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The Gnostics: History*Tradition*Scriptures*Influence

The Gnostics: History*Tradition*Scriptures*Influence
By Andrew Phillip Smith

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The latest from author and PTG member Andrew Philip Smith!

Product Description

According to the ancient Gnostics—the early Christians who wrote such controversial texts as the recently discovered Gospel of Judas—we are all capable of gnosis, or direct knowledge of the true reality that lies behind the material world. Andrew Phillip Smith, author of respected works on the lost sayings of Jesus, the Gospel of Philip, and other Gnostic subjects, now offers a highly accessible layman’s introduction to this long-suppressed philosophy that offers an intriguing alternative to accepted Christian beliefs. With references to The Da Vinci Code, The Matrix, and other fictions inspired by the Gnostic worldview, this is an eye-opening, and possibly life-changing book meant to revive forgotten traditions, and perhaps even allow readers to experience gnosis themselves.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #791540 in Books
  • Published on: 2008-10-07
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 256 pages

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Customer Reviews

A Compelling Read5
This review of the history and literature of the Gnostics is both scholarly and exhaustive, so I was surprised at how amazingly compelling a read it was. Smith leads us through the historical origins and often bizarre evolution of Gnosticism up to today's popular culture, where its central tenets still ring true: "that we humans are somehow asleep to our lives and to the true meaning of reality, and yet can awaken; that there is a higher form of personal religion in comparison with which organized religion is a travesty; that reality is not what it seems to be."

The Welsh-born author is the editor of "The Gnostic" magazine and author of several books on Gnosticism and ealy Christianity: Gnostic Writings of the Soul; the lost Saying of Jesus; and The Gospel of Philip.

Powerful. Accurate. Comprehensive tour de force.5
In "The Gnostics" Phillip Andrew Smith, who is also editor of "The Gnostic" (periodical) is an author of several books on Gnostic subjects, and in this work he has provided an excellent and erudite overview of all the various known strains of Gnosticism, from early beginnings to modern day.

A real gem!