Gnosticism For Dummies

An accessible and accurate guide to gnostic faith and philosophy Gnosticism For Dummies walks you through the mythology, literature, and essential texts of Gnosticism, an early form of Christianity and current New Age religion and philosophy embedded in pop culture. This guide strips away the stigma, confusion, and misunderstandings surrounding the philosophy and explains, in clear language, the history and teachings of Gnosticism—including discussions on important gnostic writings known as the Nag Hammadi—and how it has endured across centuries. From discovering key gnostic beliefs, including dualism, views on Jesus Christ, and how the “divine spark” relates to salvation to discovering how gnostic philosophy is interwoven in our world, Gnosticism For Dummies provides a comprehensive look. Inside: Explore various social movements that rely on or incorporate gnostic thought, with examples from the past and presentDiscover how Gnosticism has connected to and influenced politicsExamine pop culture, including movies and video games, that describe gnostic philosophyCompare the major branches of gnostic thought and discussions of how they differ from mainstream Christianity An extraordinary and informative book perfect for newcomers and people interested in gnostic thought, Gnosticism For Dummies is a demystifying must-read that explores early Christian beliefs not covered in the Bible.