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.

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...

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. ...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Hidden for nearly two millennia, the Gnostic Gospels offer a radically different vision of Christ’s message—one centered not on blind faith, but on awakening, inner knowledge, and divine self-realization. This expanded edition brings together five of the most powerful non-canonical scriptures ever uncovered, offering sacred insight for seekers, scholars, and anyone drawn to the forgotten paths of early Christianity.

In Beyond Belief, renowned religion scholar Elaine Pagels continues her groundbreaking examination of the earliest Christian texts, arguing for an ongoing assessment of faith and a questioning of religious orthodoxy. Spurred on by personal tragedy and new scholarship from an international group...

What if everything you thought you knew about Christianity's origins was deliberately hidden for nearly 2,000 years? In 1896, a German scholar purchased an ancient papyrus in a Cairo marketplace that would shatter our understanding of early Christianity forever. This fragile document contained the Gospel of Mary Magdalene - a revolutionary text that reveals her not as the reformed prostitute of popular myth, but as Jesus's most trusted disciple and a powerful spiritual teacher who received special revelations even Peter didn't understand. The Magdalene Secret takes you on a fascinating ...

From Amoeba to Alien… your soul’s hidden story stretches from the tiniest cell to the ruling empires of gods and men. This isn’t just theory — it’s gnosis: living knowledge that reveals how consciousness has been hijacked, guided, and liberated across eons. Inside these pages, Ian Jacklin uncovers: • How life evolved from the amoeba to the Anunnaki, the Dracos, and beyond • How alien forces became the bankers, politicians, and Hollywood illusionists running today’s matrix • Why the Mandela Effect and timeline glitches prove reality is shifting • How Gaia herself is ...