Twenty-two centuries ago in Alexandria, a sect of philosopher-poets fashioned a myth the strands of which weave through Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Greek philosophy, and inspired the legends of the Holy Grail. Long banished to the realm of notorious heresy, the myths of the Gnostics took root in the fertile imagination of the nineteenth century's artistic movements and esoteric circles, bearing fruit in the daily spiritual practice of thousands today. In 1945, a library of Gnostic writings surfaced form the Egyptian desert, allowing the movement--after 1500 years of propaganda and slander--to speak with its own voice. Rich in imagery, nostalgic in tone, Gnosticism quietly restores Wisdom to her place as a Goddess in Western religion, reveres Eve as the first saint, and acknowledges Mary Magdelene as foremost of the Apostles.
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Jordan Stratford has been pronounced clinically dead, and was briefly mistakenly wanted by INTERPOL for international industrial espionage. He is an ordained priest, has won numerous sword fights, jaywalked across the streets of Paris, San Franciso, and Sao Paolo, and was once shot by a stray rubber bullet in a London riot. He lives on a tiny windswept Pacific island populated predominantly by realtors and carnivorous gulls.
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11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Gnosticism, says Canadian Gnostic priest Jordan Statford (and blogger), is not a Jewish or Christian heresy, but stands alone, "too heretical for other faiths. . . . the Secret Church of the Holy Grail."
His new book, Living Gnosticism: An Ancient Way of Knowing, defines it as "a pre-Christian religious tradition that fuse Judaism, Greek philosophy, and the Mystery Schools of the ancient world.
"Originating in the intellectual 'café societies' of Alexandria around 200 BCE, the original Gnostics were Greek-educated Jews, living in Egypt, on the doorstep of the Roman Empire. Theirs was the realm of diverse and interplaying cultures, of ideas and imagination. Gnostics unflinchingly explored the borders of myth and archetype, of metaphors and dreams, of creativity and poetic expression."
(Sometimes he makes them sound like beatniks of the ancient Mediterraean.)
Also included are
* A dictionary of Gnostic terms such as archon and demiurge.
* A ritual calendar that starts with Candlemas, equating Bridget with Sophia, both as "goddesses" of wisdom and creativity, and runs through the feast of the apostle John, December 27. (Not real goddesses but "symbol[s] for an aspect of something greater.")
* A question-and-answer section, viz., "Do Gnostics deny the historical Jesus?"
Answer: He is an archetype; "these stories don't need to be historically true to be valuable."
* An introduction to the various Gnostic churches of North America: the Apostolic Johannite Church, the Ecclesia Gnostica, the Ecclesia Gnostica Mysteriorum, the Gnostic Church of Mary Magdalene, the Order of St. Esclarmonde (a Cathar mystic executed by the Inquisition).
It's an excellent introduction to the topic.... Read more ›
His new book, Living Gnosticism: An Ancient Way of Knowing, defines it as "a pre-Christian religious tradition that fuse Judaism, Greek philosophy, and the Mystery Schools of the ancient world.
"Originating in the intellectual 'café societies' of Alexandria around 200 BCE, the original Gnostics were Greek-educated Jews, living in Egypt, on the doorstep of the Roman Empire. Theirs was the realm of diverse and interplaying cultures, of ideas and imagination. Gnostics unflinchingly explored the borders of myth and archetype, of metaphors and dreams, of creativity and poetic expression."
(Sometimes he makes them sound like beatniks of the ancient Mediterraean.)
Also included are
* A dictionary of Gnostic terms such as archon and demiurge.
* A ritual calendar that starts with Candlemas, equating Bridget with Sophia, both as "goddesses" of wisdom and creativity, and runs through the feast of the apostle John, December 27. (Not real goddesses but "symbol[s] for an aspect of something greater.")
* A question-and-answer section, viz., "Do Gnostics deny the historical Jesus?"
Answer: He is an archetype; "these stories don't need to be historically true to be valuable."
* An introduction to the various Gnostic churches of North America: the Apostolic Johannite Church, the Ecclesia Gnostica, the Ecclesia Gnostica Mysteriorum, the Gnostic Church of Mary Magdalene, the Order of St. Esclarmonde (a Cathar mystic executed by the Inquisition).
It's an excellent introduction to the topic.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you want to understand Gnosticism as a contemporary faith, then this is the place to start.
Not a heavy read, but certainly not a "Gnosticism for Dummies" either, this book gives one a great insight in only a few pages. Get this along with Stephan Hoeller's Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing first, then follow it with Kurt Rudolph's Gnosis: The Nature And History of Gnosticism, all the books by Elaine Pagels, and the Gnostic Bible and/or the Nag Hammadi Library, and you will be well-versed in Gnostic thought.
Not a heavy read, but certainly not a "Gnosticism for Dummies" either, this book gives one a great insight in only a few pages. Get this along with Stephan Hoeller's Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing first, then follow it with Kurt Rudolph's Gnosis: The Nature And History of Gnosticism, all the books by Elaine Pagels, and the Gnostic Bible and/or the Nag Hammadi Library, and you will be well-versed in Gnostic thought.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Leo V. Lane
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A very good 101 book. If you're looking for an introduction to contemporary Gnosticism, this is your book. The only drawback is that it is a bit too brief. Perfect for the casual seeker and a good starting point for anyone looking down this path.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Those who follow Jordan Stratford's writing will not be surprised by the poetic sensibilities and thoughtful reflection which run through this small and beautifully designed volume.
Readers may differ from Stratford in their evaluations of some historical and theological matters, but this is not a book intended as a contribution to academic debate. Rather, we are presented with contemporary gnosticism (and its heritage) as seen through the eyes of one of its most articulate practitioners.
This book will be of considerable interest to the gnostic community, to spiritual seekers intrigued by gnosticism, as well as to those who study new religious movements and independent sacramental churches.
Readers may differ from Stratford in their evaluations of some historical and theological matters, but this is not a book intended as a contribution to academic debate. Rather, we are presented with contemporary gnosticism (and its heritage) as seen through the eyes of one of its most articulate practitioners.
This book will be of considerable interest to the gnostic community, to spiritual seekers intrigued by gnosticism, as well as to those who study new religious movements and independent sacramental churches.
12 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been a gnostic since before I was born. But, like Discordianism and the Church of the Subgenius, the only way to participate in "Gnosticism" is to wear the t-shirt everyday and hope that some other hipster "gets it." Of course, I've always held out hope that I might be discovered by some illuminatus and "tapped" into an esoteric order, but if they're out there they haven't found me. Until I found this book, Gnosticism seemed little more than a Google Group or a table at the ComicCon - an exciting idea for teenage boys, but not a cultural institution.
Jordan Stratford's "living" Gnosticism is different. This isn't a role-playing game or the Society for Creative Anachronism. It's a vibrant, substantial, morally-serious and historically-pedigreed church. Most interestingly, Stratford's Gnosticism is not an esoteric movement. While mystery is still an essential component of Gnosticism, the aggressive secrecy associated with historical Gnosticism was a defense mechanism, not an article of faith. (See e.g. Persecution and the Art of Writing) Without the threat of the stake, there's no need for secret handshakes.
Stratford's revolutionary notion is that, in a free society, Gnosticism can be a popular religious movement. But why, the free-thinker asks, is this necessary? "Why," as Stratford puts it, "so CHURCHY?" Well, it's easy to be a wise man on a mountain, but much harder to be a tantric illuminist in suburbia. If you have kids, you'll quickly discover that there is no Discordian preschool. There are no Subgenius soup kitchens.... Read more ›
Jordan Stratford's "living" Gnosticism is different. This isn't a role-playing game or the Society for Creative Anachronism. It's a vibrant, substantial, morally-serious and historically-pedigreed church. Most interestingly, Stratford's Gnosticism is not an esoteric movement. While mystery is still an essential component of Gnosticism, the aggressive secrecy associated with historical Gnosticism was a defense mechanism, not an article of faith. (See e.g. Persecution and the Art of Writing) Without the threat of the stake, there's no need for secret handshakes.
Stratford's revolutionary notion is that, in a free society, Gnosticism can be a popular religious movement. But why, the free-thinker asks, is this necessary? "Why," as Stratford puts it, "so CHURCHY?" Well, it's easy to be a wise man on a mountain, but much harder to be a tantric illuminist in suburbia. If you have kids, you'll quickly discover that there is no Discordian preschool. There are no Subgenius soup kitchens.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eat From The Tree Of Knowledge
"Living Gnosticism: An Ancient Way of Knowing" is a very fun and informative book. It is a generally superb introduction to Gnosticism. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Morpheus
1.0 out of 5 stars
fake gnosticism
HORRIBLE BOOK!!....If I used nice words to describe this book I would be lying.When I passed this book to 7 other people,they read it and said the same thing. Read more
Published on October 25, 2010 by Jimmy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Living Gnosticism: An Ancient Way of Knowing
An excellent introduction to modern Gnosticism, and how ancient beliefs have been brought into the modern age. It reveals an open belief that embraces knowledge and acceptance.
Published on December 23, 2009 by David C. Green
4.0 out of 5 stars
Practical Gnosticism
While there are quite a few books out there on Gnosticism, there are not many that actually help one practice the Gnostic path. If you're looking for such a book, look no further. Read more
Published on August 6, 2009 by Stephen F
5.0 out of 5 stars
Living Gnosticism
A must read for anyone interested in Gnosticism. Unlike so many other books I have read on the subject the author discusses his concepts in language anyone can understand. Read more
Published on February 23, 2008 by L. Hoddinott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommended
Living Gnosticism, by Gnostic Priest Jordan Stratford, manages to be both poetic and highly informative. Read more
Published on January 9, 2008 by Thomas
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