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The Gnostic Scriptures

The Gnostic Scriptures

by Bentley Layton

First published 1986 · 526 pages · about 9 hours to read

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About this book

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.

The Gnostic Scriptures is a scholarly anthology by Bentley Layton that gathers translated texts from the Gnostic movement of early Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism, with introductions that place them in their religious and literary setting. Students and specialists use it as a standard reference for reading primary sources on Gnosticism beyond the Nag Hammadi collection.

The book introduces the Gnostic scriptures: the texts themselves, the theology they express, the religious world they came from, and the literary forms they used. It is written for readers who want the sources in translation with enough background to read them.

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Will you like it?

This anthology suits students and readers of early Christianity who want the Gnostic texts themselves in careful English translation. Its long introductions set each text against Hellenistic Judaism, Platonic philosophy and the wider religious world, so it works as both a source book and a guide.

  • gnostic theology
  • early christianity
  • hellenistic judaism
  • salvation through knowledge
  • religious diversity

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Quick answers

What age is The Gnostic Scriptures for?
Adults.
Is The Gnostic Scriptures a standalone?
Yes, it stands on its own.
Does The Gnostic Scriptures have violence, sex or strong language?
Nothing a reader needs warning about.

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Reader's guide

ThemesGnostic theology, early Christian diversity, Hellenistic Judaism, salvation through knowledge, the Nag Hammadi texts, heresy and orthodoxy

Gnostic theology · early Christian diversity · Hellenistic Judaism · salvation through knowledge · the Nag Hammadi texts · heresy and orthodoxy

StyleScholarly and expository. The translations are formal and literal, and the introductions and notes are dense and technical. It is a reference work rather than a narrative, and it is read in sections, not straight through.

Scholarly and expository. The translations are formal and literal, and the introductions and notes are dense and technical. It is a reference work rather than a narrative, and it is read in sections, not straight through.

How it was writtenBentley Layton is a scholar of Coptic and early Christian literature. The book was published in the Anchor Bible Reference Library series and became a standard reference for students of Gnosticism. It drew on the Nag Hammadi discovery of 1945 and the scholarship that followed it.

Bentley Layton is a scholar of Coptic and early Christian literature. The book was published in the Anchor Bible Reference Library series and became a standard reference for students of Gnosticism. It drew on the Nag Hammadi discovery of 1945 and the scholarship that followed it.

How it was receivedIt is widely cited and used in university courses on early Christianity and Gnosticism. Readers and reviewers usually value it for the accuracy of its translations and the depth of its introductions, and treat it as a reference rather than a popular read.

It is widely cited and used in university courses on early Christianity and Gnosticism. Readers and reviewers usually value it for the accuracy of its translations and the depth of its introductions, and treat it as a reference rather than a popular read.

Questions to discussWhat does the term Gnosticism actually cover, and why do scholars debate whether it names a single movement?

These may talk about the whole book.

  1. What does the term Gnosticism actually cover, and why do scholars debate whether it names a single movement?
  2. How do the Gnostic texts change the picture of early Christianity presented in the New Testament and in the writings of the church fathers?
  3. What did salvation through knowledge mean in these texts, and how does it differ from belief or faith?
  4. How do the Gnostic myths of the divine realm and the creator compare with Platonic and Jewish ideas of the same period?
  5. Why did the Nag Hammadi discovery change the study of Gnosticism, and what sources were known before it?
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