The Early Christian Gnostics:  The Gnostic Tradition was initially proclaimed by a number of teachers, who presided over their individual schools of Gnosis.  While the core of their teachings was well-neigh identical, they approached the Gnostic message in individual ways.  The diversity of myths, cosmologies, metaphors and symbols brought forth by the great Gnostic teachers brings us a fascinating and rich presentation of a tradition based on the insight of many visionary and prophetic teachers.

The individual titles are:

• From Essenes to Christian Gnostics: Dead Sea Scrolls lead to the Alexandrian and Syrian Gnosis of Simon, Valentinus, Basilides, Marcion, Bardesanes and other seers and sages. 74:15 #101400. 74:15 #101400, the free introductory title.
• Thomas, the Gnostic Apostle and his Tradition. Who was the author of the “Gospel of Thomas” and other related scriptures? Was he the founder of a Gnostic school of Christianity, extending to India? Or was he merely “Doubting Thomas” as he is represented by mainstream orthodoxy? 77:26 #101401
• Was St. Paul a Gnostic? The “Apostle of the Gentiles” was always known for many highly mystical and symbolic statements. He also might have been a great Gnostic teacher as indicated by an early book by Elaine Pagels entitled “The Gnostic Paul”. 75:35 #101402
• John, the Gnostic Baptizer. The Mandaean Gnosis regards John as a major redeemer figure. Mandaeans are a Middle Eastern Gnostic group that survived since apostolic times. This lecture contains numerous quotations from the Mandaean John Book, a rare source of Johannine Gnosis. 71:22 #101403
• Valentinus, Gnostic Poet of Light. Valentinus, who almost became bishop of Rome (Pope) is the most inspired and lyrical of the Gnostic teachers. His reputed works include “Pistis Sophia” and “The Gospel of Truth”. 70:41 #101404
• Marcion and his Gnostic Critique of the Bible. Regarded by many as the father of higher Biblical Criticism, Marcion was also the leader of a well-organized and widespread Gnostic church, branches of which survived for several centuries. 72:31 #101405
• Basilides and his Mystic Vision. Basilides’ vision disclosed the highest transcendental Deity and its relation to human experience. In modern times, C.G. Jung mystically ascribed his “Seven Sermons” to Basilides. 69:35 #101406
• Carpocrates and the Gnostic Challenge to the Law. The libertarian and libertine element in early Gnostic schools, such as the Carpocratians, Sethian, Borborites and others. The importance of being free from the law. 71:58 #101407
• Saturninus, Menander and Cerinthus. Heirs of the Gnosis of Simon Magus, their Palistinian Gnosis may have served as an early source for the Kabbalistic tradition. 71:15 #101408
• The Teachings of Bardesanes, and of the Cainites and Docetae. Bardesanes (Bar Daisan), who converted the kingdom of Edessa to Gnostic Christianity. Some less well known early Gnostic schools. 76:41 #101409
• Mani and the Manichaean Tradition: The most widely spread of the schools of the Gnosis and its ever timely teachings. The message of the Persian prophet Mani was the most influential form of Gnosis for over one thousand years. 74:41 #101410
• The Mandaeans; the oldest living Gnostic Religion. An Italian scholar’s insightful discoveries. New information about the oldest Gnostic religion that survived in unbroken line to this time, although greatly decimated by modern wars in the Middle East. 74:24 #101411