Gnostic Philosophy: From Ancient Persia to Modern Times

A supremely well-researched, well-documented book. This book is not for your casual enthusiast nor someone looking for something brief. This book is dense, factual, and authoritative, yet somewhat impenetrable to those not accustomed to reading more scholarly, intellectual texts (myself excluded - I only read books like this). Instantly, one can tell that Churton is a true scholar of the field and I would challenge anyone to find someone more knowledgeable with this level of annotation. However, I do have some cautionary anecdotes.First, Churton seems to have an identity or (perhaps) a thematic crisis in the middle of the book. He spends the first several chapters (particularly 1-4) devoted exclusively to the Gnostics and their development, with an incredible attention to detail. However, the book does get bogged down severely in Chapter Six: The Troubadours. The author goes on a meticulously detailed outline of several major troubadours, their songs, etc, and only after spending no less than 39 pages exploring this (which isn't exactly relevant to the theme of Gnosticism) does he then tie it back and concludes the chapter in 1.5 pages. This seems like filler to me and I actually asked myself repeatedly, "So what does this have to do with the Gnostics?" The answer? Not much, except in some vague, cryptic way (Troubadours could be considered Gnostic and carriers of esoteric knowledge, and indeed were most active and prominent in the Languedoc, where the Cathars [Gnostics wiped out by the Catholic Church] lived, so I suppose there is some relevance), but my point is that to arrive at that conclusion, one must first march through all the fluff which seems drawn out and could be made more concise. To me this was the author showing off and I found it intellectually impressive, but ultimately, irrelevant.The same can be said for his chapters on Freemasonry. Again, one can see Churton's obvious personal interest in Masonic history (one which I share, to a lesser extent) and again, one can see his supreme intellect and research skills, but do I really need to know the entire timeline of Masonic development in France to understand Gnostic philosophical ideas? Absolutely not. Churton seems to recognize this periodically, and will tie it back together, but it comes off as distracted writing, albeit very high quality distracted writing.Yet, despite my criticisms, this book is an impressive one and a must-read for anyone curious about the Gnostics - any serious inquiries into all things Masonic, Gnostic, or even Templar, should begin with this book. I award 4 stars instead of 5 because as interesting as the material on Masons and Troubadours is, to someone who was looking for a book strictly about Gnostic philosophy and theology, they will find that material to be largely irrelevant.

_It is fitting that the author reminds us that both gnosis and jnana both come from the same root, i.e. knowledge. Specifically, in this application, it means knowledge leading to union with the divine._I read the author's previous book on this subject through at least three times over the years. I found his idea of the gnosis extending through history to the modern day as both valid and inspiring. No matter how overpowering was the dogma and worldly power of the age, a true spiritual path survived in the background down through the ages. A Golden Thread linked these ages. That is also true in this book, for as the author points out, you can start reading at any of the fourteen chapters and still find the Center, for the chapters mirror each other. This is because where ever this thread intersects with an age, that is where the Center is- stringing seemingly disparate and profane history together on a necklace of higher wisdom. All through history has the gnosis flowed, through the Vedists, Kabbalists, Magi, Neoplatonists, Hermeticists, Troubadours, Knights Templar, Cathars, through individual mystics, to modern day neo-gnostics._This is no soulless, academic, encyclopedic compilation of gnostic terminology, the inherent meaning of the subject shines through. The meaning of true Gnosis as union with god, or rather, the Divine spark and origin in all of us is repeatedly expounded. Moreover, it is shown that this is why mankind is different from other beings. We come here from beyond to grow through suffering and hard moral choices- and to ultimately awake to our Divine origins. The ultimate reason and purpose of this is that unconscious God may ultimately come to know Himself as conscious God. That was set in place from the beginning._One other small comment of my own on the gnostic concept of the lesser, deranged "creator god." I am not at all sure that at least some of the gnostic writers weren't referring to the Romans here. It is well known that the imperial Romans engineered cults for the purpose of social and political control. The divinization and cults of the emperors are prime examples. They claimed to be gods, demanded worship, and set up false religions to achieve this- sounds like the evil, deranged, lesser god to me, or at least his microcosmic reflection....Oh yes, thanks to this book I now view the character and works of Aleister Crowley with considerably more sympathy and respect._This is a thick book, but it is uniformly a joy to read. If one were to have but one book in their library on this most profoundly significant of subjects this would be a fine choice.

Gnosis is sort of a catchall for religious experience which does not fit into orthodox formats. As a consequence, Gnostics/heretics usually don't get good or accurate press. Many unorthodox practitioners of religion aren't particularly interested in trying to explain their positions. They're more intent on reflecting on their experiences as they relate to some ultimate god.If God is the author of all that is good, then why would we not find reason to laugh as we worship?This book is a more universal discussion of the gnostic tradition as it is encountered in and around other religions. Good job.

Literature on the occult and secret societies runs the gamut from specialized and somewhat accurate to completely fabricated, blown out of proportion and paranoid. Churton's writing, refreshingly, is astonishingly clear, down-to-Earth and humorous. He's very much an authority, insider and scholar on this and related topics. I am so thankful I began learning about Gnostic thought and Western esotericism through him.

Like driving a tractor/trailer. Started out sluggish and overloaded but then got rolling pretty well. It honestly has captured my attention now that I'm in chapter four.

Good Read.

Book presented a good overview of Gnostic Philosophy. It's a bit wordy but has to be to cover all the information outlined.

Nice other view of our religion

Plenty of fascinating and detailed history of the Gnostic philosophy expanded in this book which serves, largely, as a great introduction to the topic and will introduce readers of growing interest to take further avenues of research, as so much is truly covered. Some criticism I find though that is a large drawback, a lot of the chapters don't really stick to Gnosticism as would be largely defined and seems to lose its way thematically. There is a lengthy chapter on the Knights Templar, who it would be hard to catagorize as truly Gnostic, the Cather church is only somewhat glossed over in the Templars and Troubadours chapters, but have not their own chapter; and the Cathars, most scholars would agree, are to be truly representative of medievel Gnostic thought! The one point that truly brings the rating for this book is a lengthy chapter towards the end that seems to do little more than serve as a white-washing operation for 20th century occult practitioner Aleister Crowley. Not only is this a far digression from the topic (it feels one has been placed with a completely different tome in one's hands when unaware) but just seems to be an opportunity for Churton (clearly enamoured with the Beast) to trumpet his enthusiasm for his dear "misunderstood" and contentious hero. I personally wanted to be enlightened on the germinal stages of Gnostic thought from Ancient times, to the medievel period to modern times and didn't really feel the need for an excursion on how Crowley should be seen as anything more than a confused, impetuous and egotistical man who would best be forgotten in the world of esotericism. For a scholarly work that focuses on empirical fact and detail, I'm not sure why the most glaringly abhorrent and well known parts of Crowley's life, personality and work were just not mentioned. Criticisms aside, although the book should be reduced in price and often looses its way, Churton is a brilliant and engaging writer in the English language with a breadth of knowledge and erudition that I found myself envious of. I think this work is of fair value for people with a curiosity into the subject of Gnosticism and even spiritual thought at large.

Whatever your personal philosophy, whether religious or humanist based, this interesting book is well worth reading. If you wish to expand your knowledge base or if you are inquisitive about where we human beings got some of our more profound ideas from, this book is a place to start. Easy to read and provocative in parts, this book should be an addition to the library of anyone curious about the human condition.

A fascinating account of the various exhibitors of Gnosticism including a fascinating and colourful account of the Jongleurs, the roving songster bards of Languedoc. Excellent book

Binding is awful pages not lined up and stick out

This review is written by someone whose knowledge of gnosticism is minimal: whose understanding of it is zero. How well did it advance both?My urge to understand both was aroused by  The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament , which looks at how "orthodox" Christianity was established. Ehrman's major thesis was that the ultimate victors in the raging dispute between the many different strands of Christological thought was based as much on establishing a rejection of those other strands as an on an objective understanding the earliest text (whatever that was)of the New Testament.Gnosticism proved one of the most difficult: much of the "orthodox" thinking was in line with gnostic thought.Given that, how well did it succeed for me?Several readings were, and still are, needed for me to get a satisfactory handle on it. But that is not a judgement of the book: it shows merely that I have a long way to go. The history of gnostic thinking starts well before the establishment of Christianity.It is fortunate that the author in his Introduction says (p2): It does not matter where one begins reading; the centre of the circle will always be there.Maybe, if I reach a, to me satisfactory point of understanding, then, after reading the thoughts of others whose theses are in conflict with Churton's, then my review will be based on a comparison.Don't hold your breaths waiting for that!David Cooper The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament