The Esoteric Teachings of the Gnostics

The Esoteric Teachings of the Gnostics PDF Author: Frances Swiney
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781910121740
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 86

Get Book

Book Description
Though Gnosticism long preceded Christianity, the Gnostics were the first Christians; they accepted Christ in the full realization of the word; his life, not his death, was the keynote of their doctrine and their practice. Thousands of years before the Egyptian Seers prognosticated the spiritual evolution of the soul in the seven stages of probation in the life beyond the grave. They conceived of a mystical Christos, a divine type of character that could only be attained through the soul's conflict with evil in the spiritual spheres of nebulous idealism. The Gnostics welded the ancient mythos into mundane practicability. They recognized the divine nature of the Universe, the eternal progression of all things, and of the human in particular. Therefore, it is easily conceivable that they were misunderstood, maligned and discredited by the crude primitive minds of the Goth, the Vandal and the Hun, who had drunk too deeply of the draught of oblivion to remember their former phases of existence. ..".Swiney has much in common with modern scholars like Elaine Pagels or Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza, who attempt to restore the lost voices of the women of early Christianity... The Esoteric Teachings of the Gnostics is an important book." by Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History, Baylor University."

The Esoteric Teachings of the Gnostics

The Esoteric Teachings of the Gnostics PDF Author: Frances Swiney
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781910121740
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 86

Get Book

Book Description
Though Gnosticism long preceded Christianity, the Gnostics were the first Christians; they accepted Christ in the full realization of the word; his life, not his death, was the keynote of their doctrine and their practice. Thousands of years before the Egyptian Seers prognosticated the spiritual evolution of the soul in the seven stages of probation in the life beyond the grave. They conceived of a mystical Christos, a divine type of character that could only be attained through the soul's conflict with evil in the spiritual spheres of nebulous idealism. The Gnostics welded the ancient mythos into mundane practicability. They recognized the divine nature of the Universe, the eternal progression of all things, and of the human in particular. Therefore, it is easily conceivable that they were misunderstood, maligned and discredited by the crude primitive minds of the Goth, the Vandal and the Hun, who had drunk too deeply of the draught of oblivion to remember their former phases of existence. ..".Swiney has much in common with modern scholars like Elaine Pagels or Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza, who attempt to restore the lost voices of the women of early Christianity... The Esoteric Teachings of the Gnostics is an important book." by Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History, Baylor University."

The Esoteric Teaching of the Gnostics

The Esoteric Teaching of the Gnostics PDF Author: Frances Swiney
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gnosticism
Languages : en
Pages : 87

Get Book

Book Description


The Gnostic Gospels

The Gnostic Gospels PDF Author: Elaine Pagels
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1588364178
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 281

Get Book

Book Description
Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time The Gnostic Gospels is a landmark study of the long-buried roots of Christianity, a work of luminous scholarship and wide popular appeal. First published in 1979 to critical acclaim, winning the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, The Gnostic Gospels has continued to grow in reputation and influence over the past two decades. It is now widely recognized as one of the most brilliant and accessible histories of early Christian spirituality published in our time. In 1945 an Egyptian peasant unearthed what proved to be the Gnostic Gospels, thirteen papyrus volumes that expounded a radically different view of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ from that of the New Testament. In this spellbinding book, renowned religious scholar Elaine Pagels elucidates the mysteries and meanings of these sacred texts both in the world of the first Christians and in the context of Christianity today. With insight and passion, Pagels explores a remarkable range of recently discovered gospels, including the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, to show how a variety of “Christianities” emerged at a time of extraordinary spiritual upheaval. Some Christians questioned the need for clergy and church doctrine, and taught that the divine could be discovered through spiritual search. Many others, like Buddhists and Hindus, sought enlightenment—and access to God—within. Such explorations raised questions: Was the resurrection to be understood symbolically and not literally? Was God to be envisioned only in masculine form, or feminine as well? Was martyrdom a necessary—or worthy—expression of faith? These early Christians dared to ask questions that orthodox Christians later suppressed—and their explorations led to profoundly different visions of Jesus and his message. Brilliant, provocative, and stunning in its implications, The Gnostic Gospels is a radical, eloquent reconsideration of the origins of the Christian faith.

The Wisdom of the Knowing Ones

The Wisdom of the Knowing Ones PDF Author: Manly Palmer Hall
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780893144272
Category : Gnosticism
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book

Book Description
This work covers the relationship of Gnostic mysticism to the inner teachingsof Plato; the insights of Valentinus, and others; magical meanings of talismanic gems; the spiritual glory of Alexandria and the Gnostic essence of the Christian message. Illustrated with Gnostic artifacts. This is a must for all those intrigued by this popular subject.

Esoteric Teaching in the Stromateis of Clement of Alexandria

Esoteric Teaching in the Stromateis of Clement of Alexandria PDF Author: Andrew Itter
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9047428285
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Get Book

Book Description
The Stromateis of Clement of Alexandria (c.150-215 CE) has received much scholarly debate over whether it can be accorded the role of the third and highest phase of his pedagogy. This was a treatise that promised an account of the true philosophy of Christ set down for Christians seeking higher knowledge of doctrine. This book takes a new approach to deciphering the nature and purpose of these enigmatic books concentrating on the close relationship between method and doctrine, and the number and sequence of the texts as they have come down to us. The outcome is a concise summary of current scholarship on Clement’s method and a fresh picture of how he applies it to the transmission of esoteric doctrines.

Hidden Wisdom

Hidden Wisdom PDF Author: Gedaliahu A. Guy Stroumsa
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004136355
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 230

Get Book

Book Description
This book investigates the problem of esoteric traditions in early Christianity, their origin and their transformation in Patristic hermeneutics, in the West as well as in the East. It argues that these traditions eventually formed the basis of nascent Christian mysticism in Late Antiquity. These esoteric traditions do not reflect the influence of Greek Mystery religions, as has often been claimed, but rather seem to stem from the Jewish background of Christianity. They were adopted by various Gnostic teachings, a fact which helps explaining their eventual disappearance from Patristic literature. The eleven chapters study each a different aspect of the problem, including the questions of Gnostic and Manichaean esotericism. This book will be of interest to all students of religious history in Late Antiquity. Revised and extended paperback edition. Originally published in 1996. Please click here for details.

Esoteric Christianity

Esoteric Christianity PDF Author: Annie Besant
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Christianity and other religions
Languages : en
Pages : 430

Get Book

Book Description


Gnosis: The esoteric cycle

Gnosis: The esoteric cycle PDF Author: Boris Mouravieff
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781872292120
Category : Gnosticism
Languages : en
Pages : 106

Get Book

Book Description
Volume 3 of Boris Mouravieff's Gnosis contains ancient keys to a tradition of Christian esotericism that was necessarily hermetized 1800 years ago and has since remained unpublished, surviving to the present only in unwritten form.

The Gnostic World

The Gnostic World PDF Author: Garry W. Trompf
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317201841
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 716

Get Book

Book Description
The Gnostic World is an outstanding guide to Gnosticism, written by a distinguished international team of experts to explore Gnostic movements from the distant past until today. These themes are examined across sixty-seven chapters in a variety of contexts, from the ancient pre-Christian to the contemporary. The volume considers the intersection of Gnosticism with Jewish, Christian, Islamic and Indic practices and beliefs, and also with new religious movements, such as Theosophy, Scientology, Western Sufism, and the Nation of Islam. This comprehensive handbook will be an invaluable resource for religious studies students, scholars, and researchers of Gnostic doctrine and history.

A Manual for the Gnostic

A Manual for the Gnostic PDF Author: L'Eglise Gnostique Apostolique Catholique de l'Amerique du Nord
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781976432743
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 170

Get Book

Book Description
A Manual for the Gnostic is a comprehensive resource on the creeds, doctrines, and sacraments of the French Gnostic Church, including rare historical texts which have never before been translated and compiled. This Manual provides many prayers and meditations suitable for Gnostics and mystically minded Christians. Included are instructions for finding one's Patron, Guiding, and Teaching Angels, rituals of spiritual protection, and techniques for enhancing the feeling of God's presence in one's life.