The Gnostic Scriptures

by Bentley Layton (Editor), David Brakke (Editor)

Overview

A collection of extra-biblical scriptures written by the gnostics, updated with three ancient texts including the recently discovered Gospel of Judas

“The one indispensable book for the understanding of Gnosis and Gnosticism.”—Harold Bloom

This definitive introduction to the gnostic scriptures provides a crucial look at the theology, religious atmosphere, and literary traditions of ancient Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism. It provides authoritative translations of ancient texts from Greek, Latin, and Coptic, with introductions, bibliographies, and annotations. The texts are organized to reflect the history of gnosticism in the second through fourth century CE. This second edition provides updates throughout and adds three new ancient texts, including the recently discovered Gospel of Judas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300208542
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	07/06/2021
Series:	The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	760
Sales rank:	535,987
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.52(d)

About the Author

Bentley Layton is the Goff Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Yale University. David Brakke is the Joe R. Engle Chair in the History of Christianity and Professor of History at the Ohio State University.

Editorial Reviews

This very well-presented set of excellent translations can be expected to continue to find a productive place in the classroom and on the researcher’s desk.”—Journal for the Study of the New Testament Booklist

“The one indispensable book for the understanding of Gnosis and Gnosticism.”—Harold Bloom

“Bentley Layton’s unparalleled collection puts together a range of ancient ‘gnostic’ writings nowhere else bound into a single volume. With David Brakke’s breathtaking translations of three new ancient documents, this book will be even more useful than the first edition.”—Nicola Denzey Lewis, author of Introduction to “Gnosticism”

“Bentley Layton’s Gnostic Scriptures has been a vade mecum for a generation of scholars and students; David Brakke’s important new edition will ensure its influence for the generation to come.“—Bart D. Ehrman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

From the Publisher

Layton renders some of the enigmatic literature of gnostic Christianity a bit less baffling, primarily for nonspecialists. The general introduction explains his selection of documents (classic gnostic scripture, writings of Valentinus and his followers, and related writings that display gnostic elements) and places them within the milieu of early Christian literature. Introductions to the individual translations explain content, literary background, characters (where appropriate), and textual information. Extensive introductory material, lucid translation, and plentiful annotations, all relatively free of jargon, make this a fine introduction to the thought and literature of Gnosticism. Recommended for academic libraries and for public libraries where there is interest. Craig W. Beard, Harding Univ. Lib., Searcy, Ark.

Library Journal