Wisdom's Book: The Sophia Anthology

by Arthur Versluis

Wisdom's The Sophia Anthology is a remarkable collection of rare texts that reveal what we well may call the Nag Hammadi Library of modern times. For there is a virtually unknown spiritual Sophianic tradition that has developed since the seventeenth century and that still exists today. Non-sectarian, often suppressed, this lay mystical tradition is the Christian equivalent of Sufism in Islam, and of Kabbalah in Judaism. Wisdom's Book reveals for the first time in a single volume the texts of this rare tradition, many of which have never before been published. This is the theosophic tradition of Jacob Bohme, and all the main figures of the tradition are represented here, including many never before published. Wisdom's Book is a treasure trove of Western esoteric writings, and will be of great interest to a wide range of readers interested in unveiling and understanding this hitherto hidden tradition of Christian spirituality.

Genres: Theology

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Arthur Versluis, Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University, holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has published numerous books and articles.

Among his many books are Platonic Mysticism (SUNY Press 2017), American Gurus (Oxford UP, 2014), Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esotericism (Rowman Littlefield, 2007), The New Inquisitions: Heretic-hunting and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Totalitarianism (Oxford UP, 2006), Restoring Paradise: Esoteric Transmission through Literature and Art (SUNY: 2004); The Esoteric Origins of the American Renaissance (Oxford UP: 2001); Wisdom’s Book: The Sophia Anthology, (Paragon House, 2000); Island Farm (MSU Press, 2000); Wisdom’s Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition (SUNY: 1999); and American Transcendentalism and Asian Religions (Oxford UP, 1993).

His family has owned a commercial farm in West Michigan for several generations, and so he also published a book called Island Farm about the family farm, and about family farming in the modern era.

Versluis was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to Germany, and is the editor of JSR: Journal for the Study of Radicalism. He is the founding president of Hieros, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on spirituality and cultural renewal.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the content of some of these clippings from books and journals of different mystics and Sophia related authors, this would be a 3 star, as they are of uneven quality - some very difficult to get anything from, whilest other real gems with lot of good information that is clearly understood. But, because this is a collection with a lot of new translations by Versluis - it is worth so much more. It gives a glimpse into a tradition often overlooked by Chrisitians and still on the fringes. So, I am very glad I read this one because its total value is great. I do think that maybe there is much uneccessary and that the some of the authors probably have more substantial parts of their writings than given here, but I have to trust that a good selection is presented here - together with a introduction to each that gives the setting and the why.