tackling the da vinci code 1 what is gnosticism? what are the gnostic gospels?

Tackling theTackling theDa Vinci CodeDa Vinci Code 1 1

What is Gnosticism? What What is Gnosticism? What are the Gnostic Gospels?are the Gnostic Gospels?

In In The Da Vinci CodeThe Da Vinci Code

““Fortunately for historians… some of the gospels that Fortunately for historians… some of the gospels that Constantine attempted to eradicate managed to Constantine attempted to eradicate managed to survive. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the survive. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 1950s hidden in a cave in Qumran in the Judean 1950s hidden in a cave in Qumran in the Judean desert. And of course, the Coptic Scrolls in 1945 at desert. And of course, the Coptic Scrolls in 1945 at Nag Hammadi. In addition to telling the true Grail Nag Hammadi. In addition to telling the true Grail story, these documents speak of Christ’s ministry in story, these documents speak of Christ’s ministry in very human terms… The scrolls highlight glaring very human terms… The scrolls highlight glaring historical discrepancies and fabrications, clearly historical discrepancies and fabrications, clearly confirming that the modern Bible was complied and confirming that the modern Bible was complied and edited by men who possessed a political agenda – to edited by men who possessed a political agenda – to promote the divinity of the man Jesus Christ and use promote the divinity of the man Jesus Christ and use His influence to solidify their own power base.”His influence to solidify their own power base.”

-- scholar Leigh Teabing in -- scholar Leigh Teabing in The Da Vinci CodeThe Da Vinci Code, p. 234., p. 234.

In In The Da Vinci CodeThe Da Vinci Code……

In In The Da Vinci CodeThe Da Vinci Code……

The Da Vinci CodeThe Da Vinci Code, p. 245: we are told the , p. 245: we are told the earliest Christian records are the Dead Sea earliest Christian records are the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi documentsScrolls and the Nag Hammadi documents

OutlineOutline

BackgroundBackground Early ChurchEarly Church The world into which the Early Church spreadThe world into which the Early Church spread

GnosticismGnosticism TenetsTenets Most important schoolsMost important schools Reasons for its appealReasons for its appeal Problems that led to its rejectionProblems that led to its rejection

OutlineOutline

Sources of Our Knowledge About GnosticismSources of Our Knowledge About Gnosticism The Nag Hammadi Library The Nag Hammadi Library

BackgroundBackground

The Early ChurchThe Early Church

BackgroundBackgroundTimelinesTimelines

New Testament PeriodNew Testament Period Apostolic PeriodApostolic Period (30 to 65 AD) (30 to 65 AD) Post-apostolic PeriodPost-apostolic Period (65 to 95 AD) (65 to 95 AD)

The “Patristic” AgeThe “Patristic” Age (95 to about 600 AD) (95 to about 600 AD) Pre-Nicene Period Pre-Nicene Period (95 to 325 AD)(95 to 325 AD)

includesincludes Period of the Apostolic Fathers Period of the Apostolic Fathers, (95-160), (95-160) 325 AD: The Council of Nicene325 AD: The Council of Nicene

““Golden Age” of the Nicene FathersGolden Age” of the Nicene Fathers (325 to 451 (325 to 451 AD)AD)

451 AD: The Council of Chalcedon451 AD: The Council of Chalcedon Post Chalcedon PeriodPost Chalcedon Period (451 to 600 AD) (451 to 600 AD)

BackgroundBackgroundTimelinesTimelines

Age of “Medieval” TheologyAge of “Medieval” Theology (formalism, (formalism, scholasticism, Byzantine systemization), 600-scholasticism, Byzantine systemization), 600-1300 AD1300 AD

Age of Reformation of the Church and Age of Reformation of the Church and DogmaDogma, 1300-1700 AD, 1300-1700 AD

Modern AgeModern Age (1700 AD – present) (1700 AD – present)

BackgroundBackgroundTwo Great Dividing LinesTwo Great Dividing Lines

Two great “dividing lines”Two great “dividing lines” 1. East versus West1. East versus West

Eastern ChurchEastern Church (Greek speaking churches in what (Greek speaking churches in what would become Eastern Roman Empire / Byzantine would become Eastern Roman Empire / Byzantine Empire): tended to be intellectually adventurous and Empire): tended to be intellectually adventurous and inclined to speculationinclined to speculation

Western ChurchWestern Church (Rome and other Latin speaking (Rome and other Latin speaking Churches in Gaul, Spain, North Africa): more cautious, Churches in Gaul, Spain, North Africa): more cautious, even pedestrianeven pedestrian

2. Constantine I (306-337)2. Constantine I (306-337) Before:Before: Church was a struggling, persecuted body Church was a struggling, persecuted body After:After: Church enjoyed “often embarrassing favor of the Church enjoyed “often embarrassing favor of the

State”State”

Two Great Dividing Lines Two Great Dividing Lines East versus WestEast versus West

Western Apostolic FathersWestern Apostolic Fathers IrenaeusIrenaeus (c. 140-160 to 200), Bishop of Lyons in (c. 140-160 to 200), Bishop of Lyons in

GaulGaul TertullianTertullian (c 155 to 220) of Carthage (c 155 to 220) of Carthage Hostile to philosophyHostile to philosophy Function of theology to expound the doctrines Function of theology to expound the doctrines

found in the Holy Scripturesfound in the Holy Scriptures Applauded simple believers content with rules of Applauded simple believers content with rules of

faithfaith

Two Great Dividing LinesTwo Great Dividing LinesEast versus WestEast versus West

Eastern Apostolic FathersEastern Apostolic Fathers Clement of AlexandriaClement of Alexandria (150 to 215 AD) (150 to 215 AD) OrigenOrigen (185 to 254 AD), succeeded Clement as (185 to 254 AD), succeeded Clement as

head of the catechetical school of Alexandriahead of the catechetical school of Alexandria Embraced philosophyEmbraced philosophy Described two kinds of Christianity:Described two kinds of Christianity:

1. Simple believers (disparaged)1. Simple believers (disparaged) 2. “Spiritual” believers, “Gnostics” or the “Perfect,” 2. “Spiritual” believers, “Gnostics” or the “Perfect,”

who explored the deeper meaning of Scripture and the who explored the deeper meaning of Scripture and the mysteries of God, culminating in mystical mysteries of God, culminating in mystical contemplation or ecstasycontemplation or ecstasy

Two Great Dividing LinesTwo Great Dividing LinesConstantine IConstantine I

Major Periods of Persecution:Major Periods of Persecution: 64 to 66:64 to 66: Rome, by Nero (local) Rome, by Nero (local) 85 to 95:85 to 95: Asia Minor, by Domitian (local) Asia Minor, by Domitian (local) 110 to 160:110 to 160: Rome, Asia Minor and Palestine Rome, Asia Minor and Palestine

(intermittent and mostly local)(intermittent and mostly local) 250 to 313:250 to 313: empirewide, by several emperors, empirewide, by several emperors,

particularly Decius (250 AD), Diocletian (284-particularly Decius (250 AD), Diocletian (284-305), and Galerius (304-311)305), and Galerius (304-311)

From McDonald and Porter, p. 263.

BackgroundBackground

The Ancient World into The Ancient World into Which Christianity Which Christianity

SpreadSpread

BackgroundBackgroundWorld Into Which Christianity SpreadWorld Into Which Christianity Spread

Christian theology did not take shape in a Christian theology did not take shape in a vacuumvacuum

It grew amid a world crowded with diverse It grew amid a world crowded with diverse religious and philosophical notions:religious and philosophical notions: Oriental “Mystery” ReligionsOriental “Mystery” Religions Greco-Roman Philosophy (Platonism, Stoicism)Greco-Roman Philosophy (Platonism, Stoicism) Palestinian Judaism, and particularly the Palestinian Judaism, and particularly the

Hellenized Judaism of AlexandriaHellenized Judaism of Alexandria Syncretism aboundedSyncretism abounded


GnosticismGnosticism One of the most potent forces operating in the early One of the most potent forces operating in the early

Church’s environment in the second and third centuriesChurch’s environment in the second and third centuries Not a separate “church” or “religion”, but an amorphous Not a separate “church” or “religion”, but an amorphous

school of sects, schools of thoughtschool of sects, schools of thought ““A product of syncretism, it drew upon Jewish, pagan, A product of syncretism, it drew upon Jewish, pagan,

Oriental sources” (Kelly p. 23)Oriental sources” (Kelly p. 23) ““Gnosticism can be regarded as a first (and unsuccessful) Gnosticism can be regarded as a first (and unsuccessful)

attempt to combine Christianity and Platonism in the attempt to combine Christianity and Platonism in the second and third centuries A.D.” (Cary, p.45)second and third centuries A.D.” (Cary, p.45)


World into Christianity spread was hungry for World into Christianity spread was hungry for spiritualityspirituality

Monuments attest to a desperate longing in all classes Monuments attest to a desperate longing in all classes for assurance against death and fate, redemption from for assurance against death and fate, redemption from evil, union with the divineevil, union with the divine

Gods of Greek and Roman Mythology no longer Gods of Greek and Roman Mythology no longer inspiredinspired

Cult of the Emperor provided only a mode of Cult of the Emperor provided only a mode of corporate loyalty, perhaps a sense the Empire was corporate loyalty, perhaps a sense the Empire was favored by Providencefavored by Providence

BackgroundBackgroundOriental Mystery ReligionsOriental Mystery Religions

Oriental Mystery Religions Popular Among the Oriental Mystery Religions Popular Among the MassesMasses

Had spread rapidly across the Roman Republic / Had spread rapidly across the Roman Republic / Empire in the century before ChristEmpire in the century before Christ

Most popular divinities:Most popular divinities: IsisIsis, Egyptian mother goddess of fertility, Egyptian mother goddess of fertility SerapisSerapis, Egyptian deity associated with the dead and with , Egyptian deity associated with the dead and with

healinghealing CybeleCybele (Anatolian mother-goddess) and (Anatolian mother-goddess) and AttisAttis (her (her

youthful lover, the vegetation god)youthful lover, the vegetation god) Persian God Persian God MithrasMithras, god of light, ally of the Sun, god of light, ally of the Sun

Especially popular among soldiersEspecially popular among soldiers


Consisted of close-knit groups, fellowshipsConsisted of close-knit groups, fellowships Shared sacred mealsShared sacred meals Newcomers initiated by secret ceremonies Newcomers initiated by secret ceremonies

(“mysteries”)(“mysteries”) Preparatory stages included abstinences, Preparatory stages included abstinences,

mortifications, purificationsmortifications, purifications Culminated in secret cultic actions to secure Culminated in secret cultic actions to secure

initiates’ union with the divineinitiates’ union with the divine For example: in rite of Cybele and Attis, initiate For example: in rite of Cybele and Attis, initiate

“baptized” by the blood of a bull or ram slaughtered “baptized” by the blood of a bull or ram slaughtered above himabove him


The syncretism of the times led to a growing The syncretism of the times led to a growing monotheistic interpretation of the many monotheistic interpretation of the many various pagan gods as simply manifestations various pagan gods as simply manifestations or personifications of one unique, supreme or personifications of one unique, supreme Power or GodPower or God

BackgroundBackgroundGraco-Roman PhilosophyGraco-Roman Philosophy

Among the educated, philosophy served as Among the educated, philosophy served as their “religion.” Most influential:their “religion.” Most influential: PlatonismPlatonism StoicismStoicism

Syncretism prominent; in practice many were Syncretism prominent; in practice many were “Platonic Stoicists” or “Stoic Platonists”“Platonic Stoicists” or “Stoic Platonists”

BackgroundBackgroundGraco-Roman Philosophy: PlatonismGraco-Roman Philosophy: Platonism

Human beingsHuman beings 1. A Material 1. A Material BodyBody, mortal, mortal 2. A 2. A SoulSoul, immortal, part of the true, , immortal, part of the true,

transcendental, divine worldtranscendental, divine world ““Rational” element – can apprehend truthRational” element – can apprehend truth ““Spirited” element – seat of the noble emotionsSpirited” element – seat of the noble emotions ““Appetitive” element – sea of carnal desiresAppetitive” element – sea of carnal desires


Natural world in which we live is but a shadow of Natural world in which we live is but a shadow of true realitytrue reality

True reality is a “divine” transcendental world the True reality is a “divine” transcendental world the “Forms” or Universals existed“Forms” or Universals existed Examples: Beauty, Justice, Goodness, “Tree-ness,” Examples: Beauty, Justice, Goodness, “Tree-ness,”

“Mountain-ness,” “Horse-ness”“Mountain-ness,” “Horse-ness” The “Forms” illuminate the matter of this world to produce The “Forms” illuminate the matter of this world to produce

the “shadowy” examples of beauty, justice, goodness, trees, the “shadowy” examples of beauty, justice, goodness, trees, mountains, horses that we see in this worldmountains, horses that we see in this world

Matter itself, un-illuminated by the Forms, is darkness and Matter itself, un-illuminated by the Forms, is darkness and non-being; hence evilnon-being; hence evil


Problem of our life on earth:Problem of our life on earth: Our immortal souls descended from the divine Our immortal souls descended from the divine

realm and have become trapped in our bodiesrealm and have become trapped in our bodies We can vaguely perceive true reality (the Forms) We can vaguely perceive true reality (the Forms)

in matter (they are “intelligible” to us) because our in matter (they are “intelligible” to us) because our souls belong to the same transcendental, divine souls belong to the same transcendental, divine world as do the Forms and long to return to itworld as do the Forms and long to return to it


Hierarchy of Being*Hierarchy of Being* 1. The “One” (God)1. The “One” (God)

Incomprehensible, beyond all Being, all Mind, all Incomprehensible, beyond all Being, all Mind, all FormsForms

The source from which Being derives, the Goal that all The source from which Being derives, the Goal that all Being strives to return toBeing strives to return to

All Being emanates from the “One” like light from the All Being emanates from the “One” like light from the SunSun

recall in the Creed, “light from light”recall in the Creed, “light from light”

* As developed in Neo-Platonism* As developed in Neo-Platonism


Hierarchy of BeingHierarchy of Being 2. The Divine “Mind”2. The Divine “Mind”

An emanation of the “One”An emanation of the “One” Eternally contemplates the “Forms” which are Eternally contemplates the “Forms” which are

contained within itselfcontained within itself The Platonic Forms are thus Ideas in the Mind of GodThe Platonic Forms are thus Ideas in the Mind of God

Incapable of changeIncapable of change


Hierarchy of BeingHierarchy of Being 3. Soul3. Soul

An emanation of the Divine Mind, but capable of An emanation of the Divine Mind, but capable of change and entering into matterchange and entering into matter

All our individual souls are but particles of the one SoulAll our individual souls are but particles of the one Soul The Fall: Our individual souls became separated from The Fall: Our individual souls became separated from

the Soul when out of curiosity and arrogance they the Soul when out of curiosity and arrogance they descended into bodiesdescended into bodies


Hierarchy of BeingHierarchy of Being 4. The Visible World4. The Visible World

The previous levels of Being -- One, Mind, Soul -- were The previous levels of Being -- One, Mind, Soul -- were divine and hence immortaldivine and hence immortal

The bottom level of Being, the visible world, is a mortal The bottom level of Being, the visible world, is a mortal world of bodies, change, growth, decayworld of bodies, change, growth, decay

Inert matter is darkness and non-being, and hence evilInert matter is darkness and non-being, and hence evil


Notes:Notes: All that exists is an “overflow” of the “One”All that exists is an “overflow” of the “One” The other levels of reality exist not out of the choice of the The other levels of reality exist not out of the choice of the

“One,” but are the inevitable result of the abundance of the “One,” but are the inevitable result of the abundance of the emanations of the “One”emanations of the “One”

In each level there is an ardent longing (“Heavenly Eros”) In each level there is an ardent longing (“Heavenly Eros”) for union with what is higherfor union with what is higher

Plato’s Plato’s SymposiumSymposium: stages for the ascent of the individual : stages for the ascent of the individual soul:soul:

1. Purification, freeing oneself from bodily lusts and the 1. Purification, freeing oneself from bodily lusts and the beguilements of the sensesbeguilements of the senses

2. Look towards the Divine Mind by occupying oneself with 2. Look towards the Divine Mind by occupying oneself with philosophy and sciencephilosophy and science

3. Mystical union with the One, mediated by ecstasy3. Mystical union with the One, mediated by ecstasy

GnosticismGnosticism

GnosticismGnosticismIntroductionIntroduction

Refers to an amorphous group of sectsRefers to an amorphous group of sects Represent the most important heresies faced by the Represent the most important heresies faced by the

early Churchearly Church Name “gnosticism” a creation of modern scholarshipName “gnosticism” a creation of modern scholarship

Early Christian writers generally referred to a “Gnostic” Early Christian writers generally referred to a “Gnostic” group by the name of the foundergroup by the name of the founder

““Gnostic” was a perfectly good title in the early Gnostic” was a perfectly good title in the early ChurchChurch One who had access to the knowledge revealed in ChristOne who had access to the knowledge revealed in Christ The GnosticThe Gnostic: book by Evagrius Ponticus about the ideal : book by Evagrius Ponticus about the ideal

monkmonk

GnosticismGnosticismTenets of GnosticismTenets of Gnosticism

In the beginning, there was One God, perfect, In the beginning, there was One God, perfect, incomprehensible, unknowable, totally incomprehensible, unknowable, totally transcendenttranscendent

From the One God other divine entities called From the One God other divine entities called aeonsaeons emanated. From these aeons emanated emanated. From these aeons emanated more divine entities, other aeonsmore divine entities, other aeons

An entire realm of divine aeons thus An entire realm of divine aeons thus developed, call the developed, call the FullnessFullness or or PleromaPleroma


The world of matter was not created by the The world of matter was not created by the One God, but resulted from some kind of One God, but resulted from some kind of disruption in the divine Pleroma, a catastrophe disruption in the divine Pleroma, a catastrophe in the cosmos. And in some human beings in in the cosmos. And in some human beings in this world of matter there resides a divine this world of matter there resides a divine spark of the Pleroma, which needs to be spark of the Pleroma, which needs to be liberated to return to the divine world of the liberated to return to the divine world of the PleromaPleroma


One version of how the world of matter and One version of how the world of matter and human beings were created (human beings were created (Secret Book of Secret Book of JohnJohn):): The lowest aeon named Sophia (Wisdom) The lowest aeon named Sophia (Wisdom)

generated a divine being apart from her male generated a divine being apart from her male consort, resulting in a malformed and imperfect consort, resulting in a malformed and imperfect offspringoffspring

Sophia hid her offspring outside the divine realm Sophia hid her offspring outside the divine realm of the Pleroma to prevent his discovery and left of the Pleroma to prevent his discovery and left himhim


Sophia named her offspring Yaldabaoth Sophia named her offspring Yaldabaoth (“Yahweh, Lord of the Sabbath”); he was the God (“Yahweh, Lord of the Sabbath”); he was the God of the Old Testamentof the Old Testament

Yaldabaoth uses his divine power to create: Yaldabaoth uses his divine power to create: lesser divine beings, the evil forces of the world, lesser divine beings, the evil forces of the world, The evil material world (he is the Demiurge, Greek for The evil material world (he is the Demiurge, Greek for

“maker” or “craftsman”)“maker” or “craftsman”) Yaldabaoth is ignorant of the Pleroma and Yaldabaoth is ignorant of the Pleroma and

foolishly declares “I am God and there is no other foolishly declares “I am God and there is no other God beside me” (Isa. 45:5-6)God beside me” (Isa. 45:5-6)


Yaldabaoth is then granted a vision of the One Yaldabaoth is then granted a vision of the One God and decides to make human beings in the God and decides to make human beings in the image of the One Godimage of the One God

Adam as created by Yaldabaoth is inanimate, but Adam as created by Yaldabaoth is inanimate, but the One God allows the divine spark of Sophia to the One God allows the divine spark of Sophia to enter into human beings, making them animate and enter into human beings, making them animate and greater than Yaldabaoth and all his evil cosmic greater than Yaldabaoth and all his evil cosmic powerspowers

When Yaldabaoth and the evil cosmic forces When Yaldabaoth and the evil cosmic forces realize this, they cast human beings into the evil realize this, they cast human beings into the evil realm of matterrealm of matter


Problem of our life on earth:Problem of our life on earth: The only way that the divine spark that resides in The only way that the divine spark that resides in

some human beings can return to the divine some human beings can return to the divine Pleroma where it belongs is to learn the secret or Pleroma where it belongs is to learn the secret or “mystery” of what it is and where it belongs“mystery” of what it is and where it belongs

Knowledge of this secret breaks the tethers binding the Knowledge of this secret breaks the tethers binding the divine spark to the world of matter and allows the divine divine spark to the world of matter and allows the divine spark to successfully ascend to the Pleroma after deathspark to successfully ascend to the Pleroma after death

But how can we learn this secret? The world of But how can we learn this secret? The world of matter is evil, and the only knowledge that can be matter is evil, and the only knowledge that can be acquired in the world is knowledge of materialsacquired in the world is knowledge of materials


Answer for Christian Gnostics: Christ came to Answer for Christian Gnostics: Christ came to reveal this secret knowledge. This knowledge reveal this secret knowledge. This knowledge of who one really is (a divine spark trapped in of who one really is (a divine spark trapped in an evil material body) is the key to salvationan evil material body) is the key to salvation In other words, salvation is achieved by truly In other words, salvation is achieved by truly

knowing thyself. Salvation is found withinknowing thyself. Salvation is found within Christ speaking in the Gnostic Christ speaking in the Gnostic Gospel of PhilipGospel of Philip

“The one who possesses the knowledge (gnosis) of “The one who possesses the knowledge (gnosis) of the truth is free.” (G. Phil. 93)the truth is free.” (G. Phil. 93)


How could Christ enter the evil world of How could Christ enter the evil world of matter? Most common version:matter? Most common version: Christ was an Christ was an aeonaeon who descended and entered the who descended and entered the

man Jesus at Jesus’ Baptismman Jesus at Jesus’ Baptism Christ the aeon left Jesus when he was before Christ the aeon left Jesus when he was before

Piliate, so only the man Jesus suffered on the crossPiliate, so only the man Jesus suffered on the cross Hence Jesus’ words in the Gnostic Hence Jesus’ words in the Gnostic Gospel of PhilipGospel of Philip

“’My God, my god, why O Lord have you forsaken “’My God, my god, why O Lord have you forsaken me?’ He spoke these words on the cross, for he had me?’ He spoke these words on the cross, for he had withdrawn from that place.” (G. Phil. 64)withdrawn from that place.” (G. Phil. 64)


Gnostic tract Gnostic tract Second Treatise of the Great SethSecond Treatise of the Great Seth 56:6-19 56:6-19 “It was another … who drank the gall and vinegar; it “It was another … who drank the gall and vinegar; it was not I. They struck me with the reed; it was another, was not I. They struck me with the reed; it was another, Simon, who bore the cross on his shoulder. It was Simon, who bore the cross on his shoulder. It was another upon whom they placed the crown of thorns. another upon whom they placed the crown of thorns. But I was rejoicing in the height… over their error… But I was rejoicing in the height… over their error… And I was laughing at their ignorance.”And I was laughing at their ignorance.”

Literal “resurrection” of Christ rejectedLiteral “resurrection” of Christ rejected Christ, the divine aeon, had already left the man Christ, the divine aeon, had already left the man

JesusJesus


Some Christian Gnostics said there were 3 Some Christian Gnostics said there were 3 kinds of human beings:kinds of human beings: 1. The Carnal or Material. Creations of the 1. The Carnal or Material. Creations of the

Demiurge without any divine sparkDemiurge without any divine spark have no hope of salvation; when they die they are have no hope of salvation; when they die they are

annihilatedannihilated 2. The Psychic. Can be saved with difficulty 2. The Psychic. Can be saved with difficulty

through the secret knowledge and by imitating through the secret knowledge and by imitating JesusJesus

3. The Pneumatic. Needed only the secret 3. The Pneumatic. Needed only the secret knowledgeknowledge


Gnostics tended to be ascetics. Logic:Gnostics tended to be ascetics. Logic: Since the body was evil, it should be punishedSince the body was evil, it should be punished Attachment to the body is problem of existence, Attachment to the body is problem of existence,

and pleasure is a means of becoming attached to and pleasure is a means of becoming attached to the body. Therefore, it is best to deny the body the body. Therefore, it is best to deny the body pleasurepleasure

GnosticismGnosticismMost Important Gnostic SchoolsMost Important Gnostic Schools

ValentinusValentinus Egyptian by birthEgyptian by birth Taught at Alexandria, later in Rome (136 to 160)Taught at Alexandria, later in Rome (136 to 160) May have authored the Nag Hammadi document May have authored the Nag Hammadi document

Gospel of TruthGospel of Truth His disciple Ptolemy (about 180) wrote Nag His disciple Ptolemy (about 180) wrote Nag

Hammadi document Hammadi document Letter to FloraLetter to Flora


ValentinusValentinus Had a very elaborate system of orders of divine Had a very elaborate system of orders of divine

beingsbeings Accused by Irenaeus in Against Heresies 1:11.1 of Accused by Irenaeus in Against Heresies 1:11.1 of

teaching God was a dyad:teaching God was a dyad: 1. the Ineffable, the Depth, the Primal Father1. the Ineffable, the Depth, the Primal Father 2. Grace, Silence, the Womb, and “Mother of the All”2. Grace, Silence, the Womb, and “Mother of the All”

The womb of the feminine part of God received the seed of the The womb of the feminine part of God received the seed of the Primal Father / Ineffable Source to bring forth the many levels Primal Father / Ineffable Source to bring forth the many levels of emanations of divine beingsof emanations of divine beings


BasilidesBasilides Born in SyriaBorn in Syria Lectured at Alexandria about 120 to 140 ADLectured at Alexandria about 120 to 140 AD Major work Major work ExegeticaExegetica, a biblical commentary to , a biblical commentary to

24 books24 books Claimed to follow secret traditions from St. Peter Claimed to follow secret traditions from St. Peter

and St Matthiasand St Matthias


OthersOthers Menander of SamariaMenander of Samaria, practiced Magic Arts, practiced Magic Arts SatornilusSatornilus (or Saturninus) of Antioch. (or Saturninus) of Antioch.

Emphasized asceticismEmphasized asceticism IsidoreIsidore, son and disciple of Basilides. Said , son and disciple of Basilides. Said

spiritually perfect free to be immoralspiritually perfect free to be immoral CarpocratesCarpocrates: carried to extreme the idea that for : carried to extreme the idea that for

the saved, right conduct unnecessarythe saved, right conduct unnecessary

GnosticismGnosticismThe Appeal of GnosticismThe Appeal of Gnosticism

Explained our sense of alienation in this world Explained our sense of alienation in this world (our true selves, the divine spark within us, (our true selves, the divine spark within us, belongs in the divine)belongs in the divine)

Explained the presence of evil and suffering in Explained the presence of evil and suffering in the world (the material world was evil, not the world (the material world was evil, not made by God, but by an evil Demiurge)made by God, but by an evil Demiurge)

Offered a means of the reconciliation of the Offered a means of the reconciliation of the human spirit with the ineffable sublimity of human spirit with the ineffable sublimity of GodGod

GnosticismGnosticismThe Problem with GnosticismThe Problem with Gnosticism

Ultimately rejected by the Church because:Ultimately rejected by the Church because: Its radical dualism. The Creator, creation, matter, Its radical dualism. The Creator, creation, matter,

and the body were evil. Our souls alone good, and the body were evil. Our souls alone good, belonging in the divine world of the Pleromabelonging in the divine world of the Pleroma

Its rejection of the Incarnation, the significance of Its rejection of the Incarnation, the significance of God truly taking on human and material form, and God truly taking on human and material form, and living and suffering as a human being. The Christ living and suffering as a human being. The Christ aeon divinity used the human being Jesus merely aeon divinity used the human being Jesus merely as a temporary dwelling and hiding placeas a temporary dwelling and hiding place

Sources for Our Sources for Our Knowledge About Knowledge About

GnosticismGnosticism

SourcesSources

The Apostolic FathersThe Apostolic Fathers Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, Gaul (140-160 to 200 Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, Gaul (140-160 to 200

AD) five volume work AD) five volume work Refutation and Overthrow Refutation and Overthrow of Gnosis, Falsely So-Calledof Gnosis, Falsely So-Called = = Against HeresiesAgainst Heresies

Tertullian of Carthage (155 to 222 AD). Several Tertullian of Carthage (155 to 222 AD). Several treatises against hereticstreatises against heretics

Hippolytus of Rome (170 to 235 AD), Hippolytus of Rome (170 to 235 AD), Refutation Refutation of All Heresiesof All Heresies

Discovered in the 19Discovered in the 19thth century century

SourcesSources

Original Gnostic documentsOriginal Gnostic documents A few surfaced in 18A few surfaced in 18thth and 19 and 19thth century: century:

1769 and 1773: Coptic manuscripts of Gnostic texts 1769 and 1773: Coptic manuscripts of Gnostic texts first appeared (purchased by tourists)first appeared (purchased by tourists)

1890’s: a few fragments of a Greek 1890’s: a few fragments of a Greek Gospel of ThomasGospel of Thomas discovereddiscovered

1896: 1896: Gospel of Mary MagdaleneGospel of Mary Magdalene, , Apocryphon (Secret Apocryphon (Secret Book) of JohnBook) of John, and two other texts for sale by German , and two other texts for sale by German Egyptologist in CairoEgyptologist in Cairo

December 1945: discovery of the Nag Hammadi December 1945: discovery of the Nag Hammadi LibraryLibrary

SourcesSourcesNag Hammadi LibraryNag Hammadi Library

December 1945: Muhammad Ali al-Samman December 1945: Muhammad Ali al-Samman and his brothers were digging for and his brothers were digging for sabakhsabakh, a , a soft soil for fertilizing crops, at the Jabal al-soft soil for fertilizing crops, at the Jabal al-Tarif, a mountain honeycombed with more Tarif, a mountain honeycombed with more than 150 caves, near the town of Nag than 150 caves, near the town of Nag Hammadi in Upper EgyptHammadi in Upper Egypt

Hit a one meter high red earthenware jarHit a one meter high red earthenware jar Smashed the jar, and found it contained 13 Smashed the jar, and found it contained 13

papyrus books bound in leather and some papyrus books bound in leather and some loose papyrus leavesloose papyrus leaves


Muhammad Ali had discovered a library of Coptic Muhammad Ali had discovered a library of Coptic translations of 52 original Greek texts from the early translations of 52 original Greek texts from the early years of Christianity, buried for 1600 yearsyears of Christianity, buried for 1600 years

Primarily Gnostic texts, including:Primarily Gnostic texts, including: Gospel of ThomasGospel of Thomas Gospel of PhilipGospel of Philip Gospel of TruthGospel of Truth Gospel to the EgyptiansGospel to the Egyptians Secret Book of JamesSecret Book of James Apocalypse of PaulApocalypse of Paul Letter of Peter to PhilipLetter of Peter to Philip The Apocalypse of PeterThe Apocalypse of Peter


Muhammad Ali brought the books home, Muhammad Ali brought the books home, where his mother burned much of the loose where his mother burned much of the loose papyrus leaves to kindle their oven firepapyrus leaves to kindle their oven fire

A few weeks later, Muhammad Ali and his A few weeks later, Muhammad Ali and his brother avenged the murder of their father in a brother avenged the murder of their father in a blood feud by gruesomely murdering Ahmed blood feud by gruesomely murdering Ahmed Isma’ilIsma’il


Not wanting the police investigating the murder to Not wanting the police investigating the murder to find the books, Muhammad Ali gave them to a priest find the books, Muhammad Ali gave them to a priest al-Qummus Basiliyus Abd al-Masih to keep for himal-Qummus Basiliyus Abd al-Masih to keep for him

Raghib a local history teacher, saw one of the books, Raghib a local history teacher, saw one of the books, and suspected their valueand suspected their value

Books ended up on the black market, came to the Books ended up on the black market, came to the attention of the Egyptian government, who brought attention of the Egyptian government, who brought one and then confiscated 10 and a half of the leather-one and then confiscated 10 and a half of the leather-bound books for the Coptic Museum in Cairobound books for the Coptic Museum in Cairo Thirteenth volume smuggled to America and soldThirteenth volume smuggled to America and sold


Coptic Museum kept strict control over Coptic Museum kept strict control over publication rightspublication rights 1972 to 1977: nine photographic volumes of all 13 1972 to 1977: nine photographic volumes of all 13

papyrus books published, putting the library into papyrus books published, putting the library into the public domainthe public domain

Some material circulated among scholars before Some material circulated among scholars before thisthis


Leather of the books and notations within Leather of the books and notations within them date the books to sometime after 348 ADthem date the books to sometime after 348 AD

Lid of the jar dates to 4Lid of the jar dates to 4thth or 5 or 5thth century AD century AD Conjecture is that books came from the library Conjecture is that books came from the library

of a nearby monastery led by Pachomius of a nearby monastery led by Pachomius (Basilica of St. Pachomius near the area)(Basilica of St. Pachomius near the area) 367 AD: Pachomius’ successor Theodore purged 367 AD: Pachomius’ successor Theodore purged

heretical books from his monasteryheretical books from his monastery Monks objecting to this may have buried the Monks objecting to this may have buried the

codices. Site found also to be an ancient Byzantine codices. Site found also to be an ancient Byzantine burial siteburial site


Gospel of ThomasGospel of Thomas Probably the most famous of the textsProbably the most famous of the texts Most scholars agree it is a “Gnostic” GospelMost scholars agree it is a “Gnostic” Gospel Collection of 114 sayings of Jesus; no reference to Collection of 114 sayings of Jesus; no reference to

the Passion or Resurrectionthe Passion or Resurrection felt by Nag Hammadi scholars to be compiled felt by Nag Hammadi scholars to be compiled

about 140 ADabout 140 AD Minority of scholars suggest a date in the first centuryMinority of scholars suggest a date in the first century


Other texts also believed to be written Other texts also believed to be written sometime in the second century AD, since:sometime in the second century AD, since: Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, complained in 180 AD Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, complained in 180 AD

that the heretics “boast that they possess more that the heretics “boast that they possess more gospels than there really are.”gospels than there really are.”

Christian Gnostics first appeared sometime in the Christian Gnostics first appeared sometime in the second centurysecond century

References 1References 1 Breaking the Da Vinci Code,Breaking the Da Vinci Code, by Darrell L. Bock, by Darrell L. Bock,

Nelson Books, Nashville, 2004, ISBN 0-7852-6046-3Nelson Books, Nashville, 2004, ISBN 0-7852-6046-3 Early Christian Doctrines. Revised Edition.Early Christian Doctrines. Revised Edition. J. N. J. N.

D. Kelly, HarperSanFrancisco, New York, 1978 D. Kelly, HarperSanFrancisco, New York, 1978 (revised edition). ISBN 0-06-064334-X(revised edition). ISBN 0-06-064334-X

Lost Christianities. The Battle for Scripture and Lost Christianities. The Battle for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew.the Faiths We Never Knew. Bart D. Ehrman. Bart D. Ehrman. Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-19-514183-0Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-19-514183-0

The Da Vinci Hoax: Exposing the Errors in the Da The Da Vinci Hoax: Exposing the Errors in the Da Vinci Code,Vinci Code, by Carl E. Olson and Sandra Miesel, by Carl E. Olson and Sandra Miesel, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 2004, ISBN 1-58617-Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 2004, ISBN 1-58617-034-1034-1

References 2References 2 The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600). The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600).

Volume 1 of The Christian Tradition. A History of the Volume 1 of The Christian Tradition. A History of the Development of Doctrine.Development of Doctrine. Jaroslav Pelikan, University of Jaroslav Pelikan, University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London, 1971, ISBN 0-226-Chicago Press, Chicago and London, 1971, ISBN 0-226-65371-465371-4

The Gnostic Gospels. The Gnostic Gospels. Elaine Pagels, Vintage, 1989. Elaine Pagels, Vintage, 1989. ISBN: 0679724532ISBN: 0679724532

The Gospel Code. Novel Claims About Jesus, Mary The Gospel Code. Novel Claims About Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Da Vinci,Magdalene, and Da Vinci, by Ben Witherington III, by Ben Witherington III, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 2004, ISBN InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 2004, ISBN 0-8308-3267-X0-8308-3267-X

The Penguin History of the Church 1. The Early The Penguin History of the Church 1. The Early Church. Revised Edition.Church. Revised Edition. Henry Chadwick, Penguin Henry Chadwick, Penguin Books, London, 1993 (revised edition). ISBN 0-14-Books, London, 1993 (revised edition). ISBN 0-14-023199-4023199-4

tackling the da vinci code 1 what is gnosticism? what are the gnostic gospels?

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