This diagram is from the 1926 book “Gnosticism” by Mary W. Barrie. Here is the description from the book: “Another diagram from an Ophite pre-Christian community is more complex, and shows, it seems to me, the eclecticism of the pre-Christian Gnosticism. We have the egg of Brahm, the three aspects of the One and the …
Tag Archives: gnostic
The Twelfth Repentance of Pistis Sophia
We’re almost to the end. This is a long one. MacDermot Translation: I. ‘0 Light, forget not my song of praise. 2. For the Authades and his lion-faced power opened their mouths against me, they dealt cunningly with me. 3. And they surrounded me, wishing to take away my power; and they hated me because …
The Mnemonic Diagram of Valentinus
I recently picked up and read the 1926 book “Gnosticism” by Mary W. Barrie. This book was published pre-Nag Hammadi, so I was curious to how it portrayed Gnosticism. It is a rather small book, just a little over 100 pages. The book gives a history of the Gnostic sects and touched upon some of …
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1
What is the “Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1” you may ask? It is a piece of papyri discovered by papyrologists Bernard Pyne Grenfell and Arthur Surridge Hunt on their second day of excavation, January 12, 1897, in the garbage mounds of the town of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. Their total find amounted to 1,000s of various texts including some …
The Tenth Repentance of Pistis Sophia
Almost there! This is a rather short passage. Below are the comparisons. MacDermot Translation: 1. ‘I have cried out to thee, 0 Light of Lights, in my affliction, and thou hast heard me. 2. 0 Light, save my power from unjust and iniquitous lips, and from cunning snares. 3. The light which was taken away …
Be Like Wine Jars
Just like my post from the other day, this particular post is a short text from the “Essential Gnostic Scriptures” book and is sourced from the Mandaean liturgy. It is a short text titled “Be Like Wine Jars.” Text is pretty explanatory and to the point. I like it! You of my blood, speak the …
The Ninth Repentance of Pistis Sophia
This is a long one. Here is the ninth repentance of Pistis Sophia, side-by-side translations. Best viewed via desktop mode. MacDermot Translation: 1. ‘0 Light, smite down those who have taken my power away from me; and take the power from those who have taken mine from me. 2. For I am thy power and thy light; …
A Poor Man Taken Far
Recently I picked up the “Essential Gnostic Scriptures” book by Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer. The book collects various texts they feel are essential (which I admit is a good selection) but the last part of the book features song excerpts from various traditions. I wanted to share one of them. This is titled “A …
The Eighth Repentance of Pistis Sophia
Onto the Eighth Repentance of Pistis Sophia, side by side translation comparisons. Best viewable in desktop mode. MacDermot Translation: 1. I have hoped in thee, 0 Lord. Let me not be put to shame for ever; save me in thy righteousness. 2. Incline thine ear to me; save me quickly, be to me a protecting …
The Seventh Repentance of Pistis Sophia
Side by side translations of the Seventh Repentance of Pistis Sophia. As always, desktop view recommended. MacDermot Translation: 1. 0 Light, I have raised up my power to thee, my Light. 2. I have believed in thee; do not make me to be despised. Do not make the archons of the twelve aeons, which hate …
Culmination of Wisdom 