Free Ebook The Gnostic Discoveries: The Impact of the Nag Hammadi Library
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The Gnostic Discoveries: The Impact of the Nag Hammadi Library
Free Ebook The Gnostic Discoveries: The Impact of the Nag Hammadi Library
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From Publishers Weekly
Before the discovery of the Nag Hammadi documents in the 1940s, Gnosticism was considered to be a form of anti-Christian heresy taught by some early church fathers and condemned by others. Modern readers depended on secondary works condemning Gnosticism in order to understand its proponents' point of view. But with the unearthing of the Gnostic texts at Nag Hammadi, scholars have a better idea of the scope and direction of Gnostic teaching in the early years of Christianity as told by its adherents. Meyer, professor of Bible and Christian studies at Chapman University in California, boasts nine previous publications on the subject and demonstrates a deep understanding of both the history and content of the documents. After briefly recounting their discovery, he analyzes their content, sorting through the teachings and relating them, not just to the biblical text, but even to the bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code. Although there is no new material, the author's concise presentation will appeal to many readers. Meyer writes clearly, bringing both the people and the times of the early Gnostic writings to life and making them accessible to scholar and layperson alike. (Nov.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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About the Author
Marvin Meyer is one of the foremost scholars on early Christianity and texts about Jesus outside the New Testament. He is Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University in Orange, California. Among his recent books are The Gospel of Judas, The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus, The Gospels of Mary, The Gospel of Thomas, and The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.
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Product details
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: HarperOne; First Edition, First Printing edition (November 8, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060821086
ISBN-13: 978-0060821081
Product Dimensions:
6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:
3.1 out of 5 stars
10 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#1,153,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
This short work not only presents translational excerpts, but also the story and cursory review, of the Gnostic writings during the formative years of the Christian religion’s evolution. Within the narrative is a challenge to the views of Catholic and modern evangelical Christian apologetics as well as those of the historical heresiological writers.One can view this general interest book of Meyer’s as a primer to his (2009) The Nag Hammadi Scriptures where the scholarship and translations are more complete. This book comes in a long line of continual work Meyer had conducted refining his research of Gnosticism after his first successful (excluding academia) public work, The Secret Teachings of Jesus: Four Gnostic Gospels (1986).Meyer had deep academic interests in both Gnosticism and magic of the ancient world, and was considered a preeminent expert in both fields. Prior to Marvin Meyer’s death from complications from melanoma (2012), he was a leading scholar of Christian Gnosticism. He held the Griset Chair in Bible and Christian Studies and was the director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute both at Chapman University. Meyer was the director of the Coptic Magical Texts Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity at Claremont Graduate University. His Curriculum Vitae boasts over two hundred publications in the field of ancient Christianity.Meyer attempts to present this catalogue of gnostic texts (1st century BC to 4th century AD) as a more widespread and viable version of now silenced Christianity and not “heretical hangers-on who tried to harness Christian language for conceptions antithetical to early Christian teaching†(Groothuis, p. 6) or that “the circumstances of the period gave them a importance... [a] living force they never were, either in general history or in the history of Christendom.†(Otto Gruppe, p. 162).What Meyer does not do in this work is present any new research to add to the field of study nor does he address the problems related to categorization of what is considered Gnosticism. Meyer also glosses over the reliability of the story of the Nag Hammadi Discovery itself, which is and has been a point of academic contention.Meyer covers many sources of Gnosticism from both pre and post the Nag Hammadi find, but he does not delve into The Didache discovery in 1873 by Greek Orthodox metropolitan Philotheos Bryennios. Which is odd as the major heresiologists; Irenæus Bishop of Lugdunum, Titus Flavius Clemens (Clement of Alexandria), and Origen Adamantius all made some reference to this particular source document at one point or another in their commentaries and arguments against Gnosticism.Either Meyer treats such as a base level of assumed knowledge the readership comes to the book with, which is unlikely or these facts did not fit into his narrative's agenda. The book being a presentation piece explains this exclusion of information and makes the most sense as peer reviewed scholarship was not the intent.Since Protestantism rests on its twin pillars, of Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide they have more in common with gnosticism than those of Orthodox and Catholic religious views. One can see more readily the acceptance of the Gnostics in their number as opposed to those of more rigorous doctrinal upbringings. The main audience of the book is therefore firmly of non academic interest and those of a general non-fundamentalist leaning Protestant viewpoint. That however should not hinder all those many others whom are simply curious and do not wish to dive into the Gnostic waters head first.
I really debated with myself on whether to write this review. Religious matters are very delicate and debates over religion can anger many people. This review therefore applies only to me: my thoughts, beliefs and questions as it relates to this book.Several years before reading the Da Vinci Code I was very interested in reading about the alternative Bibles as they were called. There were a lot of practices in the Catholic religion that I just did not see as logical. For example, the Pope had the power to issue certificates guaranteeing Heaven if followers gave money to the Church (a mere mortal can guarantee Heaven?); priests could forgive ones of their sins (isn't God alone Who can do that?); the trinity (found it confusing and illogical; how can Christ be God and the son of God?); the fact that priests and nuns are not aloud to marry (yet you hear stories of homosexuality and child abuse); there are many Bibles written by different authors (so which one is the most accurate, or put in other words, which one alone do all scholars agree on?); the corruption of popes throughout history (history portrayed many popes as self serving); and the list goes on.Is it possible that the true Bible lies hidden and undiscovered? That question is what encouraged me to read books relating to religious matters, including gnostic and apocryphal books. During my student years my friends used to think I was weird for reading such books. But I have to admit they were thrilling, and the questions and answers kept increasing. And I kept reading on.Upon reading the Dead Sea Scrolls, I became enamored by these new texts. Another possibility was offered, and one that made more sense. Readers who later read the Da Vinci Code also came to the conclusion that Dan Brown's version of the stories of the Bible made more sense. But does something that makes more sense necessarily the truth? Answers give rise to new questions, and this quest in finding the true words of God seem unending, yet a fascinating journey, and one that I am gladly taking.My interest in the Gnostic Gospels is both scholarly and religious. Scholarly because deep down I believe that there must be one formula joining all the religions of the world together (and you do find many similarities in many of the World religions). Scholarly because old biblical texts (or any religious books) are a fascinating read.Why were some religious books labeled as Gnostic or apocryphal, while others were regarded as the true words of God? Did self interest play a part (if you ask me, I'd say of course)? Were religious texts rejected because they were not to a King's interest in ruling his kingdom? Were passages changed to suit the politics of the day? Why was such care taken in hiding certain religious texts?As mentioned earlier, you'll come up with more questions than answers after reading the Gnostic Gospels.I enjoyed how the author briefly quotes passages from each gnostic Gospel, and his explanation of each text. This is a good introduction to the Gnostic Gospels, but not the end of the road.
When I ordered this book, it was the first book I had ever read about the Nag Hammadi Library. It was touted as an introduction to these codices and an overview that would help with subsequent books. I expected an historical accounting of the finding and an overview of the codices within the library. The book does give that and it is very clear that the author is incredibly knowledgeable about the Dag Hammadi findings, the religious philosophies, and the possible contextual factors in which they were written. My objection to the book is that it is so filled with subjective interpretation. That is true, of course, of archeology and other historical narratives based on such discoveries. But many of the quoted passages that were supposed to support a subjective interpretation, in my opinion, did not. So, I am struggling through. I bought two other books by Marvin Meyer, and all I can hope is that they strike a better chord with me.
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