Hidden wisdom
Subtitle: esoteric traditions and the roots of Christian mysticism
By: by Guy G. Stroumsa.
Series: Studies in the history of religions,; v. 70; Studies in the history of religions ;; 70.
Publisher: E.J. Brill
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Leiden; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 195
Subjects: Occultism -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- History of doctrines -- Early church, ca. 30-600; Discipline of the secret; Mysticism -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600
Description: This book investigates the problem of esoteric traditions in early Christianity, their origin and their transformation in Patristic hermeneutics, in the West as well as in the East. It argues that these traditions eventually formed the basis of nascent Christian mysticism in Late Antiquity. These esoteric traditions do not reflect the influence of Greek Mystery religions, as has often been claimed, but rather seem to stem from the Jewish background of Christianity.

They were adopted by various Gnostic teachings, a fact which helps explaining their eventual disappearance from Patristic literature. The ten chapters study each a different aspect of the problem, including the questions of Gnostic and Manichaean esotericism. This book will be of interest to all students of religious history in Late Antiquity.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.