Gnosis: An Introduction

by Christoph Markschies

Overview

This introduction to Gnosis by Christoph Markschies combines great clarity with immense learning.In his Introduction Markschies defines the term Gnosis and its relationship to 'Gnosticism', indicating why Gnosis is preferable and sketches out the main problems. He then treats the sources, both those in the church fathers and heresiologists, and the more recent Nag Hammadi finds. He goes on to discuss early forms of 'Gnosis' in antiquity, Jewish and Christian (New Testament) and the early Gnostics; the main representatives of Gnosis, especially Valentinus and Marcion; Manichaeism as the culmination and end-point of Gnosis; ancient communities of 'Gnostics'; and finally 'Gnosis' in antiquity and the present.There is a useful chronological table and an excellent select bibliography.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567089458
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/01/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	158
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.34(d)

About the Author

Christoph Markschies is Professor of Early Church History and President of Humboldt University Berlin.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Definition of Gnosis, its relationship to 'Gnosticism'.
Chapter II: The sources, ancient authors (from Irenaeus to Epiphanius), heresologists (Justin and Tertullian), Gnostic original text (the Nag Hammadi material) and non-'Gnostic' texts (the Hermetic Writings and the Hekhalot literature).
Chapter III: Early forms of 'Gnosis' in antiquity: Jewish, New Testament, and early representatives (Simon Magus and Basilides).
Chapter IV: Marcion and the Marcionites, Valentinus and Valentinians and the 'Barbelo Gnostics'.
Chapter V: Manichaeism as the culmination and end-point of Gnosis.
Chapter VI: Ancient communities of 'Gnostics'.
Chapter VII: 'Gnosis' in antiquity and the present.Index

Editorial Reviews

'Christoph Markschies, now professor at Heidelberg, is the scholar of the rising generation who looks most likely to become one of the internationally known figures in the scholarship of early Christianity. His Between Two Worlds, published by SCM Press, is a fascinating introduction to the social practices of early Christians. He combines great clarity of writing with immense learning. In 128 pages there is everything the reader needs to know, along with where to look for further information. If ever a book was worth translating this is: it would be ideal for schools, university and theological students and clergy in length, approach and everything else.'
- John Bowden

"I agree with the blurbs on the back of this book. Maurice Wiles finds that the Gnostics presented here are neither bizarre eccentrics nor evil enemies of the Christianity, but rather credible participants in ancient dialogue about meaningful Christiantiy. Gerd Theissen lauds the book as an introduction to an ancient movement and a balanced summary of recent scholarship on that movement. I too recomment this book to anyone interested in early Christian history and ancient intellectual history."-Catholic Book Reviews Online, January 2004

From the Publisher