The Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Scriptures

by William Kingsland, Adrian Geoffrey Gilbert (Editor)

In a clear and logical manner this book reveals the hidden gnosis in Christianity and relates the Christian tradition to the much earlier mystery schools of Egypt and elsewhere. It will help readers get over any guilt feelings they may have about moving away from mainstream Christianity to pursue a more esoteric path. It will make clear many of the hidden meanings contained in the scriptures.

226 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Tony Sunderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published in 1936 amid the turbulent years following the Great depression and the rise of totalitarianism that bequeathed to us the Second World War. Author, William Kingsland makes a brave attempt to rescue what he terms the “secret gnosis” hidden in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. His primary argument is brutally simple but paradoxically requires the surrender of long held popular beliefs on Christian doctrine and dogma. Kingsland contends that two events from the biblical narrative are critical in the faith that became orthodox Christianity: the story told in the book of Genesis and the events surrounding the death/resurrection of Jesus Christ. Either we take them at literally or they are allegories and metaphors that can reveal hidden truths (inner gnosis) about the true nature and destiny of humanity. This book is his testament to the later.

Genesis describes humanities spiritual descent (fall) into “physical matter” and the imprisonment of earthly existence. Conversely, Christ’s death is a metaphor for the crucifixion of his lower “material nature”. His resurrection represents the triumph of the spirit and the release of the true divine nature that exists within everyone. Whether this physical event actually occurred is not relevant to Kingsland, he is only concerned with the deeper “spiritual” message embedded in the narrative. Kingsland argues further that the works of St Paul and the Gospel of John are documents that reveal secret gnosis rather than literal truth. Obviously influenced by Neo Platonism, he also contends that unless a person embraces their own spiritual (divine) nature they are doomed to be reincarnated into the lower material realm of earthly existence. Kingsland also incorporates many Eastern traditions such as the Bhagavad Gita, the teachings of Buddhism and even the Egyptian book of the Dead as documents that detail an ancient mystery tradition that has been selectively passed down from master to initiate.
I liked this book because the author has made a genuine attempt to reconcile the common sparks of spirituality that exists in many faith traditions. He condemns the manmade constructions of organised religion as control mechanisms that obscure the divine nature (Christ) that exists in everyone. Each person’s spiritual journey is ultimately taken alone. The gaining of gnosis is a deliberate and personal choice for illumination over blind faith.