The Gnostic Scriptures - Hardcover

Bentley Layton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385174470 ISBN 13: 9780385174473

Publisher: Doubleday, 1987

Synopsis

This definitive introduction to the gnostic scriptures provides a crucial look at the theology, religious atmosphere, and literary traditions of ancient Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism.

Includeds maps and tables

About this title

From the Inside Flap

ive introduction to the gnostic scriptures provides a crucial look at the theology, religious atmosphere, and literary traditions of ancient Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism.

Includeds maps and tables

Reviews

Layton renders some of the enigmatic literature of gnostic Christianity a bit less baffling, primarily for nonspecialists. The general introduction explains his selection of documents (classic gnostic scripture, writings of Valentinus and his followers, and related writings that display gnostic elements) and places them within the milieu of early Christian literature. Introductions to the individual translations explain content, literary background, characters (where appropriate), and textual information. Extensive introductory material, lucid translation, and plentiful annotations, all relatively free of jargon, make this a fine introduction to the thought and literature of Gnosticism. Recommended for academic libraries and for public libraries where there is interest. Craig W. Beard, Harding Univ. Lib., Searcy, Ark.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Doubleday
• Publication date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0385174470
• ISBN 13: 9780385174473
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 526