‘Exploring Gnosticism’ introduces the ‘other side’ of ancient Christianity. Through an examination of ancient Christian writings, such as The Secret Book of John, The Gospel of Judas, and The Gospel of Mary (and many others), the module will explore the theology, rituals, and beliefs of the ancient Gnostics. From the 1st to the 5th centuries AD, communities of Christians emerged in the ancient Mediterranean and Persian worlds, whose ideas about Jesus Christ, Church organisation, and sacred texts differed greatly from those of the so-called established churches. These Christians, referred to as the ‘Knowers’ (i.e. Gnostics), produced some of the most important religious writings from the late-antique period, the majority of which first came to light in 1944 in Egypt, known as the Nag Hammadi library. These texts reveal a very different Christianity from the more familiar Christian teachings of the time, the differences evident in Gnostic ideas of sin, sacrifice, theology, and gender. Over the course of time, the Gnostics were transformed by their opponents into the arch-heretics of Christianity, and their literature and ideas about the world were lost. This module will present in an accessible manner, the fruits of 70 years of academic research on ancient Gnostic and Manichaean writings since the time of the re-emergence of ancient Gnostic texts and traditions, in addition to examining the continuing appeal of ancient Gnostic spirituality in the modern world.

Knowledge:

 Identify, discuss and critically evaluate, in assessed coursework and timed examination the following:

- The distinctive cultural, theological, ritual and ascetic features of ancient Gnostic religions

the correlative concern of recognising the advantages but also limitations of thinking about these diverse traditions according to a single categorical model

- The social and cultural contexts of Gnostic religions, with an emphasis on identifying specific local issues, such as geographic, political and linguistic factors

-A variety of narrative, literary and visual sources composed by Gnostic religions; and, to problematise the use of these sources in developing an impression of the religions which produced them

- The pejorative classification of Gnostic religions by ancient and modern commentators

- To discuss the reception-history of Gnosticism in the early modern world, and in contemporary thought and culture

Understanding and Analysis:

To understand the historical and social context of ancient Gnosticism, by:-

- Analysing  and evaluating the role of ancient sources in the reconstruction of ‘extinct’ religions and cultures

- And, evaluating the forms and roles of historiography and heresiology in the reconstruction of ‘extinct’ religions and cultures

Developing:

- The ability to critically evaluate written and visual materials

- The ability to prepare and discuss issues arising from lectures and seminars in a group context

- The ability to write in a coherent and organised manner about a complex series of problems and issues

Teaching will be by lectures (20 hours) and student-led seminars (10 hours). There will also be opportunities for individual meetings with the tutor to receive feedback on draft essays.

Intellectual Skills:

-Think critically about issues of religion, culture, and society in a historical context.

- Analyse and evaluate the role of ancient sources in the reconstruction of ‘extinct’ religions and cultures.

- Evaluate the forms and role of historiography in the reconstruction of ‘extinct’ religions and cultures.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

- Contextualise ancient literary (in translation) and material sources within their specific religious, theological, cultural and political milieu.

Transferable Skills:

- The ability to critically evaluate written and visual materials.

- The ability to prepare and discuss issues arising from lectures and seminars in a group context.

- The ability to write in a coherent and organised manner about a complex series of problems and issues

Summative Assessment will comprise the following:

 - An examination of 2 hours (worth 50% of the final mark)

 - One 2,000 word essay (worth 50% of the final mark)

• Introduction to the module: read through the Module Handbook as a group
• Introduction to the problems and approaches in studying ancient Gnosticism
• Overview and analysis of the historical development of the academic study of Gnosticism
• Introduction to the polemical strategies of anti-Gnostic Patristic and Heresiological Authors: Irenaeus, Epiphanius, Augustine et al.
• Recapitulation of anti-Gnostic Patristic typologies
• Introduction to the Nag Hammadi (NH) Library: dominant methods of approach to the study of the codices – Sethian, Valentinian, and Thomasian Gnosticism
• Sethian texts and traditions from the NH Library
• Valentinian texts and traditions from the NH Library
• Thomasian texts and traditions from the NH Library
• Recapitulation of the first semester
• Lecture and Seminar: ‘What made the Gnostics so dangerous?’ (Elaine Pagels)
• Readings from the Gospel of Judas; and, Pagel’s The Gnostic Gospels will form the basis for this session
• Lecture and Seminar: The Universal Gnostics? The Emergence of Manichaeism in Late Antiquity
• Readings to include: The Roman Emperors (‘The Tetrarchs’) on the Appearance of the Manichaeans in the Roman World; Peter Brown, ‘The Diffusion of Manichaeism in the Roman Empire’.
• Lecture and Seminar: The Teachings of Mani
• Readings from Manichaean texts, in I. Gardner and S.N.C. Lieu, Manichaean Texts from the Later Roman Empire, including Mani’s Shaburagan, Letter of the Foundation, and The Living Gospel. Lecture and Seminar: The Domestication of Gnosis?
• A Manichaean Community in late Roman Egypt Readings from the collection of texts from Kellis in the Dakhleh Oasis.
• Student-led Presentations Lecture and Seminar: ‘A Big Myth and a Long Lie’: Patristic Reactions to Manichaeism: Readings from Hegemonius’
• The Acts of Archelaus, Epiphanius’ Panarion, and Augustine’s De haeresibus.
• Lecture and Seminar: ‘The Afterlife of Gnosticism and Manichaeism: Gnostic-Manichaean Ideas in Islam, Mediaeval Christian Theology, the Reformation and the Enlightenment’.
• Readings from Pierre Bayle’s Dictionary; Baker-Brian, ‘Manichaeism’; and, R. Smith, ‘The Modern Relevance of Gnosticism’.

Suggested book purchases

B. Layton, The Gnostic Scriptures: A New Translation with annotations and introductions (1995)

I. Gardner and S.N.C. Lieu, Manichaean Texts from the Roman Empire (2004)

Indicative Bibliography:

Suggested preparatory reading

K. King, What is Gnosticism? (2003)

A. Logan, Gnostic Truth and Christian Heresy: A Study in the History of Gnosticism (1996)

N.J. Baker-Brian, Manichaeism: An Ancient Faith Rediscovered (2011)

Primary sources

Layton; Lieu and Gardner (see above, Suggested Purchases)