num_pages: 396
description: The Gnostic Religion was the 1st decent introduction to gnosticism for the modern world &amp; is still of value today. It includes both heresiological &amp; original texts--Nag Hammadi only uncovered later. It holds useful material on Simon Magus, the Hermetic Poimandres (shown here to be equally a gnostic document), the Valentinians, Mandaeans, Manichaeans &amp; the "Hymn of the Pearl". The existentialist bent--Jonas a student of Martin Heidegger--makes an interesting contrast to Pagel's more orthodox view of gnostic religion as theistic. This volume &amp; the Nag Hammadi library will provide good coverage of the diverse teachings of gnostic &amp; related movements.Introduction: East &amp; West in Hellenism The Meaning of Gnosis &amp; the Extent of the Gnostic MovementGnostic Imagery &amp; Symbolic Language Simon Magus The "Hymn of the Pearl" The Angels that Made the World. The Gospel of MarcionThe Poimandres of Hermes Trismegistus The Valentinian Speculation Creation, World History &amp; Salvation According to ManiThe Cosmos in Greek &amp; Gnostic Evaluation Virtue &amp; the Soul in Greek &amp; Gnostic Teaching The Recent Discoveries in the Field of Gnosticism Epilogue: Gnosticism, Nihilism &amp; Existentialism
language: English
title: The Gnostic Religion: The Message of the Alien God and the Beginnings of Christianity
titlecomplete: The Gnostic Religion: The Message of the Alien God and the Beginnings of Christianity
genres: Spirituality, History, Esoterica, Philosophy, Religion, Theology, Gnosticism, Ancient History, Nonfiction, Christianity
ratings_count: 400
publisher: Beacon Press