The Secret Book of John: The Gnostic Gospel Annotated & Explained

by Stevan L. Davies (Translator)

This ancient Gnostic text can be a companion for your own spiritual quest

The Secret Book of John is the most significant and influential text of the ancient Gnostic religion. Part of the library of books found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945, this central myth of Gnosticism tells the story of how God fell from perfect Oneness to imprisonment in the material world, and how by knowing our divine nature and our divine origins that we are one with God we reverse God's descent and find our salvation.

The Secret Book of John: The Gnostic Gospel Annotated & Explained decodes the principal themes, historical foundation, and spiritual contexts of this challenging yet fundamental Gnostic teaching. Drawing connections to Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, kabbalistic Judaism, and Sufism, Davies focuses on the mythology and psychology of the Gnostic religious quest. He illuminates the Gnostics' ardent call for self-awareness and introspection, and the empowering message that divine wholeness will be restored not by worshiping false gods in an illusory material world but by our recognition of the inherent divinity within ourselves.

Now you can experience and understand this foundational teaching even if you have no previous knowledge of Gnosticism. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents the most important and valued book in Gnostic religion with insightful yet unobtrusive commentary. It provides deeper insight into the understanding that in Gnosticism the distinction between savior and saved ceases to exist you must save yourself and in doing so save God."

Genres: Gnosticism, Religion, Philosophy, Spirituality, Psychology, Christianity, Esoterica

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tory S. Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read displaying the complex ideas of the Gnostic philosophy, making it probably as approachable as anything can. The Gnostic faith is complex and very different from most mythologies you've heard. of particular interest to me was the approach it takes to the creation--asserting a spiritual creation before the physical, the divine spark in all humans, the eternal nature of companions, etc. it also turns the creation of Genesis on its head, keeping the events but reversing the roles. The "devil" is the creator and Jesus the serpent!

Gnosticism as presented here has fascinating ideas and, in some ways, great explanatory power. By comparison to mythologies you are more familiar with, about impassioned superheroes, for instance, Gnosticism is complex and rich.

A failing I did pick up in this book was that the commentary acts under the assumption that Gnosticism is one unified religion with a consider set of doctrines. This is misleading, since Gnosticism is extremely varied. In terms of reconciling the explanatory power of the Gnostic interpretations with my own Christian faith, there are two possibilities: Gnosticism had some deep truths that clear up biblical confusion, or Gnosticism has been so closely intertwined with Christian history that it was able to insert itself into the biblical texts and cause the problems it solves.

In any case, this book and the philosophies it introduces are fascinating and, in my mind, worth the reading. Complex, different, yet relevant, I recommend The Secret Gospel of John.

[Ikram Jabur]

Hi

I just finished The Secret book of John. I was so interested that I took time off all my commitments to finish it in a couple days. I was so familiar with most of the ideas of the gnostic religion. It was clear that Mr. Steve Davies never heard of an old Gnostic religion in the middle east called THE MANDAEAN SABIEAN the followers of john the paptist. the idea in this book is exactly what our religion teach us. We have now communities all over the world. unfortunately we are grow up as non religous people, still don't know much about our religion.Our holly book called GANZA RABA which means the treasure of god.It's written in mandaean language which is the sister to aramian language.we have many religion's books. Please please can any body pass this message to Mr. davies...as he ignores completely our religion, and may he never heard of it.

Regards

Ikram

[Stosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a trip for a Christian.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Book of John
The First Gnostic Church of Christ
Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzBAL...

[Logan Drandorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Lloyd Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clearly written introduction to Gnosticism, which is the faith that lost out to Christianity and Judaism two thousand years ago. I wanted to learn more about the Gnosis and this present the ‘book of John’ with side by side commentary as the origin of the universe, God, and everything else after are explained. In short the Gnostics were a groovy bunch of unique groups that got down with real trippy, yet psychological poignant religious theories. The point is to return to the pure light of God, or Monad, up past the corrupt spheres we are in now by learning and studying divine knowledge.

[Zach Irvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my gnostic arc. Here’s some Christian mythology. Jesus coming back to give us the low down on the what really happened when the world was created (spoiler alert: the god of the Bible is not as benevolent as people think)

Good annotations that were helpful with context.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for people who want to understand the secret book of John and has some great insight into life and its true meaning.

[Brian Van Cleave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great translation and notes... But wow, this story is quite the ride. A whole mythology of the origin of mankind condensed down to about 100 pages makes for a very dense read. Not for everyone, but if you do opt to dive in, be ready for a Google search every other page. Exhaustingly interesting.

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like Greeks trying to retell the creation story with biblical imagery. Not an unenjoyable read though.

[Mamanoley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a few lost gospels and Davies’ translation of this text is profoundly impactful through the gnostic philosophy lens. Far more than I expected from this text!

[Julie!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of beautiful

[Iwan Bran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent annotations to help with understanding the meaning of this Gnostic Text.

[Sebastian Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my first gnostic text, it was essential in understanding the main repeated concepts throughout the belief. The translation makes an already hard to understand story a bit more easy to digest. Seeing the themes of Sophia be repeated through other text goes to show how influential the gnostic myth is.

[Timothy Morrison]

Gnostic wisdom of Nullo Space and Lovecraft's garden of Eden

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes way more sense than your traditional bible story. Gnosticism is the way. Actually beautiful.