Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature

by Birger A. Pearson

Overview

Even as public interest is attracted to this esoteric religion, Escholars have debated its origins, its relationship to Judaismand Christianity, and even whether one distinctive and separateGnostic "religion" ever existed. Birger Pearson's expert andaccessible introduction brings the reader into the debate.Directly addressing the nettling questions of origins anddefinition, Pearson situates the advent of Gnosticism within theGreco-Roman religious world and critically appraises the sources.With illustrations, maps, timeline, and bibliography, Pearson'svolume facilitates the pursuit of gnosis, at least historically, bygeneral readers, students and scholars alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781451404333
Publisher:	Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Publication date:	06/20/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Birger A. Pearson is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and editor of The Roots of Egyptian Christianity (Fortress Press, 1986, with James E. Goehring), and author of the forthcoming Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature (Fortress Press, 2007).

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Earliest Gnostic Teachers

"Sethian" or Classic Gnosticism

The Gnostic Gospels

Basilides and Gnosticism

Valentinus and Gnosticism

"Three-Principle" Systems

Coptic Gnostic Writings of Uncertain Affiliation

Hermes Trismegistus and Hermetic Gnosis

Mani and Manichaeism

The Mandaeans: Surviving Relic of Ancient GnosisEpilogue: The Persistence of Gnosticism