The Discovery of the Nag Hammadi Texts: A Firsthand Account of the Expedition That Shook the Foundations of Christianity

by Jean Doresse

Details the momentous discovery and significance of the ancient gnostic texts hidden for sixteen centuries in Chenoboskion, Egypt

• Author was a member of the party that discovered these ancient Coptic documents

• Sheds new light on the vanished world in which Christianity was born

• 40,000 copies sold of earlier editions

• Includes the first translation of the Gospel of Thomas, with full commentary

Hidden for sixteen centuries, the Nag Hammadi library, the most prodigious collection of sacred gnostic texts, were discovered in the late 1940s in Chenoboskion, a remote hamlet in upper Egypt. Among them was the Gospel according to Thomas, which aroused international publicity and alerted the world to the significance of this archeological find, believed by many scholars to surpass the Dead Sea Scrolls in importance.

The Discovery of the Nag Hammadi Texts is the original survey of the contents of these documents and their significance to the world at large. Doresse's narrative allows readers direct contact with an ancient form of Christianity through the philosophical wealth of the texts-ranging from gnostic revelations and Christian apocrypha to Hermetic literature-Included in the book is the original English translation of the Gospel of Thomas first published in 1960.

Genres: Religion

384 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2005

Reviews

[Groobly Grimble Gromble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid book that provides a great overview of the various Gnostic groups that once existed in Antiquity and the Medieval period as well as shining a light on the streams of Gnostic thought that persisted through groups like the Manichaeans.

A very nice inclusion in this book is the Gospel of Thomas, a collection of purported quotes of Jesus. While I am familiar with this text and have it collected in other gnostic tomes, I found its presentation in this particular book especially helpful, as the author included a chart that cross references each of these sayings of Jesus with each of the true canonical Gospels; this allows the reader to easily tell which of the sayings originates in scripture and which may come from the Gnostics.

If I were to list any negatives, the text can get a bit dry at times, especially when diving into the deep end of the obscure and sometimes schizophrenic gnostic myths and lore. Also the subtitle of "an expedition that shook the foundations of Christianity" seemed a little exaggerated, as none of the stuff discussed in this book discredits the Faith at all; if anything, the juxtaposition of the insane and sometimes self-contradictory gnostic lore with the logical and historically-based teachings of Christian orthodoxy seems to strengthen the latter's foundations, not shake them.

Overall a solid book for those interested in Gnostics and Christian heresies.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very revealing about Gnosticism and it's ancient history. The author has been able to see and read many original records found mostly in Egypt, but in other Mediterranean countries that were hidden for preservation. Comparing these records/writings to some already knows and the Christian writings makes for interesting reading. Aside from there, it is a hard read because of the style of writing and the language used to describe the old knowledge.
Be prepared to read a little at a time in order to assimilate this wonderful new knowledge.
Also, carefully read added info. at the end and addendum.

[Kjǫlsigʀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dense work to be sure, but absolutely wonderful reading for anyone interested in Gnosticism, the early days of the Christ-infection, or the secret face of the Jewes' god.