The Nag Hammadi Library: The History and Legacy of the Ancient Gnostic Texts Rediscovered in the 20th Century

by Unknown Nag Hammadi, Charles River Editors

*Includes excerpts from the texts
*Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading
Many people interested in biblical themes know about the Dead Sea Scrolls and their guardians, the mysterious Essenes, the sect of Judaism that hid its priceless library in caves before marching against the Romans in an end-time war, certain that God would intervene at the decisive moment. The ancient texts found in their rock cabinets have produced tons of literature. Fewer people know about an equally fascinating finding in the same region of the planet, made only a few months a collection of hitherto unknown Christian codices, buried in the 4th century AD, and found accidentally by peasants near the city of Nag Hammadi, Upper Egypt. Among the old codices was The Gospel of Thomas, lost for sixteen centuries, and other unfamiliar titles such as The Gospel of Philip and the Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles.
In this case it was not Essenes who had entrusted them to the protection of the caves and the centuries, but monks who followed a now forgotten variant of Christianity called Gnosticism. The Gnostics were mystics who had no real use or hope for the world. Their writings became forbidden when the Church defined the canon of the books authorized to be read in the congregation. For some reason, instead of burning them, the monks of Nag Hammadi decided to entrust them to posterity, perhaps waiting for better times.
The library of Nag Hammadi, Egypt is as significant in the study of early Christianity as the writings of the Essenes to the understanding of Judaism during the time of the Roman occupation. Considering the history of religions, they were composed at the opposite sides of that watershed that was the 1st century CE, which witnessed the birth of Christianity and the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem. The Dead Sea Scrolls belonged to a community that lived before the traumatic destruction of Holy City and its temple at the hands of the Romans. The library of Nag Hammadi was produced and buried by a group of Christians whose ancestors had left their place of origin many years before.
Although all the titles of the Nag Hammadi library are not known, many people have heard about its most famous The Gospel of Thomas —at one time it was discussed whether it should be included in the New Testament— and The Gospel of Philip, which tried to revive the debate around the identity of Mary "Why do you love her more than all of us?" asks a disconcerted Peter to Jesus. Finally, the Nag Hammadi texts have led many scholars to reconsider the rigid canons imposed by the early Church, and the readers to find a more intimate religion that turned upside down many postulates of Christian orthodoxy. Along with the history of their discovery in 1945, the analysis of the main texts that form this collection, the exposition of their most important beliefs, and the reasons for their suppression in the 4th century CE, you will learn about the unknown gospels and the Gnostic texts of Nag Hammadi like never before.

Genres: Religion, History

62 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 400

About the author

The unknown authors of the nag Hammadi library.

Chosen to be named that way because the large group of Unknown authors on Goodreads makes combining editions impossible due to time outs.

At least in this way all Nag Hammadi texts can be found in one place.

Reviews

[Contentmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Excellent introduction on the Nag Hammadi library** A comprehensive introduction on what the library is all about in clear and simple terms. Highly recommend as a starting point for this library of ancient books.

[Jovana Purdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

I've been on a journey the last year and these texts have been instrumental in, me , seeing the truth of this life and the rest . Thank you

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Perspective on Early Christianiy

This book is direct and very clear about the contents of these lost letters and gospels. Overall the information is useful in concluding that Christianity is another man made religion created by those in power who use religion to justify their esteemed titles. Jesus may have existed but I don't believe he ever intended for a pope, bishop or priest to live a lavish lifestyle while millions live in squalor. This book may indicate the real direction that christianity was intended to have gone. This religious direction was seized by corrupt power mongers who have:
1. Justified wars in the name of their god
2. Destroyed innocent people in order to maintain their position of power.
3. Stockpiled humongous stores of wealth even in contradiction to their own doctrines
4. Published man-made edicts that are declared DIVINE REVELATIONS.

This book indicates the possible direction that christianity could have taken. Christians speak of other religions as mythologies, but in truth they also belong to the same category. Humans are the sole authors of their own self created gods.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book goes into how the writings involving Essene beliefs were hidden and, over time, damaged. Their discovery is covered along with how some of the papers were destroyed. It also points out how Egypt nationalized all the codices which is interesting especially considering how they have put strong restrictions on examination of the Sphinx and other structures.

The library goes into Gnostic writings and include information on ones such as the Gospel of Thomas (allegedly sayings of Jesus), The Gospel of Truth, The Secret Book of John, the Gospel of Philip and a number of others.

The book also includes some online resources and a bibliography.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent neutral presentation of both the Nag hammadi/gnostic codices and the Dead Sea/Coptic scrolls, their rediscovery, condition, and relevance. It also serves as an incidental condemnation of the time honored practice of banning and burning books.
Jim D Johnston delivers the narration clearly and nonjudgmentally.

[Linda Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not enlightening

There wasn't much that added to Biblical understanding. There is a lot that is more like a mythology of God, demi-gods, spirits, and games of cat (gods) and mouse (mankind).

[Ma Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair and balanced book

Fair representation of the Dead Sea scrolls and nag hammadi codices. It does not dismiss them outright but does seem to be fair and balanced view of Gnosticism as it was presented, which is far from what was told to people before there discovery.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This edition does not give you all of the written information. There is a lot of editorializing and discussion of where these scripts were found. Overall, it is fascinating information. This version is very short.

[Amber Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Perfect Start to my Studies

I found this book to be greatly illuminating and fascinating, and was a great historical beginning to the larger and more detailed books I plan to read next about the Nag Hammadi Library.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short book by Charles River editors and just covers the discovery of the nag Hammadi documents and is a brief description of each article.

[Kaelin Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the Nag Hammadi scriptures, especially interesting in case you'd like to know more about the history of Christianity and Gnosticism.