The Meaning of the Nag Hammadi, now in paperback opens the with the thrilling adventure story of the discovery of the ancient Papyrii at Nag Hammadi. Muhammad Ali, the fellahin, discovered the sealed jar, he feared that it might contain a jinni, or spirit, but also had heard of hidden treasures in such jars. Greed overcame his fears and when he smashed open the jar, gold seemed to float into the air. To his disappointment, it was papyrus fragmenst, not gold, but for scholars around the world, it was invaluable.Meyer then discusses the preChristian forms of wisdom that went onto influence what Christians believe today. In addition, some Nag Hammadi texts are attributed to Valentinus, a man who almost became Pope, and whose rejection changed the church in significant ways. Text by text, Meyer traces the history and impact of this great find on the Church, right up to our current beliefs and popular cultural fascination with this officially suppressed secret knowledge about Jesus and his followers.

The Gnostic Discoveries opens with a thrilling adventure story: the discovery of the ancient Papyri at Nag Hammadi. Hidden in sealed jars and lost for centuries, the papyri have revealed much about early Christianity, including alternative views that were suppressed by the early Church. Author Marvin Meyer traces the history and impact of this great find on the Church, right up to our current beliefs and popular cultural fascination with this officially suppressed secret knowledge about Jesus and his followers.

Marvin Meyer is one of the foremost scholars on Gnosticism, the Nag Hammadi library, and texts about Jesus outside the New Testament. He is Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies and director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute at Chapman University, Orange, California. Among his more recent books are The Gospels of Mary, The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus, The Gnostic Bible, and Secret Gospels: Essays on Thomas and the Secret Gospel of Mark.

"The author's concise presentation will appeal to many readers. Meyer writes clearly, bringing both the people and the times of the early Gnostic writings to life and making them accessible to scholar and layperson alike."

- Publishers Weekly



Autorentext

Marvin Meyer is one of the foremost scholars on early Christianity and texts about Jesus outside the New Testament. He is Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University in Orange, California. Among his recent books are The Gospel of Judas, The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus, The Gospels of Mary, The Gospel of Thomas, and The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.

Titel
The Gnostic Discoveries
Untertitel
The Impact of the Nag Hammadi Library
EAN
9780061963407
Format
E-Book (epub)
Hersteller
Herausgeber
Veröffentlichung
21.07.2009
Digitaler Kopierschutz
Wasserzeichen
Anzahl Seiten
256
Features
Unterstützte Lesegerätegruppen: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet