The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back: An Old Heresy for the New Age

by Peter R. Jones, Diaz Criss Jones

Shows how New Age trends like the rise of Eastern mysticism in the West, extreme environmentalism, homosexual advocacy, and militant feminism are actually the revival of an ancient heresy, Gnosticism.

Genres: Theology, Cultural, Philosophy, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

About the author

Peter Jones (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is the author of many books, including One or Two: Seeing a World of Difference, The God of Sex: How Spirituality Defines Your Sexuality, and The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back: An Old Heresy for the New Age. He is the executive director of truthXchange and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Todd Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not what I was hoping it would be. I was hoping it would address the "higher knowledge" idea that we see so often in pulpits today. It did not. I'm not saying the book was bad. I'm simply saying it didn't address head-on what I had hoped it would.

This book is more focused on the New Age. And, for that use, it is OK. It is dated, for sure. But then, it was written decades ago. Not the fault of the author. He couldn't see the future.

This book is OK. And some of the concerns the author had have certainly played out. May be worth your time. But there are probably better books on the subject of both the New Age and Gnosticism.

[Chuck Ransford · Rating 4 out of 5]

At short of 100 pages (with the endnotes excluded) I finished this little book in just one day. While some of the information is a little dated, Jones’ assessment of the New Age movement as neo-Gnosticism seems spot on.

[Roger Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, simple and to the point. This book packs a punch - clearly warning in 1992 about the fast-advancing re-paganization of the West.

It does suffers some inaccuracies in detail as the author clearly does not know the New Age movement firsthand. As a former New Ager and now a Christian convert, I couldn't help noticing these.

However, these are quibbles. The core of Jones' message is chillingly all too sound and very prescient. For anyone interested, however, in a firsthand New Age insider's account, I am going to place my own archive of posts about the New Age here: http://corjesusacratissimum.org/tag/n...

[Joseph McFatridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my second or third time reading this book, but it's been well over a decade since my last read. Back in Highschool I was (and still am) a huge Star Wars fan, and the title caught my eye, leading me to write a speech based on this work. Years later, however, I find the book significantly lacking.

First of all, a positive note. Throughout the work, Jones is clearly committed to Christian Orthodoxy , strongly urges his readers to follow the Christ of the four gospels, and attempts to thoughtfully examine the culture to better aid spiritual warfare. This final point is where Jones fails.

His examination of Gnosticism is decent but significantly lacking in areas. He accurately depicts the Gnostic view of dualism and Christ's lack of physical substance. His major oversight occurs with his examination of the Gnostic gender reversal. I've only dabbled in the Gnostic gospels and corresponding studies, but every source I've read or watched discussed the significance of Mary Magdalene as a vital figure. In some of these gospels, Mary Magdalene is portrayed as greater than Peter and (I think this is a later development) Christ's wife. I'm unsure why Jones would leave out such significant points even in a brief examination of Gnosticism.

Jones' other error lies in his attributing all societal shifts to Gnosticism, saying that "the New Age has a coherent agenda, orchestrated from a diabolical center." Such a statement is far too simplistic to analyze any culture in its entirety, much less twentieth century America. Some of his points were valid, examining how the Nag Hammadi manuscripts have influenced many theologians and churches. Most of his arguments were far less compelling. His statements pertaining to sexual issues and abortion were vaguely connected with his analysis of Gnostic gender views but felt stretched. Even if those statements are possibly correct, Jones fails to examine other worldviews or religions as the source. He mentions Hinduism and Buddhism a number of times but, for some reason, argues that the culture's fascination with them is due to Gnosticism. Yes, Gnosticism shares similarities with Eastern religions, but by no means should they be conflated.

Additionally, Jones very wrongly espouses Marxism as dead and defeated. Now, thirty years after the original printing of the book, Marxism (or at least Marxist theory pertaining to power struggles) is alive and well. In fact, a Marxist reading of many of the issues Jones attributes to Gnosticism is far more compelling.

[Phil Cotnoir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this on my dad's bookshelf. I've been meaning to read some Peter Jones for a long time. This may not be his best work.

Published in 1992, this book felt quite dated in some ways and surprisingly relevant in others. But the quality of the writing was not great - the tone was edging towards a screed at some points. And too many exclamation marks! Just write well, argue your point, and I'll get excited on my own terms. I did appreciate the substantive footnotes.

I enjoyed the historical exploration of and quotation from the ancient Gnostic texts. Indeed the parallels with all things New Age are many. But Jones' argument loses traction with me when he asserts that there is a global coherent conspiracy to use this neo-paganism to unite the world under a new world order and one world government.

So, to conclude... Some good in here, some solid thinking, even some prescient analysis. But many predictions have not come about, the tone tended to overheat, and so it's usefulness is limited.

[Richard Worden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The value of this book is its description of Gnosticism and the detailed notes to each chapter. The book is obviously an apologetic effort with the claim of relating Gnosticism to current New Ageism which is far from being clear. The author's agenda is his own conservative theology which he parades to discount any one and any ideas he dislikes.

[Brian Algie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jones book waste no time showing the many similarities between ancient Gnosticism and the present day New Age Movement. The concise book allows for a quick read and a wake up call that there is nothing new under the sun, and biblical truth and obedience to God’s truth are a must.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that all professing Christians should read, and certainly all ministers who profess to be Christian ministers.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few of the reviews I read on amazon were so annoying, I thought I'd chime in. Sure, if you are a Gnostic you probably don't agree with Peter Jones' judgments. But don't try to belittle his intelligence or his command of the subject matter. He has a Ph.D. from Princeton Seminary, he's been a theology porfessor for years, and he has written a number of books on the topic. He knows the arguments and counter-arguments. If you disagree, just say so, but don' make these silly attacks on Dr. Jones' competence. He's very sharp.
I found the book to be a good introduction to the topic. I used it in an adult c.e. setting at our church, where we spent 13 weeks with it. Most folks appreciated the book and were challenged by it. It helped us understand the appeal of a puzzling movement, and how a neo-pagan worldview hangs together coherently.

It is concise, rather than comprehensive. It does not explore all the varieties of the New Age movement. Its not intended to do that. But its well worth the investment of a few hours of redaing time and a few dollars.
I bought extra copies for friends and for the church library.

[Don Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of this book explains Gnosticism and its resurgence; the second half focuses on Gnosticism's connection to New Age religion and to alternative sexualities. I found the book disappointing: its explanation of Gnosticism is helpful but not very extensive or insightful; and it does an inadequate job of explaining the connection between Gnosticism and non-Christian sexuality paradigms. Inadequate to provide me with understanding, anyway. It's also extremely short, at just over 100 pages (not counting footnotes), and not very scholarly (though well-documented).

And to boot, it has a silly title. Star Wars references are not the way to impress this particular reader.

Not recommended, unless you want to go ahead with author Jones' related book, Spirit Wars. I didn't know until I finished this book that the two are part of a trilogy and, with Spirit Wars being much longer, The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back should probably be seen as the introductory volume. (I do not know whether Jones has ever written the third book.)

[Greg Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on both the New Age Movement and the ancient Gnostic cult. The author compares both movements and shows how the NAM is not unlike Gnosticism. In many ways, adherents of the NAM intentionally are reverting back to ancient Gnostic beliefs. This book opened my eyes to the dangers of New Age Aquarianism and how it is intentionally breaking down this country's Judeo-Christian structure and re-making it into a Satanic culture, masked by political correctness and "tolerance". The only qualm I have with this book is that it is dated, having been written in 1992. I would love to see a revised edition of this book.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers one of the more important theological topics of our times that is largely ignored by the Church. This is not an exhaustive academic work on the subject but rather an easy introduction that is concise and accessible to the general reader. It is prophetic in it's call to turn from the idolatry of Gnosticism and is a critical read in that it uncovers the hidden presence of this ancient spirituality in modern culture. I highly recommend.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jones argues that the current New Age movement is a resurrection of an ancient gnosticism. Interesting connections to environmentalism and feminism. A prophetic work. Part of my studies for an RTS John Frame course. Finished July 8/11.

[Kristine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the edition published in 1992.

[Christopher Desruisseau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched book showing how our culture has become gnostic.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful little Goodwill find. Author compares old Gnosticism with modern (1992) New Age philosophy promoted by both sixties revolutionaries and liberal New Testament scholars.