Jung and the Lost Gospels: Insights into the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library

by Stephan A. Hoeller, June Singer (Foreword)

The "Lost Gospels" refer to the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library, both discovered in the 1940s. The Nag Hammadi Library consists of writings found by two peasants who unearthed clay jars in 1945 in upper Egypt. These did not appear in English for 32 years, because the right to publish was contended by scholars, politicians, and antique dealers. The Dead Sea Scrolls , discovered in clay jars in Palestine by a goat herder in 1947, weathered similar storms. The first team of analysts were mostly Christian clergy, who weren't anxious to share material that frightened church leaders. As Dr. Hoeller shows, they rightly feared the documents would reveal information that might detract from unique claims of Christianity. Indeed, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Nag Hammadi Library both contradict and complement accepted tenets of the Old and New Testaments. As to the connection with Jung, Dr. Hoeller states, "Jung knew that the one and only tradition associated with Christianity that regarded the human psyche as the container of the divine-human encounter was that of the Gnostics of the the first three centuries of our era. For this reason he called for a renewed appreciation of this ancient tradition, and particularly for a return to the Gnostic sense of God as an inner directing and transforming presence." Dr. Hoeller goes on in his preface, "His sympathetic insight into the myths, symbols, and metaphors of the Gnostics, whom by his own admission he regarded as long-lost friends, continues as the brightest beacon of our day..." Chapters include such topics as Saintly The People of the Scrolls, The Dancing The Myth of the Gnostic Christ and The Secret Sayings of The Gospel of Thomas. The book also includes a thorough notes section as well as an index.

Genres: Psychology, Gnosticism, Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Mythology

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having done substantial academic study of 'gnosticism' and C.G. Jung in both college and seminary, the former being the topic of the undergraduate, the latter of the graduate thesis, I was naturally drawn to this title when espied in a local used bookstore. Sadly, its author, a theosophist, does credit to neither topic, this book being simply an attempt to drag some 'gnostic' texts onto the Procrustean bed of a rather uncritical appropriation of some of Jung's thinking. While the Dead Sea Scrolls are mentioned in the book's subtitle, they are actually not treated much at all.

[Marti Martinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must first admit I do not read Coptic.....nor Greek, nor Hebrew. I am taking it for granted that Hoeller is accurately reflecting the source texts on which he is expounding. The book is written well: crisply, cleanly, succinctly. It was actually given to me in 2006 by the Bishop of New Hampshire for the Liberal Catholic Church International. At that time I was a Cleric under the Bishop of New York and it made no sense. Now that I have viewed (numerous times!) the DVD lectures on the New Testament (and the Apostolic Fathers, and Alternative Christianities) by Prof. Bart Ehrman, the book is FAR more clear which makes the reading even better -- this second reading! I also have not read ALL of the translated source texts in the Nag Hammadi library: just sayin'.

The 2 most fascinting parts of this book are 1) the structure of gnostic vs mainstream religion (page 103), and 2) the gnostic mytho-history from creation to resurrection (page 141 to 147). With respect to number 1, he shows their structures:

Gnostic:
experience to myth to ritual to internalization and back to experience (circular and recurring)

Mainstream (orthodox):
experience to scripture to "dogma and commandment" and there it stops (linear and ending)

With respect to number 2, you must read it for yourselves. Really. Gotta get me some of that Gospel of Philip!

[Alford Wayman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the psychological aspects of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Gnostic texts. The History and epilogue were a little dry but the commentary on the selected texts were excellent. I will be able to read the texts with a better understanding from the Jungian point of view. It also makes one appreciate the metaphorical and psychological qualities to these ancient text in dealing with the self.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed. It was mainly stuff I had already learned and I wanted to learn something new.

[Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Essenes, a Gnostic Jewish sect (their collection of writings are the Dead Sea Scrolls), and Gnostic Christians (source of the Nag Hammadi Library), had the necessary truth that we need today to for our society to function. The ancient powers of orthodoxy mercilessly stamped them out centuries ago, dooming us all. These essential insights were then rediscovered by Carl Jung in a psychologized form.

The book goes on to quote different Gnostic writings and interprets them through a Jungian frame. It also contrasts this with orthodox dogma and its deficits.

The book is also sprinkled with occasional Theosophical references, which is a little confusing as I am not that familiar with Theosophy. It also has a very one-sided tone throughout, bordering on ranting at times.

I can’t help but feel the examples are a little cherry picked to suit the point being made, but overall I did enjoy it.

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essenes, mystics, origins of Christianity, but texts not adopted by New Testament and how
Jesus / christianity changed during different points in history.

[Maria Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro para comprender la base conceptual del agnosticismo

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for anyone interested in the roots of Biblical texts and what their origins mean. (oh, and all that other stuff that's missing)

[Bill White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent look at early Christianity and what was left out of the canonical Bible.

[Scott]

Eyes too big for my brain, didn't finish before I had to return to library... one day....