Gnostic History

An extensive examination of the history of gnosticism and how its philosophy has influenced the Western esoteric tradition Explains how the Gnostic understanding of self-realization is embodied in the esoteric traditions of the Rosicrucians and Freemasons Explores how gnosticism...

The success of books such as Elaine Pagels's Gnostic Gospels and Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code proves beyond a doubt that there is a tremendous thirst today for finding the hidden truths of Christianity - truths that may have been lost or buried by institutional religion over the last two millennia. In Forbidden Faith, Richard Smoley narrates a popular history of one such truth, the ancient esoteric religion of gnosticism, which flourished between the first and fourth centuries AD, but whose legacy remains even today, having survived secretly throughout the ages. 

NEWLY REVISED AND EXPANDED: Now with 29 complete texts and updated scholarship. In 1945, a farmer in Upper Egypt cracked open a sealed clay jar and found thirteen codices buried since 367 CE. Inside were gospels, cosmologies, hymns, and visions from a rival Christianity so sophisticated it nearly won. For a thousand years, everything we knew about these texts came from the people who destroyed them. Now you can read them yourself. Twenty-nine texts in clear, modern English. No archaic phrasing. No dense scholarly apparatus. Just the words, made readable. The Gospels: The Gospel of Thomas (...

Gnosticism Explained: Ancient Secret Knowledge, The Gnostic Gospels, Dualism, Sophia, the Demiurge, and the Quest for Spiritual Awakening in Early Christianity What was Gnosticism, and why was it considered one of the most controversial movements in early Christian history? Gnosticism Explained takes readers deep into the hidden world of ancient secret knowledge, exploring the Gnostic gospels, the myth of Sophia, the mysterious Demiurge, and the radical idea that salvation comes through inner awakening rather than external authority. Drawing on historical research and the groundbreaking ...

Based on Christianity's Gnostic foundations and the lost secret teachings of Jesus, this book is a thought-provoking conjecture on ways to manifest the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth -- an inspirational reminder of what Christianity was intended to be.

Jesus of Nazareth wrote nothing. No letter, no saying in his own hand, not a single line. The most consequential life in Western history left, from the man himself, not one word — and everything we think we know about him comes to us through others: through Paul, who barely mentions his life; through four anonymous Gospels written decades later, in a language he did not speak, that disagree on the most basic facts; through the heretics who were silenced and the councils that voted on his nature. This book is about that gap — and why two thousand years of searching have never closed it. ...

The Gnostic Gospels provides engaging listening for those seeking a broader perspective on the early development of Christianity. Author and noted scholar Elaine Pagels suggests that Christianity could have developed quite differently if Gnostic texts had become part of the Christian canon...

The evolution of the Sacred Worship of Sophia, Mary Magdalene, and Mother Mary are traced through the Gnostic Scriptures. Sophia would come to be considered a force or conduit of the Holy Spirit, in part due to the fact that the Holy Spirit was also considered a feminine and creative force from the Supreme God. As the emerging orthodox church became more and more oppressive to women, later even labeling them "occasions of sin", the Gnostics countered by raising women to equal status.

In December 1945, a farmer in Upper Egypt smashed open a buried jar and found thirteen leather-bound books that had been hidden for over a thousand years. The Nag Hammadi library — as it came to be known — contained fifty-two texts from an ancient tradition that mainstream Christianity had done its best to erase: the Gnostics. For most of history, Gnosticism was known only through the writings of its enemies. The Church Fathers described it as bizarre, dangerous, and heretical. They were not neutral reporters. The Nag Hammadi discovery let the Gnostics speak for themselves for the first...

What if the deepest mystery of the crucifixion is not why Jesus died—but what the powers of this world were actually capable of killing? For nearly two thousand years, the cross has stood at the center of Christianity. Yet within the forgotten currents of early Christian thought, another interpretation survived—one in which Jeshua was not merely a sacrifice for human sin, but a revealer who exposed the blindness of the rulers, awakened the divine spark, and pointed humanity back toward a Source beyond fear, domination, and death. The Jesus Who Suffered and the Christ Who Was Never Born ...

Many things about the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus have been removed from modern preaching. It is such a shame. I don’t know if it is because preachers don’t know what to say, but in many ways the limitations of the Secrets of Jesus are simply hidden because some don’t like what he suggested and that is criminal. If you do read this book you will expand your awareness of Jesus and some of the questions you will have trying to reconcile what you read will be answered. This will be done by looking at many additional works that have cycled from being in the Bible and out of ...

Gnosis is not a bundle of hidden secrets that must be studied and understood to gain redemption. Simply put, gnosis is the realization that we come from above, and that our Father is in Heaven, and to Heaven we shall return. That’s all. Gnosis involves stepping down from the throne of ego to better reveal the Light of God. You cannot be taught gnosis; you must discover it for yourself. So, even though gnosis cannot be taught, this book will explain, in pictures and the simplest possible terms, how to reach it. This is truly gnosis demystified for your edification. This book presents an ...

Follow author Joseph Lumpkin in his dive into Gnosticism. As a follow-up to his book "Tour of Gnosticism," where gnostic cosmology is explored in conjunction with mainstream Christendom, Lumpkin has released this jaw-dropping volume of influential Gnostic texts. Lumpkin takes it a step further by coupling the text with lessons on common themes in Gnosticism, historical context for the texts, and expert commentary exploring the differences in the largest gnostic sects.

Unlock the Mysteries of Gnosticism with Carl Spartacus! Dive into the profound wisdom of Gnosticism and embark on a journey of enlightenment with "Gnosticism: A Useful Overview for Dilettantes, New-Agers, Witches, and Magicians" by the renowned author, Carl Spartacus. Here's a glimpse of what's waiting for you within the pages: **Discover the Gnostic Origins:** Journey back in time to uncover who the Gnostics were and when and where their spiritual movement first emerged. **The Nag Hammadi Library:** Delve into the treasures of the Nag Hammadi Library, where ancient Gnostic texts were ...

A new translation and analysis of the gospel that records the actual words of Jesus Explores the gnostic significance of Jesus's teachings recorded in this gospel Explains the true nature of the new man whose coming Jesus envisioned Translated and interpreted by the author of the...

Few thinkers in Christian history have shaped the foundation of belief as powerfully—and as quietly—as Saint Irenaeus. At a time when the early Church faced confusion, division, and the allure of secret teachings, he emerged as the steady voice who restored confidence in the apostolic story. This book brings his wisdom within reach for readers who want clarity, depth, and spiritual grounding without being buried in academic language. From his decisive stand against Gnostic speculation to his luminous vision of humanity’s journey toward maturity, Irenaeus offers a perspective that ...

Unlock the secrets of mystical wisdom in just a few minutes a day, even if you've never ventured into the mystical realm before! Are you longing to explore a deeper spiritual understanding but feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of information available? Have you ever wondered how to incorporate mystical practices into your busy life without feeling disconnected from the modern world? Do you crave a balance between mystical insights and scientific understanding? If these questions resonate with you, you're certainly not alone. Many spiritual seekers and intellectual explorers like yourself ...

Although all the titles of the Nag Hammadi library are not known, many people have heard about its most famous components: The Gospel of Thomas - at one time it was discussed whether it should be included in the New Testament - and The Gospel of Philip, which tried to revive the debate around the identity of Mary Magdalene: "Why do you love her more than all of us?" asks a disconcerted Peter to Jesus. Finally, the Nag Hammadi texts have led many scholars to reconsider the rigid canons imposed by the early Church, and the readers to find a more intimate religion that turned upside down many postulates of Christian orthodoxy.

This is the incredible story of a 2000 year old secret war against Christianity. The story of a very ancient cult that pretends to be brand new. A cult with no name that has called itself by many names. A cult that worships evolution and revolution. Fabian playwright George Bernard Shaw was one of its most fanatical devotees! This explosive book reveals the startling fact that George Bernard Shaw was a Bogomil. The Bogomils were a Christian heresy of the Middle Ages. Also known as the Cathars. Gnostics who disguised themselves as Christians. A death cult that believed getting married and ...

The Gospel of Thomas – A Modern Translation of the Sayings Gospel from Early Christianity Discover the words attributed to Jesus that nearly disappeared from history. The Gospel of Thomas is one of the most intriguing early Christian texts ever discovered. Found in 1945 among the Nag Hammadi manuscripts in Egypt, this collection of 114 sayings presents a voice of Jesus that is at once familiar and strikingly different. Some sayings closely parallel the canonical Gospels. Others explore mystical themes of self-knowledge, inner transformation, and the kingdom within. Yet most editions ...