Rethinking "Gnosticism": An Argument for Dismantling a Dubious CategoryPrinceton University Press, 1999 M04 12 - 360 pages Most anyone interested in such topics as creation mythology, Jungian theory, or the idea of "secret teachings" in ancient Judaism and Christianity has found "gnosticism" compelling. Yet the term "gnosticism," which often connotes a single rebellious movement against the prevailing religions of late antiquity, gives the false impression of a monolithic religious phenomenon. Here Michael Williams challenges the validity of the widely invoked category of ancient "gnosticism" and the ways it has been described. Presenting such famous writings and movements as the Apocryphon of John and Valentinian Christianity, Williams uncovers the similarities and differences among some major traditions widely categorized as gnostic. He provides an eloquent, systematic argument for a more accurate way to discuss these interpretive approaches. |
Other editions - View all
Rethinking "Gnosticism": An Argument for Dismantling a Dubious Category Michael A. Williams No preview available - 1996 |
Rethinking "Gnosticism": An Argument for Dismantling a Dubious Category Michael Allen Williams No preview available - 1999 |