A Dictionary of Gnosticism is a scholarly yet accessible guide that covers the people, mythology, movements, scripture, and technical terms related to this pre-Christian Western religion. It contains nearly 1700 entries, from Aachiaram, an angel in the 'Secret Book of John to Zostrianos', a third-century Gnostic text, and is a reliable reference for the Nag Hammadi library and other Gnostic texts. An introduction explains who the Gnostics were and provides a whirlwind tour through the history of this captivating movement.
Review
"This book is the answer to the prayers of students and practitioners of Gnosticism from far and wide. Andrew Phillip Smith has given us a readable, informative and accurate compendium of words, names and concepts of Gnostic interest that will be welcomed and used abundantly. " -- Dr. Stephan A. Hoeller , Bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica and author of Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing ― Reviews
"Not only is this an excellent aid for anyone trying to make sense out of the complicated cosmologies and scriptures of the ancient Gnostics, but it also provides an overview of gnostic movements and mystics down through the centuries. " -- Jay Kinney , author of The Masonic Myth and The Inner West ― Reviews
"A long-awaited and indispensable grammar of classical Gnosticism - essential for any serious student, and a practical gem for the curious. " -- Jordan Stratford , author of Living Gnosticism ― Reviews
"More than a dictionary for reference and research, this book is an index of ideas and suggestions. Readers interested in Gnosticism and related alternative religions of earlier times will find a whole host of new ideas and leads and directions for further inquiry. Think of the book as a thousand starting points for your explorations into spiritual unknowns" -- Stevan Davies , Professor of Religious Studies, Misericordia University ― Reviews
" A Dictionary of Gnosticism is a valuable resource for any student of Gnosis. If you need a helpful translator of the language, or a sympathetic guide to the beliefs of these extraordinary women and men who lived a long time ago, in a world far, far away, then this is the book for you. Think of it as the 'Lonely Cosmos Guide to Gnosis', and always pack a copy when you are setting out for that strange and exciting country. Have a great trip! " -- Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy , authors of The Jesus Mysteries and The Gospel of the Second Coming ― Reviews
About the Author
Andrew Phillip Smith was born and grew up in Penarth in South Wales in the United Kingdom and took his degree in computer science at the University College of Wales, Swansea. From 1987, Andrew worked in computing in London, including a two-year stint providing technical support for the publishers Harcourt Brace. From 1997-2007 Andrew lived in Northern California near the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where he began his writing career. In his time he busked on the streets of London playing a small harp, delivering leaflets, working as a security guard, as a letterpress printer, and as a librarian to a private library. He now lives in Dublin, Ireland, with his wife Tessa Finn and his son Dylan. In addition to writing, Andrew edits The Gnostic , a small press magazine devoted to Gnosticism in all its forms and runs Bardic Press, a small publishing company publishing reprints and niche works in the areas of Gnosticism and early Christianity, Celtic interest, Gurdjieff/Fourth Way and Sufi poetry. His interests include early Christianity and Gnosticism, esoterica, Welsh and other Celtic mythology, the Fourth Way, graphic novels, and poetry. He is learning to play the uilleann pipes, the irish bagpipes.
Product Description
A Dictionary of Gnosticism is a scholarly yet accessible guide that covers the people, mythology, movements, scripture, and technical terms related to this pre-Christian Western religion. It contains nearly 1700 entries, from Aachiaram, an angel in the 'Secret Book of John to Zostrianos', a third-century Gnostic text, and is a reliable reference for the Nag Hammadi library and other Gnostic texts. An introduction explains who the Gnostics were and provides a whirlwind tour through the history of this captivating movement.
Review
"This book is the answer to the prayers of students and practitioners of Gnosticism from far and wide. Andrew Phillip Smith has given us a readable, informative and accurate compendium of words, names and concepts of Gnostic interest that will be welcomed and used abundantly.
" -- Dr. Stephan A. Hoeller , Bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica and author of Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing ― Reviews
"Not only is this an excellent aid for anyone trying to make sense out of the complicated cosmologies and scriptures of the ancient Gnostics, but it also provides an overview of gnostic movements and mystics down through the centuries.
" -- Jay Kinney , author of The Masonic Myth and The Inner West
― Reviews
"A long-awaited and indispensable grammar of classical Gnosticism - essential for any serious student, and a practical gem for the curious.
" -- Jordan Stratford , author of Living Gnosticism
― Reviews
"More than a dictionary for reference and research, this book is an index of ideas and suggestions. Readers interested in Gnosticism and related alternative religions of earlier times will find a whole host of new ideas and leads and directions for further inquiry. Think of the book as a thousand starting points for your explorations into spiritual unknowns" -- Stevan Davies , Professor of Religious Studies, Misericordia University ― Reviews
" A Dictionary of Gnosticism is a valuable resource for any student of Gnosis. If you need a helpful translator of the language, or a sympathetic guide to the beliefs of these extraordinary women and men who lived a long time ago, in a world far, far away, then this is the book for you. Think of it as the 'Lonely Cosmos Guide to Gnosis', and always pack a copy when you are setting out for that strange and exciting country. Have a great trip!
" -- Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy , authors of The Jesus Mysteries and The Gospel of the Second Coming
― Reviews
About the Author
Andrew Phillip Smith was born and grew up in Penarth in South Wales in the United Kingdom and took his degree in computer science at the University College of Wales, Swansea. From 1987, Andrew worked in computing in London, including a two-year stint providing technical support for the publishers Harcourt Brace. From 1997-2007 Andrew lived in Northern California near the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where he began his writing career. In his time he busked on the streets of London playing a small harp, delivering leaflets, working as a security guard, as a letterpress printer, and as a librarian to a private library. He now lives in Dublin, Ireland, with his wife Tessa Finn and his son Dylan. In addition to writing, Andrew edits The Gnostic , a small press magazine devoted to Gnosticism in all its forms and runs Bardic Press, a small publishing company publishing reprints and niche works in the areas of Gnosticism and early Christianity, Celtic interest, Gurdjieff/Fourth Way and Sufi poetry. His interests include early Christianity and Gnosticism, esoterica, Welsh and other Celtic mythology, the Fourth Way, graphic novels, and poetry. He is learning to play the uilleann pipes, the irish bagpipes.