The Secret Revelation of John

by Karen L. King

Overview

Lost in antiquity, rediscovered in 1896, and only recently accessible for study, The Secret Revelation of John offers a firsthand look into the diversity of Christianity before the establishment of canon and creed. Karen L. King offers an illuminating reading of this ancient text—a narrative of the creation of the universe and humanity and a guide to justice and salvation, said to be Christ's revelation to his disciple John.

Freeing the Revelation from the category of "Gnosticism" to which such accounts were relegated, King shows how the Biblical text could be read by early Christians in radical and revisionary ways. By placing the Revelation in its social and intellectual milieu, she revises our understanding of early Christianity and, more generally, religious thought in the ancient Mediterranean world. Her work helps the modern reader through many intriguing—but confusing—ideas in the text: for example, that the creator god of Genesis, a self-described jealous and exclusive god, is not the true Deity but a kind of fallen angel; or, in an overt critique of patriarchy unique in ancient literature, the declaration that the subordination of woman to man was an ignorant act in direct violation of the "holy height."

In King's analysis, the Revelation becomes not strange but a comprehensible religious vision—and a window on the religious culture of the Roman Empire. A translation of the complete Secret Revelation of John is included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674030558
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	02/28/2009
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	602,830
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Karen L. King is Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School.

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

Translation

Part I. The Narrative

1. The Ideal: the Divine Realm

2. The Problem: Rupture

3. The Result: The Situation of Humanity in the World

4. The Solution: Salvation

5. Utopian Desire, Social Critique, and Resistance

Part II. Strategies of Interpretation

6. Methods and Strategies

7. Platonizing Philosophy

8. Moses

9. Wisdom Literature

10. The Gospel of John

11. Countering Lies and Deception

12. The History of the Text

Postscript

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

The Apocryphon of John is the most important document of "Sethian" or "Classic" Gnosticism, extant in four Coptic translations representing two basic versions, a shorter one (BG, 2; NHC III, 1) and a longer one (NHC II, 1; IV, 1). In this book, King presents a new translation of both versions, BG, 2 and NHC II, 1 on facing pages, with variants in NHC III, 1 given in notes. King does not believe that "Gnosticism" ever existed, and she rejects the view of a number of scholars (including myself) that the Ap. John as we know it represents a Gnostic myth that has been secondarily "Christianized" with its frame story (Jesus' revelation to John) and its dialogue features (Jesus answering questions posed by John). In her learned commentary, she shows how its author reinterpreted Plato's Timaeus, the book of Genesis, Wisdom literature, and the Gospel of John. While some of her interpretations are open to question...her sympathetic and insightful reading of the Ap. John as a Christian text linking "social critique with spirituality" has something to commend it.

Birger A. Pearson

The Secret Revelation of John is an excellent book, full of sound scholarship and attention to nuance, and presented in an accessible manner. It is well worth the attention of anyone interested in early Christianity.

Studies in Religion - Michael Kaler

The book is eloquently argued, and presents its reading of texts clearly. It is also well produced, with an extensive bibliography. It is challenging, and helps us to understand the rich religious culture of the period. There is a creative approach to political, social, ethical, and philosophical problems. It gives an insight into a vibrant and energetic thought-world.

Church Times - John Binns

The Apocryphon of John is the most important document of "Sethian" or "Classic" Gnosticism, extant in four Coptic translations representing two basic versions, a shorter one (BG, 2; NHC III, 1) and a longer one (NHC II, 1; IV, 1). In this book, King presents a new translation of both versions, BG, 2 and NHC II, 1 on facing pages, with variants in NHC III, 1 given in notes. King does not believe that "Gnosticism" ever existed, and she rejects the view of a number of scholars (including myself) that the Ap. John as we know it represents a Gnostic myth that has been secondarily "Christianized" with its frame story (Jesus' revelation to John) and its dialogue features (Jesus answering questions posed by John). In her learned commentary, she shows how its author reinterpreted Plato's Timaeus, the book of Genesis, Wisdom literature, and the Gospel of John. While some of her interpretations are open to question...her sympathetic and insightful reading of the Ap. John as a Christian text linking "social critique with spirituality" has something to commend it.--Birger A. Pearson "Religious Studies Review" (7/1/2006 12:00:00 AM)

The Secret Revelation of John is an excellent book, full of sound scholarship and attention to nuance, and presented in an accessible manner. It is well worth the attention of anyone interested in early Christianity.--Michael Kaler "Studies in Religion" (11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM)

In the tradition of Elaine Pagels's The Gnostic Gospels and Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas, King has produced a study on another early apocryphal Christian text: Apocryphon Johannis, said to be Christ's revelation to his disciple John.--Pius Charles Murray "Library Journal" (2/15/2006 12:00:00 AM)

The book is eloquently argued, and presents its reading of texts clearly. It is also well produced, with an extensive bibliography. It is challenging, and helps us to understand the rich religious culture of the period. There is a creative approach to political, social, ethical, and philosophical problems. It gives an insight into a vibrant and energetic thought-world.--John Binns "Church Times"

From the Publisher

The Secret Revelation of John is an excellent book, full of sound scholarship and attention to nuance, and presented in an accessible manner. It is well worth the attention of anyone interested in early Christianity.
— Michael Kaler

Studies in Religion

The Apocryphon of John is the most important document of "Sethian" or "Classic" Gnosticism, extant in four Coptic translations representing two basic versions, a shorter one (BG, 2; NHC III, 1) and a longer one (NHC II, 1; IV, 1). In this book, King presents a new translation of both versions, BG, 2 and NHC II, 1 on facing pages, with variants in NHC III, 1 given in notes. King does not believe that "Gnosticism" ever existed, and she rejects the view of a number of scholars (including myself) that the Ap. John as we know it represents a Gnostic myth that has been secondarily "Christianized" with its frame story (Jesus' revelation to John) and its dialogue features (Jesus answering questions posed by John). In her learned commentary, she shows how its author reinterpreted Plato's Timaeus, the book of Genesis, Wisdom literature, and the Gospel of John. While some of her interpretations are open to question...her sympathetic and insightful reading of the Ap. John as a Christian text linking "social critique with spirituality" has something to commend it.
— Birger A. Pearson

Religious Studies Review

The book is eloquently argued, and presents its reading of texts clearly. It is also well produced, with an extensive bibliography. It is challenging, and helps us to understand the rich religious culture of the period. There is a creative approach to political, social, ethical, and philosophical problems. It gives an insight into a vibrant and energetic thought-world.

— John Binns

Church Times

In the tradition of Elaine Pagels's The Gnostic Gospels and Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas, King (ecclesiastical history, Harvard Divinity Sch.; What Is Gnosticism?) has produced a study on another early apocryphal Christian text: Apocryphon Johannis, said to be Christ's revelation to his disciple John. The book is divided into three sections: an introductory section offers a fresh translation of the 60-page Apocryphon Johannis based on two of the four surviving texts (the Berlin Codex and Codex II), with major variant readings from the other versions footnoted; part 1 analyzes the narrative in five chapters, with the thesis that this early work criticizes the existing social milieu of the Roman Empire using highly symbolic language; the final section, Part 2, examines various possible literary sources (both biblical and nonbiblical), including Plato, Moses' spiritual reinterpretation of the creation narratives in Genesis 1-3, Wisdom Literature, and the canonical Gospel of John. Although intended for a broad audience, the subject matter of this book and its technical level of discussion make it accessible only to graduate students and faculty. Recommended for academic libraries with comprehensive religion collections.-Pius Charles Murray, Boston Univ. Sch. of Theology Lib. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal