Gnostics

by Tobias Churton

. 1987, bright clean copy, clean copy, no markings, light toning to pages, Professional booksellers since 1981

Genres: Religion, History, Philosophy, Gnosticism, Christianity, Nonfiction, Theology

1000 pages, Textbook Binding

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Tobias Churton is a filmmaker and the founding editor of the magazine "Freemasonry Today". He studied theology at Oxford University and created the award-winning documentary series and accompanying book The Gnostics, as well as several other films on Christian doctrine, mysticism, and magical folklore, such as "A Mighty Good Man" (2002), a documentary on Elias Ashmole, his religious ideas and Masonic initiation in 1646. He is currently a lecturer on Freemasonry at the Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism, Exeter University. He lives in England.

Reviews

[Kaberoi Rua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the Nag Hammadi find, conversations with Hans Jonas, Alexandria Egypt, The Valentinian System, the Cathars of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Dignity of Man by Pico Della Mirandola, the writings Giordano Bruno, the Gnostic poet William Blake, the Rosicrucians, and Hermetic Philosophy. Overall, this was a good book, not my favorite book on the gnostics but a nice addition to your Gnostic library. Tobias Churton did a fantastic job connecting all these subjects and writers to Gnosticism. I enjoyed how the author kept a rather neutral position on the subject as well. 

[Chris Healey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This introduction to the history & philosophy of Gnosticism was published to accompany a channel 4 series broadcast in the 80’s. Consequently the tone is documentary & comprehensive, but never feels dry as the authors enthusiasm for the subject is apparent throughout. Theres plenty of routes for further reading presented amongst the various sections, I was particularly interested in the section about Giordano Bruno, a character I previously only had a sketch of after seeing his statue in Rome. The choice to conclude with a chapter about Blake was good & finished the book on a positive & very relevant note. I was surprised to find that this was written by the author when he was in his 20’s. It’d be interesting to see what he’s done since.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, published in 1987, is a non-fiction companion book to a television series broadcast on British Television. It is an overview of the whole Gnostic tradition, and I think it covers the ground quite well. I very much enjoyed reading this book.

In 1945 several ancient books (Codixes) were found buried in a jar in Upper Egypt. These codixes (each one containing several books, in complete or fragmentary form) all were works of Christian and non or pre Christian Gnostic thought; it appears that they were buried at the end of the fourth century, when the local bishop issued an edict forbidding the possession of non-Christian approved books. Christian Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the demiurge, and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit. Gnosticism is also a belief system for the self-professed elite; you cannot attain to the heights of Gnosticism unless you have knowledge that is not known by mere mortals.

The author of this book reviews the thought of the ancient Gnostics, then moves to the medieval Cathars (who had Gnostic tendencies, and were virulently persecuted by Holy Mother Church). In the Age of Enlightenment the Rosicrucianism movement began, which may or may not have anything to do with Freemasonry (although several historic Masons were solidly in the Rosicrucianism camp). The book then gives extensive space to the poet William Blake (who was known to see trees full of angels); Blake was convinced that this world was illusion, and what mattered was the real world, the one that could only be seen by those who had the proper knowledge. Blake also revolted against a materialistic view of the world, which in its logical extreme had no use for any spiritual agency (i.e., all that matters is matter). 

This was a fascinating book to read, and I am happy to have read it.

[Jack Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more from this book. Though I might be being unfair, given its being released prior to the Iscariot gospel dropping. But he talked for about 5 minutes about the actually gnostics and their beliefs (Sophia, Yaldabaoth, the Father, Christ - you know - the crew), err I don't know what they thought, come in here let's talk about the Cathars and some 16th century ludibrium, meh... interesting tbf but I just wanted some gnostic creation myths in my mouth. Interesting section on Blake though, whom I must read.

Feed me my mints, boy.

[Mark Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty esoteric, so if you know it, you don't speak it. Blows established Christianity out of the water.

[Kev Nickells · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent and scholarly take on the Gnostics coming from a time ('87) when Gnosticism was not very well-served in writing. Whether it is in 2025 is up for debate.

I'd make a note of caution - this is a book with a fairly specific design and aim. It's largely historiographical rather than theological, which is to say, it plots a definite continuity of Gnostic notions throughout history but it does not engage extensively with Theology per se. It's eminently readable and definitely a great first stop to orient yourself towards what Gnosticism is and how its ideas have travelled through different Christian currents. There's plenty to paint Gnosticism as a form of Platonism that fell out of favour with the church in general and a decent amount of the heresiology which led to (particularly) Catholicism writing out its notions.

What is a little thin on the ground is the sense that Gnosticism was one of many currents prior to the codification of Catholicism - so we get a discussion on heresiology but little on the Nicene Creed or the other events which came to define Christianity and the books of the Bible. I might worry that someone who's reading this may be at a loss to understand how that codification came about, though I imagine the number of people reading a book from 87 about Gnosticism would be unaware is entirely marginal.

There's plenty to bring Gnosticism into view as a living tradition - particularly (and inevitably) with the frequent allusions to William Blake. This book accompanies a TV show so while it's certainly thoroughly researched, it's not written like an academic tome.

Broadly speaking I'd recommend this book for an overview of the Gnostics as a current throughout European history. I'd probably recommend another book if you're looking for something to edify your inmost light and commune with the archons though.

[Richard Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early work about the Gnostics and a valuable introduction.

[Mckenzie Ragan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Greg Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Completely over my head...

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best and most basic introduction I have yet found. While other introductions have given a more comprehensive view from one perspective or another, Churton offers the most relevant to non-scholar/non-practitioner. It is accessible, comprehensive, entertaining and original. It is not burdened with an overabundance of academic scholarship, historical research, or philosophical analysis. Rather it provides a very clear picture of the Gnostic religion.

[Jenny Moench · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me it was very informational, not too long, many referances to other texts that I'm familiar with, maybe it would help it you read some of the Nag Hammadi books first. My question was if Jesus was a student of this movement, or if the Gnostics came into being after Jesus.

[Bryan Cebulski]

Lots of interesting material, but more of a supplement than an introduction. It covers a huge timeline in only about 160 pages, which means lots of jumping around. Doesn't feel quite cohesive enough in the end.

[John Caris · Rating 5 out of 5]

thoughtful, scholarly presentation of
gnosticism.

[Stefan Vucak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A revealing and thought-provoking read about early Christianity that Vatican doesn't want you to know.

[Victor Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you think you know anything about the gnostics them, you need to read this book.

[Ben Pearman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mildly interesting read on Christian history you won’t learn about in Sunday school.