The Gnostics: Identifying an Ancient Christian Cult - Softcover

A.H.B. Logan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0567040623 ISBN 13: 9780567040626

Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group - T & T C, 2006

Synopsis

"The Gnostics" demonstrates the existence and explore the character, theology, liturgy and cultic beliefs and practices of the Gnostic movement. Engaging in the current debates engendered by M.A. Williams' 'Rethinking Gnosticism' (1996), Alastair Logan develops the work introduced in his own 'Gnostic Truth and Christian Heresy' (1996), continuing his quest to identify the Gnostics as a cult movement originating in the late first century and arising out of Christianity. He does so first by examining the evidence of the early Christian heresiologists in the light of the Nag Hammadui Library of Coptic Texts, to test the reliability of the heresiological accounts and to attempt to establish the character of the Library as in fact the work of the Gnostic cult movement. He then examines the evidence of the pagan critics with a clear knowledge of the movement (Celsus, Plotinus, Porphyry). He explores the Gnostics' own sense of identity against the Catholics, seeks to reconstruct the unique Gnostic rite of initiation from "Nag Hammadi" and related texts and, finally, argues that the early third century Hypogeum of the Aurelii in Rome, with its remarkable series of paintings (illustrated), represents a cult centre of Gnostics, where they recalled their initiation and theology and buried their dead.

About this title

Review

'In this learned book, Alastair Logan seeks to argue that the Gnostics represent a cult movement within Christianity and that such a hypothesis best fits the varied evidence we have. In the process of arguing his case, he covers many of the major issues in the contested field of gnostic studies, including important chapters on the Nag Hammadi library and gnostic identity. This book combines originality of thought and sure-footed analysis of previous scholarship in equal measure and has, therefore, something of the quality, which is rare indeed, of an important monograph and an introductory text-book rolled into one.'--Dr James Carleton-Paget, Lecturer, New Testament Studies, and Fellow of Peterhouse, University of Cambridge "This is a thoughtful contribiution that specialists should certainly read and from which many non-specialists can also profit.! Reviewed by Michael A. WIlliams in Theology, 2008 'Alastair Logan uses his formidable expertise in Gnosticism and early Christianity in this new and exciting study of the Gnostics to argue, against the claims of some today, that the 'Gnostics' really did exist as a social group with their own rituals as well as myths. This is a massively erudite, but thoroughly readable, book which will be of interest to all those engaged in study of Gnosticism and early Christianity.' Christopher Tuckett, Professor of New Testament Studies, University of Oxford ''This book is a follow-up to his earlier "Christian Truth and Gnostic Heresy" and a reasoned response to some important studies that have appeared since that was published...[It] is a good introduction to a difficult subject.' Rev David Blatherwick, Methodist Recorder, 2006 --Sanford Lakoff "Methodist Recorder " "It you have only one book on Gnosticism on your shelf - then make sure it is this one, Alastair Logan's new treatment of the subject cuts through voluminous secondary literature, distilling the truly important insights, and communicating the results skilfully and with a light touch...For anybody wanting a short overview of Gnosticism reading the first chapter of this book is essential. Undoubtedly it will be referenced on many undergraduate reading lists. This is an excellent book and should be a key text for many years to come."--Sanford Lakoff "Expository Times " ."..(this title) by Alistair Logan is commended on the back cover as having something of the quality, which is rare indeed, of an important monograph and an introductory text-book rolled into one'. It is certainly the former, though to call it 'introductory' hardly does justice to its careful and scholarly augmentation... Logan argues in great detail, and in constant and well docuemented debate with other scholars, that the Gnostics were an indentifiable society of people forming not a sect (which implies separation from the parent religion), but rather a cult, a semi-private movement within Christianity, expressed in a distinctive mythology, and inspiring a distinctive ritual and lifestyle...His book also breaks new ground in finding tangible evidence of the existence of such a movement in the wall-paintings of what appears to have been a Gnostic burial site..." --Sanford Lakoff "Church Times " "Logan's work deserves serious reading and discussion by everyone interested in the current attempt to rethink 'Gnosticism'." Todd Klutz JSNTS Booklist, 2007--Sanford Lakoff ""Alistair Logan of the University of Exeter has long been one of Britain's leading experts on Gnosticism. Here he presents an attractively written, balanced and informative introduction to the Gnostics. This works deserves to become a standard textbook on the subject" Markus Bockmuehl, Keble College, Oxford, TBR --Sanford Lakoff "Theological Book Review "

About the Author

Rev. Dr Alastair H.B. Logan is Senior Lecturer in Theology, University of Essex.

Edition details

• Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group - T & T C
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0567040623
• ISBN 13: 9780567040626
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 150