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== History & overview ==
== History & overview ==
The Gnostic Gospels were named after the Greek word [[Gnosis]] which means "knowledge" and is often used in Greek philosophy in a manner more consistent with the English "enlightenment". Gnostic philosophy and religious movements began in pre-Christian times. The name "Christian Gnostics" came to represent a segment of the early Christian community which believed that salvation lay not in merely worshipping Christ, but in psychic or [[pneumatic]] souls learning to free themselves from the material world via the revelation.{{fact}} According to this tradition, the answers to spiritual questions are to be found within not without.<ref name=ThomasDebate/> Furthermore, the Gnostic path does not require the intermediation of a church for salvation. It has been said that Gnosticism blends the teachings of Jesus Christ with elements from Eastern traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/story/pagels.html| title=Extract from ''The Gnostic Gospels''|author=Elaine Pagels|publisher=pbs.org|accessdate=2007-04-22}}</ref>
The Gnostic Gospels were named after the Greek word [[Gnosis]] which means "knowledge" and is often used in Greek philosophy in a manner more consistent with the English "enlightenment". Gnostic philosophy and religious movements began in pre-Christian times. The name "Christian Gnostics" came to represent a segment of the early Christian community which believed that salvation lay not in merely worshipping Christ, but in psychic or [[pneumatic]] souls learning to free themselves from the material world via the revelation.{{fact}} According to this tradition, the answers to spiritual questions are to be found within not without.<ref name=ThomasDebate/> Furthermore, the Gnostic path does not require the intermediation of a church for salvation. It has been said that Gnosticism blends the teachings of Jesus Christ with elements from Eastern traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/story/pagels.html| title=Extract from ''The Gnostic Gospels''|author=Elaine Pagels|publisher=pbs.org|accessdate=2007-04-22}}</ref>

Princeton religion scholar Elaine Pagels[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_Pagels], author of several books on early Christianity and the Gnostic Gospels, is considered a leading authority on the subject. Her Op-ed piece The Truth at the Heart of 'The Da Vinci Code'[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5422879] provides an overview of her research into The Gospel of Thomas and why it may have been rejected as part of the Canon by church authorities.


The documents which make up collections of Gnostic Gospels were not discovered at a single time, but rather as a series of finds. The [[Nag Hammadi Library]] was discovered accidentally by two farmers in December of 1945 and was named for the area in Egypt where it had been hidden for centuries. Other documents included in what are now known as the "Gnostic Gospels" were found at different times and in different locations, such as the [[Gospel of Mary]], which was recovered in 1896 as part of the [[Akhmim Codex]] and published in 1955. Some documents were duplicated in different finds, and for others, such as the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, only one copy is currently known to exist.
The documents which make up collections of Gnostic Gospels were not discovered at a single time, but rather as a series of finds. The [[Nag Hammadi Library]] was discovered accidentally by two farmers in December of 1945 and was named for the area in Egypt where it had been hidden for centuries. Other documents included in what are now known as the "Gnostic Gospels" were found at different times and in different locations, such as the [[Gospel of Mary]], which was recovered in 1896 as part of the [[Akhmim Codex]] and published in 1955. Some documents were duplicated in different finds, and for others, such as the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, only one copy is currently known to exist.

Revision as of 18:46, 22 April 2007

The term Gnostic Gospels (pronunciation: naws-tik) refers to various collections of writings about the teachings of Jesus which are associated with early Christianity. These gospels are not accepted by the Church as part of the standard Biblical Canon. Rather, they are part of the so-called New Testament apocrypha. However, public interest has been spurred by recent novels and films which refer to them.[1]

History & overview

The Gnostic Gospels were named after the Greek word Gnosis which means "knowledge" and is often used in Greek philosophy in a manner more consistent with the English "enlightenment". Gnostic philosophy and religious movements began in pre-Christian times. The name "Christian Gnostics" came to represent a segment of the early Christian community which believed that salvation lay not in merely worshipping Christ, but in psychic or pneumatic souls learning to free themselves from the material world via the revelation.[citation needed] According to this tradition, the answers to spiritual questions are to be found within not without.[1] Furthermore, the Gnostic path does not require the intermediation of a church for salvation. It has been said that Gnosticism blends the teachings of Jesus Christ with elements from Eastern traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. [2]

Princeton religion scholar Elaine Pagels[1], author of several books on early Christianity and the Gnostic Gospels, is considered a leading authority on the subject. Her Op-ed piece The Truth at the Heart of 'The Da Vinci Code'[2] provides an overview of her research into The Gospel of Thomas and why it may have been rejected as part of the Canon by church authorities.

The documents which make up collections of Gnostic Gospels were not discovered at a single time, but rather as a series of finds. The Nag Hammadi Library was discovered accidentally by two farmers in December of 1945 and was named for the area in Egypt where it had been hidden for centuries. Other documents included in what are now known as the "Gnostic Gospels" were found at different times and in different locations, such as the Gospel of Mary, which was recovered in 1896 as part of the Akhmim Codex and published in 1955. Some documents were duplicated in different finds, and for others, such as the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, only one copy is currently known to exist.

Though there are many documents that could be included in the Gnostic Gospels, the term most commonly refers to the following:

The Gnostic Gospels received widespread attention after they were referred to in the 2003 bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code,[3] which mentioned them as part of its back story. The novel's use of artistic license in describing the gospels stirred up considerable debate over the accuracy of its depiction. As a result of public interest triggered by the novel and film, numerous books and video documentaries, both pro and con, were produced which resulted in the Gnostic Gospels becoming well-known in popular culture.

Notes

  1. ^ a b Elaine Pagels and Michael Licona. "Gospel of Thomas debate". Pax TV. Retrieved 2007-04-22.
  2. ^ Elaine Pagels. "Extract from The Gnostic Gospels". pbs.org. Retrieved 2007-04-22.
  3. ^ Elaine Pagels (May 22, 2006). "The Truth at the Heart of 'The Da Vinci Code'". NPR. Retrieved 2007-04-19.

See also

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