This ancient Gnostic text can be a
companion for your own spiritual quest
The Secret Book of John is the most significant and influential text of
the ancient Gnostic religion. Part of the library of books
found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945, this central myth of
Gnosticism tells the story of how God fell from perfect Oneness
to imprisonment in the material world, and how by knowing our
divine nature and our divine origins—that we are one with
God—we reverse God’s descent and find our
salvation.
The Secret Book of John: The Gnostic
Gospel—Annotated & Explained decodes the principal themes, historical
foundation, and spiritual contexts of this challenging yet
fundamental Gnostic teaching. Drawing connections to
Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, kabbalistic Judaism, and
Sufism, Davies focuses on the mythology and psychology of the
Gnostic religious quest. He illuminates the Gnostics’
ardent call for self-awareness and introspection, and the
empowering message that divine wholeness will be restored not
by worshiping false gods in an illusory material world but by
our recognition of the inherent divinity within ourselves.
Now you can experience and understand this
foundational teaching even if you have no previous knowledge of
Gnosticism. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents the
most important and valued book in Gnostic religion with
insightful yet unobtrusive commentary. It provides deeper
insight into the understanding that in Gnosticism the
distinction between savior and saved ceases to exist—you
must save yourself and in doing so save God.
“An excellent translation of a
seminal text of the Gnostic tradition, with valuable
annotations. This book should be welcomed by all students of
Gnosticism and especially by all who have sympathies for the
spirit of the Gnostic tradition. Highly recommended.”
—Stephan
A. Hoeller, author of Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition
of Inner Knowing and other works on
Gnosticism
“This uncomplicated presentation of
a very important ancient text is a helpful stepping stone
toward understanding the distinctiveness of Gnostic thought,
its relationship to Christian traditions, and its all-inclusive
understanding of the Divine.”
—Miriam
Therese Winter, Medical Mission
Sister; professor, Hartford Seminary; author of The Gospel According to Mary: A New Testament
for Women
“An articulate and illuminating
introduction to an important Gnostic text. A good place to
begin your study of Gnosticism.”
—Ron
Miller, Religion Department chair,
Lake Forest College, and author of The
Gospel of Thomas: A Guidebook for Spiritual Practice
