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Title: Jung and the Lost Gospels: Insights into the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library by Stephan A. Hoeller, June Singer ISBN: 0-8356-0646-5 Publisher: Quest Books Pub. Date: October, 1989 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (6 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Well written Intro to Gnosticism.
Comment: This insightful text is an elegantly written introduction to Gnosticism and a simple though comprehensive appraisal of the Dead Sea Scrolls, found by a goat herder in 1947, and the Nag Hammadi Library that was discovered by two peasants in 1945 in Upper Egypt. These writings are contemporary with the canonical biblical texts, which illustrate a different perspective of what constitutes the spiritual life, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. These works have been branded heretical because their message in some ways, contradicts the orthodoxy of the reigning Church. Taking the word 'heresy' in the literal sense, meaning to take the position in opposition to the orthodoxy of the time, the Nag Hammadi texts are indeed 'heretical'. Hoeller not only presents the works of the Essen's (The people of the scrolls) and the Gnostic Gospels in an easy to comprehend format, but also connects these works with the depth psychology of the famous Swiss psychiatrist, C.G. Jung. What is fascinating about this connection is that Jung did not come to these materials by way of other researches and scholarship, but through a personal, direct encounter of the images and myths themselves. If you are interested in how Jung came upon this material by way of self-analysis and 'active imagining', read his autobiographical text, 'Memories, Dreams and Reflections.' Jung's approach to healing the psyche and teachings of the Gnostics are strikingly similar; this method towards the spiritual life is not based on following a particular dogma or the way of 'faith', but through experience of Self and the divine.
There are numerous paths towards enlightenment and the Divine. In my personal experience, one perspective is not necessarily more 'true' than another...faith in the divine and the practice of good works is but one path; believing in the biblical canon in a literal sense, on face value, has aided many an individual out of the depths of despair and has set them on the road to living a meaningful and spiritual existence. But for some individuals, faith is not enough. To the Gnostic, the notion or phenomenon of experience takes precedence over metaphysical speculation or literal faith in the Gospels that have been handed down to us from the traditional Church. What the American philosopher William James described as "faith in someone else's faith" does not provide spiritual meaning for a lot people. Some of us hunger for a direct experience or vision of the Divine, and this is what the Gnostic scriptures advise us to do. By truly knowing oneself, one can discover God.
In the last chapter of this text, 'From Hiroshima to the Secret Gospels', the author warns of the current condition of our age, in terms of the potential annihilation of the entire planet with our weapons of mass destruction. This is not some rhetorical 'scare tactic' or apocalyptic ranting, but a genuine call for us to take a close look at ourselves, the darl sides of our natures, and to make a concerted effort to heal. The Lost Gospels might possibly provide us with greater insight into the Divine, thus avoiding our self-perpetuating extinction.
Rating: 5
Summary: Parallels across the eras of Judeo-Christian history
Comment: Jung And The Lost Gospels: Insights Into The Dead Sea Scrolls And The Nag Hammadi Library is an incredible and fascinating survey of the similarities between the traditions of the Essene authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gnostic authors of the Apostolic Age. Thoughtful as well as thought-provoking, persuasively argued, meticulously researched, and superbly presented, Jung And The Lost Gospels draws unique parallels across the eras of Judeo-Christian history and highly recommended reading for students of Jungian psychology, Judaic Studies, and the evolution of first century Christian historian and doctrine.
Rating: 4
Summary: Full of good insight, very helpful for beginners.
Comment: A very good book for those just beginning to study Gnostic Christianity ("Elements of Gnosticism" by Stuart Holroyd and "The Gnostic Gospels" by Elaine Pagels are also very good).
I especially liked the chapter "The Secret Sayings of Jesus". In that chapter, the author provided a very helpful analysis of selected sayings from "The Gospel of Thomas". That analysis gave me a good basic understanding of the Gnostic Jesus.
The chapter "Means of Transformation", equally good, basically puts Gnostic Christians in a good light. It accomplishes that by refuting some of the negative stereotypes against Gnostic Christians (for example the erroneous ideas that they hate God and the physical world and have no regard for virtue).
The chapter "Redemption and Ecstasy" is also interesting to me, personally, because it drew some parallels between Gnostic Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism's Kabbalah. Students of comparative religion, I believe, would find that chapter of interest.
As for the Jungian content of the book, I unfortunately can't really comment on it. The reason is that I admit that I have never read any of Jung's works only Gnostic interpretations of it. Let's just say I'm learning about Jung little by little as a side benefit of reading Gnostic writings.
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Title: The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels ISBN: 0679724532 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 19 September, 1989 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Beyond Belief : The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels ISBN: 0375501568 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Nag Hammadi Library in English : Revised Edition by James M. Robinson ISBN: 0060669357 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 21 November, 1990 List Price(USD): $21.00 |
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Title: The Gospel of Mary Magdalene by Jean-Yves Leloup, Joseph Rowe, Jacob Needleman ISBN: 0892819111 Publisher: Inner Traditions Intl Ltd Pub. Date: 30 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Gnostic Jung and the Seven Sermons to the Dead by Stephan A. Hoeller, Stephen Hoeller ISBN: 083560568X Publisher: Theosophical Publishing House Pub. Date: January, 1989 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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