Customer Reviews

The Gnostic Bible

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a fascinating volume. I have heard of the gnostic teachings over the years, but never realized that they were so widespread nor so diverse. These teachings extended in space from western China all the way to the Languedoc in southwestern France, and in time from before Christ until the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in the thirteenth century. It is interesting to note that, as Willis Barnstone states in his Epilogue, "(in) its territorial range, in its cultural multiplicity, no religion has been so internationally receptive as has gnosticism." In comparison, orthodox Christianity and Islam, while they now have a greater reach geographically, attained much of their extension through conquest.

From Marvin Meyer's Introduction and Willis Barnstone's Epilogue, both models of clear, accessible sholarship, one learns the reason why the gnostic teachings were so hated by the orthodoxies, especially in Christianity. The gnostic views ran so counter to the orthodox view that they represented a real theological threat to orthodox believers. It is no surprise that the early church set out to systematically destroy its major theological rival once Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire with Constantine's conversion in 1306. Despite the apparent logic of such a protective action, it is reprehensible nonetheless, equal in proportion to the later destruction of Mayan codices and other Pre-Columbian sacred texts by the Spanish in the Americas.

I am not Christian, Jewish or Muslim, but I am intensely interested in mystical literature and in the mystical experience. After having initially read the beginning introductions, the epilogue and a bare smattering of the different entries, I can see how these teachings have exerted their influence through the writings of the major Christian, Jewish and Islamic mystics. Though these mystics often cloaked their teachings in the language of orthodoxy, and were persecuted nonetheless, their message has always come through to those dissatisfied with the strictures imposed by orthodox teachings. The gnostic principle of the individual's ability to achieve direct union with God without the intermediaries of church hierarchy has run like an underground aquifer through the centuries. With this volume, and the many others written in the last half-century at least, this underground source is once again coming to light. Its refreshing and revivifying message offers hope to those of us tired of the reigning orthodoxies with their increasing rigidity, exclusionary tactics and propensity toward fundamentalist, sectarian violence.

There is also the artistic beauty of these texts to consider, along with their historical, cultural, spiritual and theological implications . We are lucky to have Willis Barnstone, one of our master translators and poets, rendering many of these writings into lucid, rapturous verse and prose. His essay, "Letting in the Light: Translating Holy Texts," argues convincingly for translations that convey not only the sacred wisdom of the texts but also their literary beauty. Being an ardent admirer of Mr. Barnstone's work, I have complete faith in the quality and tone of the translations here, which is a good thing, because I doubt I will ever learn the original languages. I am also looking forward to reading Marvin Meyer's translations, with which I am not yet familiar, as well as all the introductions for each specific category of gnostic literature. For one of the uninitiated like me, I can't think of a better introductory text. This is definitely a book to study, re-read and cherish.

This is truly a complete Bible for the Gnostics. It contains every major writing that is considered Gnostic. It includes both and Ancient and Medieval writings. The writings are gathered from all religious branches of Gnostics Pagan,Jewish,Christian,Mandaen,Manichaen,Islamic and Cathar.

With in this volume we have early wisdom Gospels such as Thomas and even the biblical John, there is Sethian,Valentian,Syrian,and Hermetic Literature.

This is a great volume to use in referencing the original works as you read about them. I read this entire volume through from front to back when I had just began studing Gnosticism and had a hard time comprehending it.Some of the writings are hard to understand with out a full understanding of what the writer was trying to teach. For example the book Thunder teaches nondualism but makes no sense with out this understanding.While I believe the Gospels of Philip and Thomas are very easy to understand.This volume contains almost the entire Nag Hammadi text and so many other texts, it is like one stop shopping for all the texts you will need in your studies. If you are interested in Gnosticism this "Bible" should be in your reference library.

The Gnostic Bible: Gnostic Texts of Mystical Wisdom form the Ancient and Medieval Worlds
edited by Willis Barnstone, Marvin Meyer (Shambhala) (Paperback) this anthology is by far the most poetic and generally accessible anthology of gnostic texts to be assembled. It utilizes the strengths of both editors. Barnstone has dealt with some of this material before in his 20 year-old The Other Bible. This new selection concentrates more on gnosticism and less on other biblical psudepigrapha, early Kabbalah, haggadah, midrash, christian apocrypha. Comparing where there is overlap Barnstone has offers some crisp poetic renderings in this new volume rather than the more technically dry academic copy present in some selection in the The Other Bible. Touches of barnes fine literary sense shine forth here and there in The Gnostic Bible. Marvin Meyer is best known for his generally accessible accounts of classic religions and popular magic during the rise of Christianity. His Ancient Christian Magic and The Ancient Mysteries provide useful entrée into current debates by religious scholars and historians. Both editors well serve their popular audience in this anthology and though the texts themselves may baffle and frustrate, they also can inspire to see how creative and varied salvific knowledge was conceived.

Collaboratively compiled and expertly co-edited by Willis Barnstone (Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature, Indiana University) and Marvin Meyer (Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies, Chapman University, Orange, California), The Gnostic Bible: Gnostic Texts Of Mystical Wisdom From The Ancient And Medieval Worlds is an 880-page collection of Jewish, Christian, Hermetic, Mandaean, Manichaean, Islamic, and Cathar writings concerning gnostic spirituality. Offering a veritable wealth of diverse sources, all of which are in full keeping with the Gnostic movement (and its promotion of salvation through knowledge and personal religious experience), The Gnostic Bible is a comprehensive, profoundly spiritual, and exceptionally accessible literary text, which is specifically translated in a manner that is designed to be clear and accessible to scholars, students, and non-specialist general readers of all backgrounds. No personal or academic Gnostic Studies collection can be considered truly comprehensive without the inclusion of this Shambhala edition of The Gnostic Bible.

Fitting title for this book - Gnostic Bible. It brings together all the Gnostic Scriptures along with introductary commentary for each book. I spend a couple hours reading this book at the local book store and soon will order a copy. If you are interested in Gnostic literature, this book seems to be source for all within one hardcover book.

My favorite Gnostic books were the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Gospel of Phillip, Gospel of Thomas, and Letter to Flora. Even though technology has advanced immeasurably since these Gospels were written, at least 1,800 years ago, one area that these ancients seems to have possessed that is timeless is their Philosophy, thoughts, and ideas which seem to be quite advanced in many ways even compared to us today 1,800 years later.

This book is not intended to supplant the various "canonical" Christian bibles. This is a collection of scriptures from heterodox sources, sects that were repressed by orthodox authorities and branded as heretics- exactly as certain reviewers seem intent on doing. But this collection is not presented as an inspirational or spiritual text; rather, it is meant to be a tool for students of world religions. It provides a window into an ancient and beautiful tradition that is very nearly extinct. Don't give so beautiful and thorough a scholarly work a bad review just because it isn't in line with your personal beliefs.

Recently I purchased the Gnostic Bible Audio CD set.

Most reviews relate to the Gnostic Bible in written form, misrepresenting the product Amazon purports to sell, which is an audiobook.

I am disappointed and feel cheated by Shambhala, which has made
such a valuable contribution to my learning for over 30 years because:

1. While it is a fine recording (and hence 2 rating points), they are only selections, not complete recordings as the cover implies.

2. The blurb also suggested there was a written copy of the Gnostic gospels inside. Alas i found essays on Gnosticism, which, though edifying were not what the advertising suggested.


Nick Theophilou
Melbourne, Australia

Review of: "The Gnostic Bible, Gnostic Texts of Mystical Wisdom from the Ancient and Medieval World."

The Gnostics were religious mystics who proclaimed Gnosis as a way to salvation without any need for the mediation of rabbis, priests, bishops, imams, or other religious officials.

Religious officials, who were not pleased with such freedom and independence, condemned the gnostics as heretical and a threat to the well being and good order of organized religion.

The Gnostic Bible then is a compilation of Pagan, Jewish, Christian, Mandean, Manichaean, Islamic, and Cathar writings by practitioners of Gnosis; a special knowledge or insight into the infinite and divine by way of direct spiritual experiential knowledge.

The sacred texts presented in this volume help to clarify what gnosticism is and who the gnostics were. The similarities and differences among the writings are equally instructive as are the connections among them whether historical or otherwise. The gnosis sought by the authors of these texts is hardly ordinary knowledge. A text from the Nag Hammadi library (included in this volume), declares that the restoration of the soul to a state of wholeness "is not due to rote phrases or to professional skills or to book learning." As such, mystics have commonly emphasized that mystical knowledge cannot be attained by simply reading books. In the Secret Book of John the savior or revealer announced that she or he will teach "what is, what was, and what is to come," and in the Book of Thomas the revealer commands, "Examine yourself and understand who you are, how you exist, and how you will come to be."

To attain this knowledge--to become a gnostic--is to know oneself, God, and everything. Or in the words of the maxim from the oracular center dedicated to the God Apollo at Delphi, Greece, a maxim cited frequently in the texts of this book: gnothi sauton, "know yourself."

According to many of these sacred texts, to know oneself truly is to attain this mystical knowledge. Without hesitation or reservation I rate this volume at five stars. Superb!

JP

I recently purchased the Gnostic Bible Book and Audio CD set and was very disappointed. I thought I was buying what they advertised under the "look inside" book, but it is not. The actual scriptures were just an audio recording of them, not a written, while the book was about the Gnostic scriptures. If you are looking for a written copy of the Gnostic Bible this is not what you are looking for.

This book contains many important documents that has been nearly erased from the human conscious. Everyone needs to try and understand what these passages have to say. Such as "The Paraphrase of Shem or The Gospel of Truth" which talks about having a creator god and the supreme god. The creator god is the one we all know as the creator and the supreme god is the one that is so immeasurable, its impossible to describe accurately who and what he is. The supreme god is the eighth heaven which encompasses all other heavens combined.I believe that the Sethian techs are the most important discoveries ever, and will give you a new rational understanding of what God really is all about.