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  • The Gnostic Religion: The Message of the Alien God and the Beginnings of Christianity

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The Gnostic Religion: The Message of the Alien God and the Beginnings of Christianity Paperback – January 16, 2001

by Hans Jonas (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars (88)
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The Message of the Alien God and the Beginnings of Christianity
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  1. Print length
    396 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 16, 2001
  4. Dimensions
    5.43 x 0.83 x 8.23 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0807058017
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0807058015
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Using the few sources available to him with penetrating insight, Jonas reconstructed the Gnostic worldview ... The Gnostic Religion remains, even today, the classic introduction" – Elaine Pagels, author of The Origin of Satan

"A fascinating exposition with copious quotations, of what is known of Gnosticism ... Dr. Jonas writes with authority, passion, and precision about this long-forgotten religion" – The New Yorker

 

About the Author

Hans Jonas (1903-1993) was a distinguished philosopher specializing in political science, theology, and bioethics. His published works include The Gnostic Religion: The Message of the Alien God & the Beginning of Christianity; The Phenomenon of Life: Toward a Philosophical Biology; and The Imperative of Responsibility: In Search of Ethics for the Technological Age.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beacon Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 16, 2001
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 396 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0807058017
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0807058015
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.43 x 0.83 x 8.23 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #762,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars (88)

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
88 global ratings
Gnosticism for today!
4 out of 5 stars
Gnosticism for today!
Plentiful and symphonic in its use of cadence to indulge the senses of a presumed forgotten religion. Authoritative and detailed account of the vast spatial anomalies between the “red and blue” theories of Gnosticism. Jonas blends the doctrines of the East and West, thus giving us sarkic, hylic and pneumatic examples of the soul. Read.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Steve Gee
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the first still definitive studies on Gnosticism.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Fantastic and in depth explanation of the ancient Gnostic religion. A bit too scholarly at times but easy to understand.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Sean McBride
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best book for a practicing Neo-Gnostic
    Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Almost no other book on Gnosticism compares to this one when it comes to forming a genuine theology, cosmogony, and ethical worldview that brings uniquely Gnostic beliefs into the modern age.

    Many other books on Gnosticism are too focused on trying to either perfectly describe what ancient Gnostics might have thought or practiced or they are highly syncretic, relying on Hermetic, Christian esoteric, New Age, or Jungian ideas to fill in the gaps.

    Jonas is the only one to date that has taken the Gnostics seriously on their own terms and one of the few who recognize the central role that the theme of alienation plays in Gnostic myths.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Sephirah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is one of the best books Ive ever read on the subject of Gnostic Religions. For anyone who is familiar with The Course in Miracles, you will find mind-blowing similarities between the two which will take you to an even deeper level of understanding. I have 2 copies of this book, I love it so much. For anyone on a journey towards awakening, this book (along with The Course in Miracles) is simply a must-have for understanding the how and why of Creation itself.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Daniel L. Sweet
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not Well Known
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This work is an excellent study of the key principles of gnosticism. Though not well known and out of print, the history, evolution and thought of the ancient gnostics is dealt with in a clear, unbiased manner. With the increasing interest in this subject in recent years, the origins of gnosticism make the book a great addition to any library.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Taylor Holmes
    4.0 out of 5 stars High informative, a must have for any student of Gnosticism.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2010
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Highly informative and eloquently written. Though outdated by today's standards, Hans Jonas has written a wonderful and insightful study into Gnosticism's foundational teachings, the faith's context within the Greco-Roman world of late antiquity, and it's modern relevancies. Though dense and somewhat rigidly academic in structure and approach, the text is a valuable asset to any student of Gnosticism. It is not, however, reccomended as introductory reading for the reasons stated above.
    20 people found this helpful
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  • Gregory Shtevensh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Myth and philosophy.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    It presents an important layer of human truth. Its hard to go into detail on why or if Heidegger's thought resembled gnosis. The gnostic myth is myth and philosophy is a wresting of truth from the mythical -sensory elements. It is always easy to over- and under- state this semblance. This is the sort of problem that frys brains. Jonas is mature enough to limit his presentation of these wonderings to a few essential seeds.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Dustin Atlas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing intro
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Reading Jonas is always a pleasure; the way he divides and presents the field is still useful, despite the many discoveries that have occurred since book's publication.

    Most useful for people with a philosophical background: while (excepting the final chapter) the book is in no way 'philosophy,' Jonas thinks like a philosopher; he brings Gnostic figures and myths into a kind of dialogue with philosophy (especially Stoicism).
    12 people found this helpful
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  • wizard2
    1.0 out of 5 stars empty pages
    Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    it just dose not seem to come from the heart its to full of words and the way its written very hard to understand takes to much time to read it i just don't like the way its written more for the academic mind
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • cavallopazzo
    5.0 out of 5 stars per una rilettura filosofica della gnosi
    Reviewed in Italy on January 26, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    uno dei grandi libri di Jonas, che applica categorie filosofiche heideggeriane per mettere in luce il senso più profondo del fenomeno gnostico: una risposta che esaspera il dualismo e sancisce la fuga dal mondo, sullo sfondo di una crisi esistenziale che caretterizzava quella epoca antica così come, forse, ancor oggi la nostra.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute prerequisite
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An absolute prerequisite for both the study of Gnosticism and Existentialism. What Jonás shows in captivating insights is the we - women and men of late modernity - are going through the same existential crisis that led to the creation of Gnosticism. He embarked on a journey to use Heidegger’s system of hermeneutics to interpret Gnostic beliefs, and came back understanding how Heidegger was a - if not a Gnostic - in the same “Gnostic predicament” as the rootless world-citizens of late Hellenism.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Imperdível para estudo do Gnosticismo
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 30, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Espetacular e rigoroso, riquíssimo material para pesquisa. Não se pode falar em estudo do Gnosticismo sem esta obra como referência.
    Report
  • SP
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books
    Reviewed in Canada on October 22, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The gnostic religion is so vivid and rich, and somehow still relevant now. Jonas is a great writer who appreciates the old myths and can interpret their meaning and their history. Strongly recommended. An underappreciated classic.
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  • Walbervan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essencial!
    Reviewed in Brazil on May 10, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Uma pbra fundamental para os interessados em gnosticismo e cristianismo dos primeiros séculos!
    Report
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