Gnosticism

Gnosticism developed alongside Judeo Christianity over two thousand years ago, but with an important difference It emphasizes, not faith, but direct perception of God Gnosticism being derived from the Greek word gnosis, meaning knowledge Given the controversial premise that one can know God directly, the history of Gnosticism is an unfolding drama of passion, political intrigue, martyrdom, and mystery Dr Hoeller traces this fascinating story throughout time and shows how Gnosticism has inspired such great thinkers as Voltaire, Blake, Yeats, Hesse, Melville, and Jung. Read Gnosticism – kino-fada.fr I wanted to like this book, I really did Hoeller explains at the beginning that this will not be a book for experts or theologians instead it is a book for the educated, intelligent, but not professional individual I understand that the book is not a work of academic scholarship, but throughout its pages, it purports to be informed by the latest developments in scholarship With an undergraduate degree in religious studies, I am not the target audience of this book I thought I understood t I wanted to like this book, I really did Hoeller explains at the beginning that this will not be a book for experts or theologians instead it is a book for the educated, intelligent, but not professional individual I understand that the book is not a work of academic scholarship, but throughout its pages, it purports to be informed by the latest developments in scholarship With an undergraduate degree in religious studies, I am not the target audience of this book I thought I understood this going in, and was limited by what my public library made available...On one hand, this book was precisely what I wanted it is a quick and easy read, and it lays out many of the tenets of the Gnostic faith, presented within a strong framework of history After reading it, I feel qualified to discuss Gnosticism with other individuals on the basis of what Gnostics believe, how they view the world, their sacred texts, and their method of living It also fulfilled my primary purpose of researching Gnosticism I now know enough to play with the basic precepts to use t On one hand, this book was precisely what I wanted it is a quick and easy read, and it lays out many of the tenets of the Gnostic faith, presented within a strong framework of history After reading it, I feel qualified to discuss Gnosticism with other individuals on the basis of what Gnostics believe, how they view the world, their sacred texts, and their method of living It also ...Dr Hoeller explains the basic tennets of the modern Gnostic movement with reference to the historical Gnostics Much of what is known about Gnosticism is through stories, myths, and criticism which can make explaining the tradition a bit difficult In a nation founded on Orthodox Christian beliefs, shifting your viewpoint to understand the Gnostic world view can be hard Dr Hoeller does a decent job showing this worldview, though I found his approach a little haphazard Many of the chapters can Dr Hoeller explains the basic tennets of the modern Gnostic movement with reference to the historical Gnostics Much of what is known about Gnosticism is through stories, myths, and cri...Now I know a lotabout these mystic Christians whose beliefs the early church fathers found so upsetting One does not find salvation through faith said the Gnostics, but through the knowledge of one s true identity, the knowledge that one is a divine spark separated from the cosmic consciousness otherwise known as God Jesus was not sent to die for our sins, but to show us the means by which we can rejoin that consciousness The author also provides an overview of the complex mythology of Now I know a lotabout these mystic Christians whose beliefs the early church fathers found so upsetting One does not find salvation through faith said the Gnostics, but through the knowledge of one s true identity, the knowledge that one is a divine spark separated from the cosmic consciousness other...By no means is this a book for theologians Neither do you have to be of a religious disposition to find this book insightful A fantastic introduction to this, often misunderstood, sect of Christianity It provides information on theological origins, its evolution throughout the changes in history, right up to how it has influenced many well known philosophers, psychologists and writers of fiction Easy to follow and understand, the only downside is a...A thorough introduction to the history and thought of Gnosticism Well written and easily read, Hoeller s book explores the major mythological teachings of the ancient wisdom tradition, the Gnostic Christ, Sophia, and a historical overview of Gnostic movements Manichaeans, Mandea...A rather nice primer regarding the nature and history of Gnosticism Hoeller s prose is very easily readable and explains thecentral beliefs and tenants of the religious tradition rather well, containing quotations from many sacred texts The furthe...You may resignate or not with Gnosticism, but this book is as clear as it can be about it I didn t feel any proselytizing attitude, on the contrary a very honest exposition of this spiritual path that removes many of the prejudices we may have about it.He doesn t paint a clear enough picture to call it an introduction to Gnosticism and he doesn t go very deep Wikipedia does a better job because you can follow hyperlinks to getinfo.The author is overly inclined to equate ancient Gnosticism with too many other spiritual traditions including his own form of contemporary Gnosticism and does not acknowledge the differences between them, but he has many other valuable insights that redeem the book and ...

• English
• 14 November 2017
Stephan A. Hoeller
• Paperback
• 272 pages
• 0835608166
• Stephan A. Hoeller
• Gnosticism