Overview

This introduction to gnosis by Christoph Markschies combines clarity with a huge wealth of learning. Markschies defines the term gnosis and its relationship to 'Gnosticism', indicating why gnosis is preferable and sketches out the main problems. He then introduces sources, both those in the Church Fathers and the more recent Nag Hammadi finds. Next, Markschies provides an overview of the early forms of 'gnosis' in antiquity, Jewish and Christian (New Testament) and the early gnostics. This is followed with an outline of the main representatives and key figures of Gnosis, especially Valentinus and Marcion. Finally Markschies explains how Manichaeism was the culmination and end-point of gnosis and introduces readers to ancient communities of 'gnostics'; and finally 'gnosis' in antiquity and the present. For this new edition the text has been updated throughout, and an additional chapter provides an overview of the most recent scholarship. There is also a useful chronological table and an annotated select bibliography.

Full Product Details

Author:   Christoph Markschies (Humboldt University)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Edition:   2nd Revised edition
ISBN:  

9780567669353

ISBN 10:   0567669351
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   07 September 2017
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations 1. Introduction: Definition of Gnosis, its Relationship to 'Gnosticism' 2. The Sources: Ancient Authors (from Irenaeus to Epiphanius), Church Fathers (Justin and Tertullian), Gnostic Original Text (the Nag Hammadi Material) and Non-'Gnostic' Texts (the Hermetic Writings and the Hekhalot Literature) 3. Early Forms of 'Gnosis' in Antiquity: Jewish, New Testament, and Early Representatives (Simon Magus and Basilides) 4. Marcion and the Marcionites, Valentinus and Valentinians and the 'Barbelo Gnostics' 5. Manichaeism as the Culmination and End-Point of Gnosis 6. Ancient Communities of 'Gnostics' 7. 'Gnosis' in Antiquity and the Present Bibliography Index

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Author Information

Christoph Markschies is Professor of Ancient Christianity (Patristics) at the Humboldt-Universitat, Berlin, Germany.

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