The Essential Gnostic Gospels: Including the Gospel of Thomas & the Gospel of Mary
by Alan Jacobs
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Description
The selections made in this volume shed light on these esoteric doctrines revealing intimate conversations between Jesus and his Disciples. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene throws new light on his relationship with this favourite disciple. The Gospel of Thomas contains concentrated mini-parables, containing deep inward and symbolic meaning, many of which are not found in the New Testament. The texts chosen are relevant to many of the perplexities of contemporary life and deal with the questions show more of good and evil, sin and suffering and the path to salvation. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Alan Jacobs has translated several gnostic texts and presented them here with a brief description of the source of each. In doing so, he has done exactly what others have done in choosing for us what belongs in New Testament -- or in books about the gospels. This wasn't what I was expecting, although I did finish the book. I was pleased that, attimes, God was described as both the Mother and the Father, but was disappointed to see familiar references to the imperfections of the female.
A wonderful way to experience these scriptures.
Jacobs has rendered a beautiful translation in the form of poetry, making it flow so beautifully, so coherently.
These Gospels were discovered in 1945, in Nag Hammadi, Egypt.
This is a meditative reading,to be read over and over, over a lifetime.
Jacobs has rendered a beautiful translation in the form of poetry, making it flow so beautifully, so coherently.
These Gospels were discovered in 1945, in Nag Hammadi, Egypt.
This is a meditative reading,to be read over and over, over a lifetime.
One word - TORTURE.
I guess I am not into esoteric Christianity. Nothing at all in this book was inspiring or even made sense to me. The best of the lot was the Gospel of Thomas, and even that did not enlighten me at all.
Reading this book was like having pins stuck in my eyes.
I also do not like anything evangelical or fundamentalist.
I guess I am not into esoteric Christianity. Nothing at all in this book was inspiring or even made sense to me. The best of the lot was the Gospel of Thomas, and even that did not enlighten me at all.
Reading this book was like having pins stuck in my eyes.
I also do not like anything evangelical or fundamentalist.
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Author Information
19 Works 640 Members
Alan Jacobs has made a lifelong study of mysticism and is a regularly published author and poet. He is the editor of Poetry for the Spirit and the author of The Essential Gnostic Gospels, as well as several titles in Watkins' "Sacred Wisdom" series: Tales from Rumi, The Gnostic Gospels, and The Upanishads.
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2005
- First words
- When I was an innocent child I lived in my father's house, enjoying the love of all who reared me.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I am within, in your heart; I am your true nature, the creativity of your Self.
- Disambiguation notice
- This is a selection from the translated gospels discovered at Nag Hammadi edited and translated by Alan Jacobs and is not the Elaine Pagels commentary.
Classifications
- Genres
- Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 273.1 — Religion History of Christianity Doctrinal controversies and heresies in general church history Gnostic (First 3 centuries)
- LCC
- BS2850 .A3 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion The Bible The Bible New Testament Special parts of the New Testament
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 281
- Popularity
- 114,331
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.80)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 8
- ASINs
- 3
