Gnosis and Faith in Early Christianity: An Introduction to GnosticismThis book, by a brilliant young Dutch scholar, provides an attractive and up-to-date introduction to gnosticism as it relates to early Christianity. 'I have aimed to write as a detective, ' the author remarks, 'trying to make the reader familiar with the themes and the ingredients of gnosticism without going directly into where all these themes come from. In that way I hope to arouse the reader's curiosity: there is always more to discover. By concentrating on a selection of gnostic texts I hope to provide equipment for dealing with others which are not discussed in this book.' Part One provides a general orientation on gnosticism; then Part Two goes into the religious and philosophical background to gnosticism. Part Three then brings together the texts discussed so far and contains a more detailed discussion of gnosis, gnosticism and gnostics. The field of investigation broadens out here, and Part Four concludes the book by examining the relationship between Catholic Christianity and gnosticism. Riemer Roukema is a lecturer in New Testament in the Theological University of Kampen, The Netherlands |
Contents
Irenaeus on the origin of the heresies | 13 |
A sermon from the Nag Hammadi books | 26 |
Refinements of the gnostic myth | 32 |
Copyright | |
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According Adam Adonaios aeons Alcinous apostle appears archons Basilides body Book of John called gnostic catholic Christians Cerinthus Chapter Christian faith church fathers Clement of Alexandria Coptic created the world creation discussed divine early Christianity earth earthly Eloim Epiphanius evil Exegesis gnosis gnostic gnostic myths God's gods Gospel of Philip Gospel of Thomas Greek heaven heavenly Hebrew Hellenistic Heresies heretical highest Hippolytus holy Spirit human humankind insight interpretation Irenaeus Jesus Christ Jewish Jews large number lived Lord lower Creator Marcion means Menander mention Middle Platonism Moses Mother myth of Simon Nag Hammadi Codex Numenius Old Testament Ophites origin Panarion passwords Philo philosophy Plutarch Ptolemaeus questions Redeemer redemption religion Satornilus says second century Secret Book Septuagint Simon and Helen Simon the Magician Simonians Sophia soul Stromateis teaching terms gnosis Tertullian texts Theodotus thought Timaeus tion tradition translation true knowledge Valentinians Valentinus Wisdom words writings Yaldabaoth