement, exploring its popularity during 2nd century AD, its subsequent decline under the weight of orthodoxy in the Church, and its present-day resurgence.
Gnosticism has travelled a fascinating path—from the Manichaeans in Modern Persia between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD, to the triumphs and tragedies of the Cathars in Southern Europe between the 12th and 14th centuries, to, finally, today’s Mandaeans in Iraq. However, as the author points out, the revival of Gnosticism extends further than these narrow sects, offering inspiration to a legion of literary figures, including Dan Brown and Philip Pullman. Gnosticism’s emphasis on personal over organized religion—in keeping with the doctrine of the early Christian era during which it thrived—has found particular resonance with today’s multicultural world.
In addition to discussing the Gnostic gospels and the sect’s practical beliefs and customers, The Secret History of the Gnostics is also, in effect, a manifesto, an appeal to those inspired by or drawn to the Gnostic faith not to forget its origins.
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 10, 2022
This is a book I will keep as a reference.
The Gnostics were distinguished from other early Christians in their emphasis on gnosis, the Greek word for knowledge rather than faith. According to the Gnostics, it is gnosis itself that saves, redeems, and provides liberation. The Gnostics saw Jesus as a saviour and redeemer, but their Jesus saved and redeemed by bringing knowledge of the universe and Man's place within it.
Gnosis is a direct kind of knowledge and might be translated as 'acquaintance' or 'recognition'. True gnosis is a direct knowledge of the Self and the truth about the universe.
The Gnostics first appeared in the first centuries AD in the eastern Mediterranean. At the peak of their activity there were many different groups called Marcosians, Ophites, Cainites, Naasenes, and Carpocratians by the Church Fathers but really they were mainly Sethians and Valentinians. The author traces the line of Gnostics through to the Cathars and Paulicians and Bogomils a thousand years later and to the Mandaeans of modern-day Iraq.
Other spiritual systems have Gnostic qualities for instance Mahayana Buddhism, Kabbalah, and Neoplatonism.
The Gnostics were distinguished from other early Christians in their emphasis on gnosis, the Greek word for knowledge rather than faith. According to the Gnostics, it is gnosis itself that saves, redeems, and provides liberation. The Gnostics saw Jesus as a saviour and redeemer, but their Jesus saved and redeemed by bringing knowledge of the universe and Man's place within it.
Gnosis is a direct kind of knowledge and might be translated as 'acquaintance' or 'recognition'. True gnosis is a direct knowledge of the Self and the truth about the universe.
The Gnostics first appeared in the first centuries AD in the eastern Mediterranean. At the peak of their activity there were many different groups called Marcosians, Ophites, Cainites, Naasenes, and Carpocratians by the Church Fathers but really they were mainly Sethians and Valentinians. The author traces the line of Gnostics through to the Cathars and Paulicians and Bogomils a thousand years later and to the Mandaeans of modern-day Iraq.
Other spiritual systems have Gnostic qualities for instance Mahayana Buddhism, Kabbalah, and Neoplatonism.
May 20, 2018
This is a moderately academic analysis of what the Gnostics were about, though it does come with a few speculative comments from the author too.
On the academic side, there are quibbles on what constituted 'real' Gnosticism and what, not. For Smith, this would be what is now broadly as the Sethian movement, the other being the followers of Valentinus. Basilides, who came earlier, is described rather a proto-Gnostic, whilst doubt is cast on whether the so-called originator of Gnosticism, Simon Magus, actually ever existed at all.
Smith does not stop there, however: he goes on to discuss the later movements Manichaeanism and Catharism. As the Cathars were exterminated and little remaining of their literature, it is less easy to understand who they lived as people. He does paint a rather more reasonable way of life as lived by the Manichaeans, even though their dualism was rather more radical. They were vegetarians and even through consumption, were involved in the creative redemption of light from darkness. Smith finally draws attention to the plight of a Gnostic sect that has survived over the millennia to the present day - the Mandaeans, many of who have been forced to migrate.
Smith, whilst keen to see a revival of esotericism now, seems as puzzled as many others by the reports of some of their more bizarre practises - for example, the extremes of licentiousness and asceticism as reported by others, alongside the lack of consistency in how they are prescribed within their gospels. From that point of view, sometimes Smith's academicism seems to blind him to a more what others in this field might describe as a more literalist way of looking at things.
The recognition that the anguish of the fallen cosmic Sophia does seem to parallel the plight of the soul of Everyman or woman, that is, not really very free, certainly can be found within these pages. This is a decent analysis of what is a fascinating topic and I understand there is more on this too, from this particular author.
On the academic side, there are quibbles on what constituted 'real' Gnosticism and what, not. For Smith, this would be what is now broadly as the Sethian movement, the other being the followers of Valentinus. Basilides, who came earlier, is described rather a proto-Gnostic, whilst doubt is cast on whether the so-called originator of Gnosticism, Simon Magus, actually ever existed at all.
Smith does not stop there, however: he goes on to discuss the later movements Manichaeanism and Catharism. As the Cathars were exterminated and little remaining of their literature, it is less easy to understand who they lived as people. He does paint a rather more reasonable way of life as lived by the Manichaeans, even though their dualism was rather more radical. They were vegetarians and even through consumption, were involved in the creative redemption of light from darkness. Smith finally draws attention to the plight of a Gnostic sect that has survived over the millennia to the present day - the Mandaeans, many of who have been forced to migrate.
Smith, whilst keen to see a revival of esotericism now, seems as puzzled as many others by the reports of some of their more bizarre practises - for example, the extremes of licentiousness and asceticism as reported by others, alongside the lack of consistency in how they are prescribed within their gospels. From that point of view, sometimes Smith's academicism seems to blind him to a more what others in this field might describe as a more literalist way of looking at things.
The recognition that the anguish of the fallen cosmic Sophia does seem to parallel the plight of the soul of Everyman or woman, that is, not really very free, certainly can be found within these pages. This is a decent analysis of what is a fascinating topic and I understand there is more on this too, from this particular author.
Read
January 3, 2017Seriously my favorite book so far this year!! I actually picked it up in the midst of reading two other titles.. I thought that I would just thumb through it a bit. I ended up locking myself into my study and reading it from front to back.. only pausing to scribble furiously into my journal as new thoughts arised.
April 9, 2021
Summary: Solid, but at times requires a bit too much background knowledge. The book goes through the remaining parts of gnostics and is not necessarily a history of the religion itself.
I have no idea what I was expecting with it. It took me a bit took me a bit to realize the thrust of his argument begins with the idea that there was an event. His name was Jesus. And from that event there were the Gnostics, the Current Catholic Christian that we know, and then a bunch of others. Most of the others didn't make it. Gnostics kinda made it and because (last chapter) they hooked up with the Templars, they are kinda intriguingly popular.
In between however, are a lot of things we think are gnostic.
Nag Hammadi codices were discovered in 1945. (The thing that really opened up gnostic knowledge).
"a codex is a manuscript book copied by hand before the invention of printing, but bound in essentially the same way as the modern book."
"Many of the Gnostic dialogues between Jesus and his disciples are post- resurrection, emphasizing that it is not one's early contact with Jesus that is important, but one's own direct relationship to light."
End of Chapter 3:
The ignorant, arrogant demiurge is concerned with maintaining this material world. In this light, the elaborate, extravagant myths of the Gnostics are suddenly seen to be immediately relevant to the human condition. Perhaps the classic Gnostic myth were not evidence of a world-hating mentality, as so many enemies of the Gnostics have claimed, but represent a penetrating insight into human psychology.
Ch 4:
There are 2 interpretations that differentiate the Gnostics from Christians as relates to JC. Option 1
"One, which is more Valentinian, emphasizes resurrection as a spiritual resurrection, based strongly on an interpretation of Paul. Thus, resurrection may be experienced in this life, as the Gospel of Philip 19 puts it: "Those who say that the Lord first died and then arose are confused, for he first arose then died. Anyone who first acquires the resurrection shall not die."
Option 2 is that JC never had a physical body. The Crucifixion is an allegory of a story. I can see how that would really piss the Christians off.
Ch 7:
It was perhaps the lack of dogma and the low degree of organization and political power in Gnostic groups that prevent them from spreading widely and becoming a large scale religion.
Ch 8:
"Neoplatonism had many overlaps with Gnostic thought, not least in that it stressed the importance of personal spiritual experience. 'The novice must hold himself constantly under some image of the Divine Being and seek in the light of a clear conception; knowing thus, in a deep conviction, whither he is going into what a sublimity he penetrates - he must give himself forthwith to the inner and, radiant with the Divine Intellections (with which he is now one), be no longer the seer."
He produced a teaching that acknowledged the ultimate aim of gnosis of the One but allowed the practitioner to partake of pagan ritual and magical practice. As such it became the dominant form of Neoplatonism.
Here he's talking about gnostics who had elements into the Muslim religion.
The Druze are divided into two castes: a secular caste, who are called 'the ignorant', and a religious caste called 'the knowers' or Gnostics. Their cosmology is emanations and they believe in reincarnation. Their use of the Qur'an involves some esoteric interpretation.
Chap 9th: Here he talks about the Cathers as surviving Gnostics. They were not popular and they put them in jail to kill them. But then the Cathers would go to great lengths to administer last rights.
CH 10: The Mandaeans These dudes believed in a reincarnation like approach with 8 spheres associated with the seven classical planets and Ruh-a, which seek to detain the soul in purgatories. The typical Gnostic feature familiar as the ascent of the soul."
"The Mandaens were recognized as 'People of the Book' By the Muslims and they do indeed have a wealth of scripture." This book, Diwan Abathur, named the Third Life who weighs the soul.
Ch 11: "The anti-Gnostic works of the early Church Fathers ensured that the Gnostics were remembered as heretics, not as an unusual brand of early Christians."
"It is to this period that hte Foundation of the modern Gnostic Churches belongs, but the roots of the revival were a little earlier and were connected with Templarism. Modern Gnostic organizations are surprisingly churchy in their activities, language and construction, and many of them borrow from Roman Catholic practice."
"During the Enlightenment in the eighteenth century, the Gnostics became associated with the Knights Templar as a Templar revival flourished under the influence of freemasonry." The person who wrote on the beginners is this dude: Peter Partner. (Late 18th century dev). There's this other dude "Friedrich Nicolai" who produced it.
I have no idea what I was expecting with it. It took me a bit took me a bit to realize the thrust of his argument begins with the idea that there was an event. His name was Jesus. And from that event there were the Gnostics, the Current Catholic Christian that we know, and then a bunch of others. Most of the others didn't make it. Gnostics kinda made it and because (last chapter) they hooked up with the Templars, they are kinda intriguingly popular.
In between however, are a lot of things we think are gnostic.
Nag Hammadi codices were discovered in 1945. (The thing that really opened up gnostic knowledge).
"a codex is a manuscript book copied by hand before the invention of printing, but bound in essentially the same way as the modern book."
"Many of the Gnostic dialogues between Jesus and his disciples are post- resurrection, emphasizing that it is not one's early contact with Jesus that is important, but one's own direct relationship to light."
End of Chapter 3:
The ignorant, arrogant demiurge is concerned with maintaining this material world. In this light, the elaborate, extravagant myths of the Gnostics are suddenly seen to be immediately relevant to the human condition. Perhaps the classic Gnostic myth were not evidence of a world-hating mentality, as so many enemies of the Gnostics have claimed, but represent a penetrating insight into human psychology.
Ch 4:
There are 2 interpretations that differentiate the Gnostics from Christians as relates to JC. Option 1
"One, which is more Valentinian, emphasizes resurrection as a spiritual resurrection, based strongly on an interpretation of Paul. Thus, resurrection may be experienced in this life, as the Gospel of Philip 19 puts it: "Those who say that the Lord first died and then arose are confused, for he first arose then died. Anyone who first acquires the resurrection shall not die."
Option 2 is that JC never had a physical body. The Crucifixion is an allegory of a story. I can see how that would really piss the Christians off.
Ch 7:
It was perhaps the lack of dogma and the low degree of organization and political power in Gnostic groups that prevent them from spreading widely and becoming a large scale religion.
Ch 8:
"Neoplatonism had many overlaps with Gnostic thought, not least in that it stressed the importance of personal spiritual experience. 'The novice must hold himself constantly under some image of the Divine Being and seek in the light of a clear conception; knowing thus, in a deep conviction, whither he is going into what a sublimity he penetrates - he must give himself forthwith to the inner and, radiant with the Divine Intellections (with which he is now one), be no longer the seer."
He produced a teaching that acknowledged the ultimate aim of gnosis of the One but allowed the practitioner to partake of pagan ritual and magical practice. As such it became the dominant form of Neoplatonism.
Here he's talking about gnostics who had elements into the Muslim religion.
The Druze are divided into two castes: a secular caste, who are called 'the ignorant', and a religious caste called 'the knowers' or Gnostics. Their cosmology is emanations and they believe in reincarnation. Their use of the Qur'an involves some esoteric interpretation.
Chap 9th: Here he talks about the Cathers as surviving Gnostics. They were not popular and they put them in jail to kill them. But then the Cathers would go to great lengths to administer last rights.
CH 10: The Mandaeans These dudes believed in a reincarnation like approach with 8 spheres associated with the seven classical planets and Ruh-a, which seek to detain the soul in purgatories. The typical Gnostic feature familiar as the ascent of the soul."
"The Mandaens were recognized as 'People of the Book' By the Muslims and they do indeed have a wealth of scripture." This book, Diwan Abathur, named the Third Life who weighs the soul.
Ch 11: "The anti-Gnostic works of the early Church Fathers ensured that the Gnostics were remembered as heretics, not as an unusual brand of early Christians."
"It is to this period that hte Foundation of the modern Gnostic Churches belongs, but the roots of the revival were a little earlier and were connected with Templarism. Modern Gnostic organizations are surprisingly churchy in their activities, language and construction, and many of them borrow from Roman Catholic practice."
"During the Enlightenment in the eighteenth century, the Gnostics became associated with the Knights Templar as a Templar revival flourished under the influence of freemasonry." The person who wrote on the beginners is this dude: Peter Partner. (Late 18th century dev). There's this other dude "Friedrich Nicolai" who produced it.
January 1, 2024
This book has over 100 references. Many of my questions were answered, but of course, new questions, more precisely, now exist. This book will provide a basic background on a subject largely hidden due to orthodoxy.
January 3, 2018
Start date is incorrect, I have no idea when I began reading it. The book is quite interesting — many things that I'll come back to. Funny at times. I have no knowledge of how well it is sourced or how the academic work is. A decent book.
February 14, 2021
I actually enjoyed this book, well researched and summarised, I found it difficult to put down.
Thank you to the author for clarifying information I have come across but haven’t fully understood in context.
Thank you to the author for clarifying information I have come across but haven’t fully understood in context.
December 30, 2024
An excellent (yet simple) introduction to Gnosticism, focusing on all the nice, little, fun, and weird sects (yes, I’m being overly simplistic). The last part, trying to show Gnostic influences in today’s culture, is boring and out of place. Everything else is pretty good.
May 20, 2020
This book was a very good introduction to the History of Gnosticism. Its notes & references are really good & can aid anyone to know more about Gnosticism.
February 12, 2025
So interesting to this old history buff.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews