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Suggestions for a Basic Library on Gnosticism...New on the Shelf:
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures edited by Marvin Meyer, introduction by Elaine Pagels
The epochal new translation of the entire Nag Hammadi library has finally arrived! Dr. Marvin Meyer has done a masterful job in producing a volume that will serve for many decades as the standard source. Scholarly understanding of the Gnostic texts found at Nag Hammadi has vastly matured since their original publication as the Nag Hammadi Library in 1977. This new edition fully reflects that refinement in "the scholarly ear" for both the forgotten ancient tongue and the spiritual tradition preserved in the Gnostic Coptic texts. In every possible way, publication of The Nag Hammadi Scriptures represents a milestone in modern understanding of Gnostic tradition. Elaine Pagels, the author and professor who introduced a generation of readers to the Gnostic Gospels, appropriately pens the introduction to this landmark edition. Every student of Gnosticism will want to own this book, but before jumping into the big volume, we still highly recommend a study of some of the briefer introductory readings listed here. Buy the Book
The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus edited and translated by Marvin Meyer
This is our top recommendation for readers beginning their exploration of the Gnostic scriptures. Over the last three decades Prof. Marvin Meyer has distinguished himself as a singularly talented translator and commentator. In this new collection -- the best of several that he has now published -- Meyer presents twelve key Gnostic "gospels" in succinct, accurate and highly readable new translations. The book's subtitle claims it to be: "The definitive collection of mystical gospels and secret books about Jesus of Nazareth". Though perhaps not definitive in the sense of comprehensive, we agree this is the single best introductory collection available.
Meyer states his goal in these translations is to be "as accurate as possible" while still presenting the texts in "felicitous English." At this he succeeds beautifully. Readers who have labored with the sometimes tortured translations and editorial conventions presented in the original editions of the Nag Hammadi Library (first published thirty years ago) will be amazed at the graceful intelligibility of Meyer's translations. Meyer adds to the collection an overview of our evolving understanding of Christian Gnosticism, and prefaces each of the selected text with an excellent introductory essay. Buy the Book
The Gnostic Discoveries: The Impact of the Nag Hammadi Library by Marvin Meyer
Another masterful introductory work by Marvin Meyer, one of the leading scholars of Gnosticism and editor of the new 2007 edition of the Nag Hammadi Library (now published under the title The Nag Hammadi Scriptures). Meyer seems particularly interested in making the message and significance of the Gnostic texts intelligible to a general readership. In this wonderful little book he introduces the Nag Hammadi discovery, the themes and visions of the Gnostic texts, and the way in which the discovery of these documents is transforming our understanding Christianity's origins. Even if you have read the other introductions to the Nag Hammadi library collection, this book merits attention -- and if you are entirely new to the subject, this is a great place to start. For a taste of the book, read the introductory chapter, provided here. Buy the Book
Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing by Stephan A. Hoeller
There has long been need for a comprehensive introductory guide to the Gnostic tradition. Hoeller supplies just such a book with this new offering. This delightful study gives clear voice to the essential message of Gnosticism; it is an invaluable introduction to the history and import of Gnosticism in the Western tradition. Buy the Book
The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle by Karen King
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene is one the most surprising and delightful of the rediscovered Gnostic texts. This excellent new print edition of the Gospel of Mary of Magdala by the widely respected scholar Karen King is the best authorative edition available. It incorporates translations of the Coptic Gospel of Mary found in 1896 in Cairo, along with the two small Greek fragments of the text found at Oxyrhynchus. Included is a superb introduction along with extensive commentary on the text and its implications for modern understandings of early Christianity. Highly Recommended. Buy the Book
The Gnostic Bible, edited by Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer
A superb collection of original Gnostic texts, all gathered together in a single book. Included here are the most important texts from Nag Hammadi, along with a comprehensive selection of other Gnostic texts found surviving in ancient and medieval sources. Each text is accompanied by an excellent introduction and overview. This is currently the single best collection of traditional Gnostic texts available, and serves as a much better "starting point" for study that does the Nag Hammadi Library collection (listed below). Highly recommended. Buy the Book
The Fool's Pilgrimage: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Tarot by Stephan A. Hoeller
Just republished in a beautiful new edition after thirty years in print, this is truly a classic! (Note that the title of the first edition was slightly different: The Royal Road: A Manual of Kabalistic Meditations on the Tarot.) This little book provides an excellent introduction both to Kabbalah and to the use of Tarot imagery in guided meditations upon the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. You will find few better introductions to Tarot or Kabbalah. Also included with this fine new edition is a CD with the author reading the Meditations. Highly Recommended! Buy the Book
Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity by Elaine Pagels and Karen L. King
Under management of the National Geographic Society, the discovery and publication of The Gospel of Judas received a great deal of publicity. Putting aside the sometimes over-bearing "hype", this is indeed an important addition to our library of early Gnostic Christian texts. Elaine Pagels and Karen King, two of the foremost scholars of Gnostic literature, have now "jumped on the bandwagon" and here offer their own very insightful introduction to the Gospel of Judas, placing the text firmly in the context of early Christianity.. If you have read any of Pagels' other works you will immediately recognize the lucid and informative style of this short little book. (For an introduction, listen to an audio interview with Dr Pagels and Dr. King hosted by NPR's Terry Gross.) Buy the Book
And something else new -- Audio Lectures...
Wisdom of the Gnostics - An Introduction to Gnosticism
A ten lecture audio course (nine hours of listening) by Dr. Stephan Hoeller is now available from the BC Recordings online store for purchase or immediate download. This is the quintessential introduction to Gnostics, Gnosis and Gnosticism. Included here are introductory lectures on the nature of Gnosticism and discussions of central Gnostic scriptures, including the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Philip. Mary Madgalene, the Prophet Mani, the medieval Cathar Gnostic renaissance, and the Templar myth are all covered in this superb course. After finishing this course, you will be much better prepared for your further reading!
Basic Library Selections:
The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
For any reading program, this is the place to start. Recently release in a new edition, Pagels has produced a popular classic, a book acclaimed for three decades by laymen and scholars alike. Though now slightly dated, you will find few better introductions to classical Gnosticism and the Gnostic texts discovered at Nag Hammadi. The combined reading of this book and Stephan Hoeller's text (listed above) will give an excellent introduction to Gnosticism. Of course, after finishing The Gnostic Gospels, you will also want to read Pagels recent book, Beyond Belief (see above). Buy the Book
Jung and the Lost Gospels by Stephan A. Hoeller
With a psychological perspective drawn from the work of C. G. Jung, this book provides an excellent introduction to Gnosticism and its relationship to the spiritual quest of our own age. Several key mythic motifs of Gnosticism are explored both in a religious and psychological context. Buy the Book
The Fifth Gospel: The Gospel of Thomas Comes of Age by Stephen J. Patterson and James M. Robinson
Very readable edition of the important Gospel of Thomas. The translation is accompanied by two excellent introductory essays placing Thomas within the historical Gospel context. The book is written by recognized scholars but addressed to a general audience. A highly recommended introduction to this important Gnostic Gospel. Buy the Book
Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels
In a book certain to become a another classic, Pagels returns to the themes she first introduced two decades ago in her landmark study, The Gnostic Gospels. Beyond Belief interweaves ancient history with the quietly compelling tale of Pagels' own quest to understand her heritage. It leads by careful and well-reasoned steps back through history, to an interior spiritual tradition within Christianity forgotten by the world – a tradition reviled as heresy, and excised from what became orthodox creedal faith. As most readers will perceive, Pagels’ heart is keenly attuned to that forgotten Christianity. Buy the Book
A Gnostic Book of Hours: Keys to Inner Wisdom by June Singer
Just republished! A delightful labor of love by a noted Jungian analyst and author. The text consists of Gnostic sacred texts (taken from the Nag Hammadi Library) arranged for reading in the cycle of an ancient monastic "book of hours". To each meditative text, a commentary of psychological and Gnostic inspiration is appended. This wonderful little work is an instrument for deepening of one's Gnosis -- and a wonderful introduction to the Gnostic scriptures found at Nag Hammadi. Buy the Book
The Gnostic Scriptures edited by Bentley Layton
Layton provides outstanding translations with commentaries of the more important scriptures from the Nag Hammadi collection, along with a large number of quotations from and references to other Gnostic texts and sources. An excellent (but scholarly) introduction to the study of Gnostic scriptures. Buy the Book
The epochal new translation of the entire Nag Hammadi library has finally arrived! Dr. Marvin Meyer has done a masterful job in producing a volume that will serve for many decades as the standard source. Scholarly understanding of the Gnostic texts found at Nag Hammadi has vastly matured since their original publication as the Nag Hammadi Library in 1977. This new edition fully reflects that refinement in "the scholarly ear" for both the forgotten ancient tongue and the spiritual tradition preserved in the Gnostic Coptic texts. In every possible way, publication of The Nag Hammadi Scriptures represents a milestone in modern understanding of Gnostic tradition. Elaine Pagels, the author and professor who introduced a generation of readers to the Gnostic Gospels, appropriately pens the introduction to this landmark edition. Every student of Gnosticism will want to own this book, but before jumping into the big volume, we still highly recommend a study of some of the briefer introductory readings listed above. Buy the Book
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