The Gospel of Truth as the Gospel of the Saved Saviors (original) (raw)
Related papers
Gnosis: Journal of the Study of Gnosticism, 2021
A modified version will be published in Gnosis Vol. 1 2021. In this article, I present a new reading of the Gospel of Truth, Nag Hammadi Codex I.3. Although Gnostics often have been described as taking part in the Godhead, the consequences are understudied. According to my analysis, the knowers are not subordinated to, but on equal footing with the Savior. Here, I draw the attention to some gradual processes. The Savior understands more and develops in the encounter with the need of others, saved as well as not yet saved. Through mission and deepening insight, the knowers more and more actualize themselves as Saviors, thereby embodying divinity. The consequence of this is a gradual actualization of the godhead itself. As the knowers gradually are enlightened and their divine nature disclosed, the insight of the godhead accordingly evolves. Thus, mutuality is a key concept. The Saviors cannot actualize their own nature without first having been saved and then they need to save others. The godhead, Saviors and saved are interdependent. The godhead evolves into actualized divinity through the evolving enlightenment of all its parts. Thus, the daily-life encountering with others is of fundamental importance on all levels, from the individual to the cosmic.
In this article, I present a new reading of the Gospel of Truth, Nag Hammadi Codex I.3. Although Gnostics often have been described as taking part in the Godhead, the consequences are understudied. According to my analysis, the knowers are not subordinated to, but on equal footing with the Savior. Here, I draw the attention to some gradual processes. The Savior understands more and develops in the encounter with the need of others, saved as well as not yet saved. Through mission and deepening insight, the knowers more and more actualize themselves as Saviors, thereby embodying divinity. The consequence of this is a gradual actualization of the godhead itself. As the knowers gradually are enlightened and their divine nature disclosed, the insight of the godhead accordingly evolves. Thus, mutuality is a key concept. The Saviors cannot actualize their own nature without first having been saved and then they need to save others. The godhead, Saviors and saved are interdependent. The godhead evolves into actualized divinity through the evolving enlightenment of all its parts. Thus, the daily-life encountering with others is of fundamental importance on all levels, from the individual to the cosmic.
A Way of Salvation: Becoming Like God in Nag Hammadi
Numen 60 (2013) 71–102, 2013
Contrary to general belief, ethical progress as a means to attain the divine and thereby achieve salvation occupies a central place in the Nag Hammadi writings. Plato's conception of the homoiosis theo or "likeness to god" fijits very well this dynamic view of man, since it optimistically claims the possibility of human development and progress. Plato's dialogues are far from offfering a univocal exposition of how this progress was fulfijilled, but later Platonists show a rather systematizing tendency. The present paper provides an overview of the homoiosis theo in the Platonic dialogues and evaluates its appropriation by both Middle Platonism and the world of Gnosis. It also offfers an exposition and analysis of those Nag Hammadi writings that may allow a proper understanding of the meaning and goal of the homoiosis theo in this collection of texts.
The Journal of Theological Studies, 2008
Barth delivered the lectures that form the basis of this commentary in Basel during the winter of 1940-41, five years after he had been banned from his teaching post in Bonn for his criticism of the Nazi regime. The historical context gives added interest to his reflection on Rom 9-11. While Barth does little to mitigate what he takes to be an account of Israel's disobedience in those chapters, he forcefully refutes the idea that the Jews have been finally rejected by God, calling anti-Semitism the "most potent form of disobedience." God wills the "disobedient Synagogue," according to Barth, in order to extend mercy to the world. However, if the Jews' "rejection" is the Gentiles' gain, the latter's ultimate hope depends on the inclusion of Israel-and the last word has not been spoken on those whom God has "hardened." More broadly, this commentary is presented as an explication of Paul's claim in Rom 1 : 17 that the Gospel reveals the righteousness of God. Although it is the "power of God for salvation," the Gospel initially confronts humanity with God's wrath, the object of which is the sinner's mistaken selfconfidence. Salvation, the "good centre in the hard shell," lies in the acceptance of the guilty verdict borne by Jesus Christ. The believer is not made righteous in appearance only, but "seriously," and his task is to live according to the "new order" of which he is a part-or, as Barth puts it, the "imperative" is explained by the "indicative." The current volume is a reprint of the original English translation from 1959.
Beyond righteousness and transgression
2011
In this article the problems of replacing the category Gnosticism with Christianity is discussed. Based on results from the author’s studies of The Gospel of Truth from Nag Hammadi the author sugge ...
Disciples Theology: The Revelation of God -- chapter 2 .docx
The Disciples of Christ (Stone-Campbell Movement) are non-creedal, and look to the Bible as the normative guide to theology. In recent years, Disciples understandings of how God is revealed have broadened. Scripture remains normative, but in what way? In this essay, which is designed to be a second chapter in a primer on Disciples Theology, explores questions of revelation, understandings of the Word of God, the centrality of the New Testament, and ways in which Disciples read the Bible.
The Hidden Passion: A Novel of the Gnostic Christ Based on the Nag Hammadi Texts - Excerpts
2013
This is the tale of the Gnostic Christ, based on the ancient sources. In a compelling narrative, L. Caruana seamlessly weaves over 1500 sayings from the Nag Hammadi texts to recount The Hidden Passion of the Gnostic savior. Wandering round Galilee, increasingly hailed as the Messiah of the Five Seals, the Gnostic savior preaches divine awakening through compassion. But he must still contend with Judas, his dark twin, and Magdalene, his promised bride. At once earthly and spiritual, the Nazarene's love for these two is finally transfigured into a higher, hidden passion. Each page of this novel rings with the authentic message of the lost gospels. By combining numerous narrative fragments from the Nag Hammadi texts, The Hidden Passion makes the Gnostic Gospels come alive. Complete with a map, diagram and glossary, this novel elucidates the Gnostic worldview in an eloquent , engaging narrative.
A Comparative Study of Salvation from the Viewpoints of Motahari and Rahner Shahaboddin Vahidi
Religious Inquiries, 2019
Among the topics that can play an important role in interreligious dialogue and the relationship between civilizations and cultures is the topic of human salvation. In this article, we argue that salvation and redemption are not exclusive to the followers of a particular religion; rather, the followers of various religions can gain salvation with some conditions, such as the belief in God and moral integrity. With this approach, we can create a constructive dialogue among the followers of different religions, and prevent "the clash of civilizations." From an Islamic viewpoint, followers of other religions who seek the truth but have not been able to find it are considered innate Muslims. Comparatively, in Karl Rahner's thought, the followers of various religions can gain divine grace for their moral acts, faith, hope, love of neighbor, charity, and so forth. Rahner calls such people "anonymous Christians." According to these two viewpoints, a wide range of the followers of different religions can gain salvation.