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I have to do a paper which is part of passing my final sociology exam on this title. So I`d like to ask if anyone knows any good books or internet sites on this topic. Now, the problem is, it has to be related to sociology.
Something like beginnings of christianity and gnosticism, expansion of christianity and fall of gnosticism (reasons, circumstances, like one thing I found is that the belief that with birth you bring a new soul into this material world, caused a lot of abortions between gnostics, which was part of their “extinction”), where both of them are today…. How both religions influenced each other, how they coexisted…
Christianity isn`t such a problem, but gnosticism is. I found one book, that was talking about gnosticism and it`s social and economic state of its followers. However the book was rare, it wasn`t on amazon, and it cost 300 $ (!) I believe.
Any advice would be very appreciated.
Not sure if ‘The Jesus Mysteries’ by Gandy and Freke would be of help or not. Not directly sociological but much sociology exatrapolatable therefrom – and alot less than $300! NN
not sure if along the right lines,
but recall a text called “Thus Spake Zarathustra”..
also have a copy of translated Dead Sea Scrolls.. lots of Melchezedek material..
Saw the other night history channels special on Henry Lincoln, one of the three authors which did “Holy Blood Holy Grail”..
saw mention of “Jesus the Magnetician” , uh, I mean “Jesus the Magician” …a book I hear is wonderful..
if you’ve ever heard of Current 93, their musical founder was formerly part of Psychic TV and much of their music is inspired by Gnostic texts
try abebooks.com, you might find it cheaper there… a couple worthy links also
http://www.haverford.edu/relg/faculty/amcguire/Gnosisnet.html
heres the other sorry
http://www.haverford.edu/relg/faculty/amcguire/Gnosisnet.html
Found the book, The social and economic origins of Gnosticism, but as my luck would have it, the only two places that have it, ship only to USA and Canada, and the other only to Germany.
Hi Pero,
I studied Theology and a book that I enjoyed a lot about this period is:
Backgrounds of Early Christianity
by Everett FergusonDescription:
Ferguson’s authoritative students’ introduction to the world of the early church has now been revised and expanded with new discussions of `first-century social life, of Gnosticism, and of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Jewish literature’. Each section is clearly structured with its own bibliography. Arranged thematically, chapters discuss the political background (looking at the political history of the Near East, Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic kingdoms and Rome), society and culture (including the Roman military, social classes, slavery, relationships, morality, economy, entertainment, literature, art and architecture, clubs and associations), Hellenistic-Roman religions (cults, imperial cults, personal religions, Greek and eastern mysteries), Hellenistic-Roman philosophies, Judaism and Christianity. 648p, b/w illus, maps (Eerdmans 1987, 1993, 3rd edn 2003)
ISBN 0802822215. Paperback. Price GB £24.99
good luck with your studies !
Wanderingoak
I bought this book, and “Gnosis: The Nature and History of Gnosticism”. I thought of buying some others, but didn`t because I don`t want to spend much money on something I probably wont use in the future. Well, I still spent 100 $. I got two other books, I just couldn`t resist. 🙂 “The Tao of Meditation: Way to Enlightenment” and “Your Hands Can Heal You: Pranic Healing Energy Remedies to Boost Vitality and Speed Recovery from Common Health Problems”. I`m interested in both, but I actually bought the second not so much out of interest, but because I plan to give to a friend as a birthday present.
Meant to buy “The Jesus Mysteries”, but bought “Gnosis: The Nature and History of Gnosticism” instead. I gathered from the reviews that it has similar info, but more “scholarly” or something like that.
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