Yale University Library Research Guides: Early Christianity and Patristics: "Gnosticism"

Introduction to "Gnosticism"

The Gnostics: myth, ritual, and diversity in early Christianity by David Brakke Who were the Gnostics? And how did the Gnostic movement influence the development of Christianity in antiquity? discussion of scholarly debates over the concept of "Gnosticism" and the nature of early Christian diversity.
Beyond Gnosticism : myth, lifestyle, and society in the school of Valentinus by Ismo O. Dunderberg suggests that scholars approach Valentinians as an early Christian group rather than as a representative of ancient "Gnosticism". shows that Valentinian myths of origin are filled with references to lifestyle (such as the control of emotions), the Christian community, and society, providing students with ethical instruction and new insights into their position in the world. Online available.

Sethian-ism

Sethian gnosticism and the platonic tradition by John D. Turner
Apocalypse of the Alien God by Dylan M. Burns proposes a radical interpretation of these long-lost apocalypses, placing them firmly in the context of Judeo-Christian authorship rather than ascribing them to a pagan offshoot of Gnosticism. Sethian literature emerged along the fault lines between Judaism and Christianity, Online available.
Paradise Reconsidered in Gnostic Mythmaking: rethinking Sethianism in light of the Ophite evidence by Tuomas Rasimus This book offers a new understanding of Sethianism and the origins of Gnosticism by examining the mythology in and social reality behind a group of texts to which certain leaders of the early church occasionally attached the label 'Ophite.' In the unique Ophite mythology, which rewrites the Genesis paradise story and is attested, for example, in Irenaeus' Adversus haereses 1.30, The Apocryphon of John and On the Origin of the World, the snake's advice to eat of the tree of knowledge is considered positive, the creator and his angels are turned into demonic beasts and the true Godhead is presented as an androgynous heavenly projection of Adam and Eve. It is argued that Hans-Martin Schenke's influential model of the 'Sethian system' only reveals part of a larger whole to which the Ophite material belongs as an important and organic component. Online available.
Immovable Race: a gnostic designation and the theme of stability in late antiquity by M. A. Williams 'Especially valluable are his discussions of the philosophical use of the theme of stability... a valuable contribution to scholarship on ancient Gnosticism.'Birger A. Pearson, Religious Studies Review, 1987.'...stimulating, provocative, and important study.'Ruth Majercik, Journal of Biblical Literature.

Historicizing & Deconstructing "Gnosticism"

Rethinking Gnosticism: an argument for dismantling a dubious category by Michael Allen Williams challenges the validity of the category of ancient "gnosticism" and the ways it has been described.
What Is Gnosticism? by Karen L. King disentangles modern historiography from the Christian discourse of orthodoxy and heresy that has pervaded - and distorted - the story. Online available.

Gnosticism Studies

Images of the Feminine in Gnosticism by Karen L. King study of issues of gender in Gnosticism.
The gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels Online available.

"Gnosticism" Sources

The Nag Hammadi Library in English by James McConkey Robinson Online available.

The Coptic gnostic library : a complete edition of the Nag Hammadi codices Includes the full text of the Nag Hammadi codices, in the Coptic and English translation. Critical text. Introductions + commentaries.

The Gospel of Judas ; together with the Letter of Peter to Philip, James, and a Book of Allogenes from Codex Tchacos : critical edition by Francois Gaudard et al. complete text of Codex Tchacos. full-color photographs. Coptic text and its English translation, in critical edition.introductions, indices, and essays. Online available.
Books of Jeu and the Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex by Carl Schmidt Online available.
Ecrits gnostiques : codex de Berlin by Michel Tardieu French translations from the Berlin codex, and of versions of the same texts from the Nag Hammadi codices: Evangile selon Marie (B), Livre des secrets, de Jean (B II III), Sagesse de Jésus (B) et Eugnoste (III), Sagesse de Jésus (III), Acte de Pierre (B).
The Gospel of Mary by Christopher Tuckett critical edition, translations, of all the extant manuscripts of the Gospel of Mary. extended Introduction. Online available.
The Secret Revelation of John by Karen L. King Full text and extended commentary of Apocryphon of John in accessible English.

Nag Hammadi Studies

Nag Hammadi bibliography online cross-searchable database of books, articles and reviews, which contribute to the study of Gnosticism and early Christianity. Online available.

Bibliothèque copte de Nag Hammadi by Presses de l'Université Laval Bibliothèque copte de Nag Hammadi has three series: texts, studies (études), and concordances, each of which encompasses the entire NHC and then some. Many available online. French.

Early Christianity and Patristics: "Gnosticism"

Introduction to "Gnosticism"

Sethian-ism

Historicizing & Deconstructing "Gnosticism"

Gnosticism Studies

"Gnosticism" Sources

Nag Hammadi Studies

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