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The Beliefnet Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities
This authoritative, fully accessible guide to early Christian movements sheds light on the hidden histories and intriguing mysteries that fueled the extraordinary success of books ranging from Dan Brown’s blockbuster The Da Vinci Code to Elaine Pagels’s critically acclaimed Beyond The Secret Gospel of Thomas.
From its earliest days, Christianity has been marked by a rich diversity of beliefs and practices. Different interpretations of Jesus’ life and mission, as well as conflicting views about worship and rituals, gave rise to numerous sects in the first centuries C.E. Condemned as heretical by the official Church, these early movements were lost to history until the twentieth century, when the discovery of ancient documents opened a new perspective on the evolution of Christianity.
The Beliefnet® Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities is a fascinating look at the diverse strands of the early Christian church. It examines the alternative Christian ideas propagated by the Gnostics, Sethians, Valentinians, Marcionites, Encratites, and Montanists, illuminating the philosophical sources and religious traditions that fostered them. Special attention is given to sects that presented the greatest challenges to the developing the Hermeticists, the Manicheans, and the Neoplatonists. There are also thought-provoking discussions about the secret Gospel of Mark and the Gospels of Mary and Thomas, and the newly discovered Gospel of the Savior.
From the premier source of information on religion and spirituality, the Beliefnet Guides introduce you to the major traditions, leaders, and issues of faith in the world today.
From its earliest days, Christianity has been marked by a rich diversity of beliefs and practices. Different interpretations of Jesus’ life and mission, as well as conflicting views about worship and rituals, gave rise to numerous sects in the first centuries C.E. Condemned as heretical by the official Church, these early movements were lost to history until the twentieth century, when the discovery of ancient documents opened a new perspective on the evolution of Christianity.
The Beliefnet® Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities is a fascinating look at the diverse strands of the early Christian church. It examines the alternative Christian ideas propagated by the Gnostics, Sethians, Valentinians, Marcionites, Encratites, and Montanists, illuminating the philosophical sources and religious traditions that fostered them. Special attention is given to sects that presented the greatest challenges to the developing the Hermeticists, the Manicheans, and the Neoplatonists. There are also thought-provoking discussions about the secret Gospel of Mark and the Gospels of Mary and Thomas, and the newly discovered Gospel of the Savior.
From the premier source of information on religion and spirituality, the Beliefnet Guides introduce you to the major traditions, leaders, and issues of faith in the world today.
159 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 4, 2025
After reading 'The Secret Magdalene' by Ki Longfellow, which was heavily inspired by the early Gnostic Christians, I sought this book out to learn about these early Gnostic Christians, because until a few months ago, I'd never heard of them.
The book does as the title promises and briefly discusses the beliefs and known histories of several early Christian sects (Gnosticism is a term they didn't use for themselves, but one applied many centuries after the fact.) The book continues to also tell of other sects of Christianity that have since died out or were crushed by the Roman Empire when Christianity became the official religion of the state.
I learned about Sethianism, Valentinianism, Marcionsim, Montanism, and others. These are really just introductions though, and not at all exhaustive explorations of the sects. That would probably get a little dry. Ultimately, what I am most curious about is the diversity among the church in the first century. While some of these movements may have started in the first century, most started in the second and nearly all the information we have about them comes from the second century or later, as well as with orthodox Christianity.
This book has piqued my interest in the earliest diversity of the church. Unfortunately we don't have much information about the possible Johannine Community or others like it. Maybe we'll dig something up eventually.
I am impressed with the author, Richard Valantasis. I think he handles the material respectfully and has an entertaining style of writing.
The book does as the title promises and briefly discusses the beliefs and known histories of several early Christian sects (Gnosticism is a term they didn't use for themselves, but one applied many centuries after the fact.) The book continues to also tell of other sects of Christianity that have since died out or were crushed by the Roman Empire when Christianity became the official religion of the state.
I learned about Sethianism, Valentinianism, Marcionsim, Montanism, and others. These are really just introductions though, and not at all exhaustive explorations of the sects. That would probably get a little dry. Ultimately, what I am most curious about is the diversity among the church in the first century. While some of these movements may have started in the first century, most started in the second and nearly all the information we have about them comes from the second century or later, as well as with orthodox Christianity.
This book has piqued my interest in the earliest diversity of the church. Unfortunately we don't have much information about the possible Johannine Community or others like it. Maybe we'll dig something up eventually.
I am impressed with the author, Richard Valantasis. I think he handles the material respectfully and has an entertaining style of writing.
November 19, 2007
Book Description from Amazon.com
This authoritative, fully accessible guide to early Christian movements sheds light on the hidden histories and intriguing mysteries that fueled the extraordinary success of books ranging from Dan Brown’s blockbuster The Da Vinci Code to Elaine Pagels’s critically acclaimed Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas.
From its earliest days, Christianity has been marked by a rich diversity of beliefs and practices. Different interpretations of Jesus’ life and mission, as well as conflicting views about worship and rituals, gave rise to numerous sects in the first centuries C.E. Condemned as heretical by the official Church, these early movements were lost to history until the twentieth century, when the discovery of ancient documents opened a new perspective on the evolution of Christianity.
The Beliefnet® Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities is a fascinating look at the diverse strands of the early Christian church. It examines the alternative Christian ideas propagated by the Gnostics, Sethians, Valentinians, Marcionites, Encratites, and Montanists, illuminating the philosophical sources and religious traditions that fostered them. Special attention is given to sects that presented the greatest challenges to the developing orthodoxy: the Hermeticists, the Manicheans, and the Neoplatonists. There are also thought-provoking discussions about the secret Gospel of Mark and the Gospels of Mary and Thomas, and the newly discovered Gospel of the Savior.
This authoritative, fully accessible guide to early Christian movements sheds light on the hidden histories and intriguing mysteries that fueled the extraordinary success of books ranging from Dan Brown’s blockbuster The Da Vinci Code to Elaine Pagels’s critically acclaimed Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas.
From its earliest days, Christianity has been marked by a rich diversity of beliefs and practices. Different interpretations of Jesus’ life and mission, as well as conflicting views about worship and rituals, gave rise to numerous sects in the first centuries C.E. Condemned as heretical by the official Church, these early movements were lost to history until the twentieth century, when the discovery of ancient documents opened a new perspective on the evolution of Christianity.
The Beliefnet® Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities is a fascinating look at the diverse strands of the early Christian church. It examines the alternative Christian ideas propagated by the Gnostics, Sethians, Valentinians, Marcionites, Encratites, and Montanists, illuminating the philosophical sources and religious traditions that fostered them. Special attention is given to sects that presented the greatest challenges to the developing orthodoxy: the Hermeticists, the Manicheans, and the Neoplatonists. There are also thought-provoking discussions about the secret Gospel of Mark and the Gospels of Mary and Thomas, and the newly discovered Gospel of the Savior.
October 6, 2014
Fine introduction to a very interesting topic. The author is a professor and ordained episcopal priest and seems very knowledgeable about the subject. The book serves as an overview of various early Christian heresies and doesn't go very far into depth about any one of them. Very interesting stuff though.
June 26, 2012
I enjoyed this book as an interesting introduction to the subject, but would've prefered it to go more in depth and provide more sources.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews