Title
What Is Gnosticism?,Used
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A distinctive Christian heresy? A competitor of burgeoning Christianity? A preChristian folk religion traceable to 'Oriental syncretism'? How do we account for the disparate ideas, writings, and practices that have been placed under the Gnostic rubric? To do so, Karen King says, we must first disentangle modern historiography from the Christian discourse of orthodoxy and heresy that has pervadedand distortedthe story.Exciting discoveries of previously unknown ancient writingsespecially the fortysix texts found at Nag Hammadi in 1945are challenging historians of religion to rethink not only what we mean by Gnosticism but also the standard account of Christian origins. The Gospel of Mary and The Secret Book of John, for example, illustrate the variety of early Christianities and are witness to the struggle of Christians to craft an identity in the midst of the culturally pluralistic Roman Empire. King shows how historians have been misled by ancient Christian polemicists who attacked Gnostic beliefs as a 'dark double' against which the new faith could define itself. Having identified past distortions, she is able to offer a new and clarifying definition of Gnosticism. Her book is thus both a thorough and innovative introduction to the twentiethcentury study of Gnosticism and a revealing exploration of the concept of heresy as a tool in forming religious identity.
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- Q: What is the main focus of 'What Is Gnosticism?' A: The book explores the complexities of Gnosticism, examining its historical context, diverse beliefs, and its relationship to early Christianity.
- Q: Who is the author of 'What Is Gnosticism?' A: The author is Karen King, a noted scholar in the field of religious studies.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: How many pages are in 'What Is Gnosticism?' A: The book contains 368 pages.
- Q: When was 'What Is Gnosticism?' published? A: The book was published on June 30, 2003.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is listed as 'Used Book in Good Condition'.
- Q: What are some key features of this book? A: The book provides a thorough introduction to Gnosticism and explores the concept of heresy in religious identity.
- Q: Is 'What Is Gnosticism?' suitable for beginners? A: Yes, the book serves as an innovative introduction to the study of Gnosticism, making it accessible for those new to the topic.
- Q: Does the book include references to ancient texts? A: Yes, it discusses discoveries such as the forty-six texts found at Nag Hammadi, which are crucial for understanding Gnostic beliefs.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: This is the First Edition of 'What Is Gnosticism?'