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The Nag Hammadi Codex Library

Have you heard or read about the Nag Hammadi codices that were discovered in 1945?

"The Nag Hammadi Library, a collection of thirteen ancient codices containing over fifty texts, was discovered in upper Egypt in 1945. This immensely important discovery includes a large number of primary Gnostic scriptures -- texts once thought to have been entirely destroyed during the early Christian struggle to define "orthodoxy" -- scriptures such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth."
https://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html

"What is Gnosticism?
Gnosis and gnosticism are still rather arcane terms, though in the last two decades the words have been increasingly encountered in the vocabulary of contemporary society. Gnosis derives from Greek, and connotes "knowledge" or the "act of knowing". (On first hearing, it is sometimes confused with another more common term of the same root but opposite sense: agnostic, literally "not knowing", a knower of nothing.) The Greek language differentiates between rational, propositional knowledge, and the distinct form of knowing obtained not by reason, but by personal experience or perception. It is this latter knowledge, gained from experience, from an interior spark of comprehension, that constitutes gnosis."
https://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhlintro.html
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It's interesting for me, being LDS Christian, to read some of these texts that supposedly contain some of the words and teachings of Christ, as well as writings from the original Apostles.

What are your thoughts on these writings?

Roz

Edited: FarSeer on 15th Feb, 2004 - 5:31pm

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This is a great post! Thanks. I have known that these writings existed, and have even seen some of them quoted in part in other things I have read, but I haven't before now known how I could read them.

Thanks for that information FarSeer. Of course, I started reading them and now I think I understand why they are not a part of the Bible. I am sure they contain some truths, but how do you weed out what is true and what is not? I spent some time reading the Gospel of Thomas because I had heard good things about it in the past. I recognized some of what Thomas was saying as being similar to what I have read in the Bible, so his writings support the Bible. No surprise since we know he was there, but then some of his writings were a bit weird to me. I don't know if it was the translation or the author, but it didn't flow nicely like I find the Bible writings.

I looked a bit at some others as well and had similar thoughts.

What are your thoughts?

The Nag Hammadi Codex Library Revealed Bible The

It's interesting, isn't it? The online library has a couple of different "versions" of translations -- that in itself I think is fascinating, I mean how can three different people get three different translations from the exact same source?? Also I noted that some of the texts were actually authored by people other than who the text is named after -- IIRC, Thomas was authored by Matathias? maybe this was normal to have someone acting as scribe, I don't know.

Read the Hymn of the Pearl, or something like that, that was supposed to have been written by Thomas while in prison. On first reading, it seems very vague... but after pondering it for a bit I understood it better, especially from an LDS perspective.

Very interesting to read and ponder. I do think we have to be careful about these sorts of things, but what a treasure of history!

Roz

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I had some trouble finding it, but once I did, I am glad I made the effort. Thanks for the suggestion. I found it quite interestng. Many references to the pre-existance and also a reminder of who we are really. Whose children we remain even while living here on earth. It is beautifully written. I am surprised it isn't more widely circulated.

Edited: tenaheff on 16th Feb, 2004 - 5:55pm

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The Hymn of the Pearl is certainly a very powerful message.

I found one part very interesting:

I have just finished reading The DaVinci Code, which focuses on the sacred feminine symbols and teachings throughout history. Now I read an ancient document where Thomas, an apostle, indicates using the name of the queen in the place where most of Christianity normally uses the Holy Ghost, in many different types of liturgy.

Makes one wonder what other feminine power might be hidden within these documents, doesn't it?

NightHawk

The Nag Hammadi Codex Library

While I was researching for a talk I gave in church a couple of weeks ago, I came across an article from one of our church magazines that actually references that Hymn of the Pearl! I was so amazed and pleased to find it. They did not mention where specifically it was from, just quoted "ancient scripture" and it was beautiful. Then I lost my notes and I can't find it - the article - now. But I'm researching and I will find it, because it makes me happy to know that that "ancient scripture" is recognized by my church leaders.

Roz

The Nag Hammadi Codex Library

Hugh Nibley has referred to many of the Nag Hammadi works over the years. Very interesting stuff in it.

The Nag Hammadi Codex Library The Bible Revealed

Oh, that's very interesting, I didn't know that. Yes, it's terrific stuff, and I'm so glad to have "stumbled" across that website with the archives.