Pistis Sophia: A Gnostic Gospel [Paperback]

G.R.S. Mead (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

Early Christian mystical groups were called Gnostics, meaning those who know, because of their spiritual knowledge. Their teachers were persecuted and most documents destroyed because the Church desired a uniform set of beliefs to operate under. "Pistis Sophis" was the most important Gnostic work until the discovery and publication of "The Nag Hammadi Library". It remains an important milestone in Gnostic research and should be part of any serious study. It is the story of how we, as spiritual beings, have fallen into the physical world. The soul is asleep, unaware of its true nature, but the purpose of this gospel is to help awaken us.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

G. R. S. Mead, Hermeticist and scholar was one of the truly great researchers into arcane wisdom. At a time when the esoteric tended to mean little more than table tapping and mysterious phenomena, he was translating into English the gems of Neoplatonic and Egyptian philosophy. In works such as Thrice Greatest Hermes, The Doctrine of the Subtle Body, Orpheus, and Fragments of a Faith Forgotten, he almost single handedly reassembled the lost esoteric tradition of classical Athens and Alexandria and Gnosticism in general. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Book Tree (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585092398
• ISBN-13: 978-1585092390
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,468,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "extraordinaire", May 4, 2000

By 

O. B. Makhubela (South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pistis Sophia (Paperback)

Ignore the 5 stars and put 6 stars instead! I am still wandering why it took such a long time for me to review this extraordinary gospel. This is one of the most easy to read and follow gospel within the Gnostic gospels, and indeed amongst many of the gospels. The language is clear and the gospel is well structured. Pistis is indeed a rare gospel: it tells of the secret words that you must say for you to reach the highest God and Goddess (not the God of creation); it informs you of the many gods and goddesses that exist and the levels of space they occupy. Mind you, all these is said by Jesus himself, that is the Gnostic Jesus. Mary Magdala (Jesus' partner) is so intelligent in her questions and answers, in fact Jesus tells her that her spirit has been purified and therefore at its best (of course hoping that this is a genuine praise and not based on partner favouritism). But yes, Mary Magadala, beside the praises from her partner, is quite outstanding. She even tells Jesus that she is scared of Peter since St Peter hates the female race! Do not expect anything canonical or convetional from this gospel. It is a very disturbing gospel, yet very powerful indeed. It even explains the difficult parables: "5 will be in a house and 3 will rise against 2 and 2 against 3..." It also explains the parable of the coin - give to Caesar that which belongs to him... This is one gospel, which I must concur, I also do not understand why it has not received much attention as the other gospels!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to Christian Gnostic Universe, December 12, 1999

By 

"burunduk" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pistis Sophia: A Gnostic Gospel (Steinerbooks, 1724) (Hardcover)

Although considered a minor Gnostic text by some scholars of Gnosticism, this document provides an excellent introduction to the universe of a Christian Gnostic of the time of Christ. After reading this I would suggest to go on to "Nag Hammadi" and "The Apocryphal New Testament : A Collection of Apocryphal Christian Literature in an English Translation."

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Metaphysical teachings of Jesus, October 26, 2002

By 

Jhershierra (Houston, Texas United States 77056) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pistis Sophia (Paperback)

This gospel can be read on many levels, Jesus explains the mysteries of Life to his disciples and his beloved Mary Magdeline. These discussions take place after his resurrection and describe his ascension into heaven and his return. Explaining the many levels (mysteries of the universe) also using Sophia (fallen angel and her redemption) as examples for greater understanding. Jesus was the alchemical blueprint for which humanity was to follow. We have greatly misunderstood his purpose and in reading this text you can only gather one level unless you understand that humanity's purpose is to make the ascension/resurrection and that we are all sons and daughters of the ONE I AM. ...