Pistis Sophia: A Gnostic Gospel

By G.R.S. Mead, G.R.S. (George Robert Stow) Mead, G. R. S. Mead

Book Overview

This hardback edition of the Pistis Sophia is a complete and accurate reprint of the original translation by G.R.S. Mead in 1921. It contains all of Mead's original notes and running commentary, as well as his annotated bibliography, which includes numerous sources and further research material for the reader.The Pistis Sophia is a gnostic text thought to have been written sometime between the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. According to Mead, there were two codices discovered in the late 18th century containing the original work. The Bruce Codex was brought to Oxford by the famous Scottish traveler Bruce in 1769, and the Askew Codex was given to the British Museum by the heirs of a wealthy doctor in 1785. Both codices were thereafter translated by experts and their contents ordered in a fashion that seemed proper according to their best abilities. Mead's translation followed these efforts, but as he says in his introduction, the order of the contents was changed "to place the contents of these Coptic translations roughly in such a sequence that the reader may be led from lower to higher grades of the Gnosis."The Pistis Sophia itself is of such a marvelous and complex nature, that it is hard to describe in a short space. But generally, the book shows the risen Jesus revealing the lower and higher mysteries to a group of his followers over the period of 22 years. Included in these mysteries are complex cosmologies that the human soul must travel through in order to reach Gnosis with the Father. A new story of the rise and fall of a restorative figure known as the Pistis Sophia is also given by Christ.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1946774014
• ISBN13: 9781946774019
• Release Date: February 2017
• Publisher: Mockingbird Press
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Pistis Sophia

I love this book, every time you reread the text you will discover a new truth, Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Peter are compelling in their discourses. The Magdalene proves her superiority as to understanding Jesus'words, compared to the knowledge and understanding of the male diciples. It is easy to see why "He loved her best". It is best to have a basic understanding of Gnosticism to receive the most from the "first read". You will want to read it again and again.

"Pistis Sophia" a Masterpiece of Gnosis

All true seekers of Gnosis should study this remarkable book, illuminating masterpiece showing part of the pre-advent and post-resurrectional work and transcendent teachings of Lord Jesus.

"extraordinaire"

Ignore the 5 stars and put 6 stars instead! I am still wandering why it took such a long time for me to review this extraordinary gospel. This is one of the most easy to read and follow gospel within the Gnostic gospels, and indeed amongst many of the gospels. The language is clear and the gospel is well structured. Pistis is indeed a rare gospel: it tells of the secret words that you must say for you to reach the highest God and Goddess (not the God of creation); it informs you of the many gods and goddesses that exist and the levels of space they occupy. Mind you, all these is said by Jesus himself, that is the Gnostic Jesus. Mary Magdala (Jesus' partner) is so intelligent in her questions and answers, in fact Jesus tells her that her spirit has been purified and therefore at its best (of course hoping that this is a genuine praise and not based on partner favouritism). But yes, Mary Magadala, beside the praises from her partner, is quite outstanding. She even tells Jesus that she is scared of Peter since St Peter hates the female race! Do not expect anything canonical or convetional from this gospel. It is a very disturbing gospel, yet very powerful indeed. It even explains the difficult parables: "5 will be in a house and 3 will rise against 2 and 2 against 3..." It also explains the parable of the coin - give to Caesar that which belongs to him... This is one gospel, which I must concur, I also do not understand why it has not received much attention as the other gospels!

A great introduction to Christian Gnostic Universe

Although considered a minor Gnostic text by some scholars of Gnosticism, this document provides an excellent introduction to the universe of a Christian Gnostic of the time of Christ. After reading this I would suggest to go on to "Nag Hammadi" and "The Apocryphal New Testament : A Collection of Apocryphal Christian Literature in an English Translation."