Mystery and Secrecy in the Nag Hammadi Collection and Other Ancient Literature: Ideas and Practices

Mystery and secrecy were central concepts in the ritual, rhetoric, and sociological stratification of antique Mediterranean religions. That the ultimate nature and workings of the divine were secret, and either could not or should not be revealed except as a mystery for the initiated, was widely accepted among Pagans, Jews, and then Christians, both Gnostic and otherwise. The similarities and differences in the language of mystery and secrecy across religious and cultural borders are thus crucial for understanding this important period of the history of religions. The present anthology aims to present and analyze a wide selection of sources elucidating this theme, reflecting the correspondingly wide scholarly interests of Professor Einar Thomassen in honor of his 60th birthday.

Review:

'This substantial collection [...] focusing on Nag Hammadi and Gnosticism, [...] sources of Early Christianity, Hermetism, Greco-Roman religion, magic Manichaeism, and apocalypticism. [...] This volume will be of great use for scholars of ancient and early medieval esotericsm, as well as Gnosticism and ancient religions in general. Like all in the NHMS series, the volume is handsomely produced. Fine indices of ancient sources and keywords are provided.' Dylan M. Burns, Aries -- Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism 14 (2014) 'a fitting tribute to the scholarship of Einar Thomassen. As a collection the essays have an inner coherence, while allowing sufficient breadth to tease out meaningful connections. While this is a volume for specialists in the area of Nag Hammadi and cognate studies, for such scholars it provides a rich fare.' Paul Foster, The Expository Times 124(5) February 2013 'To be recommended to those with an interest in mystery and secrecy in late antique religion. Michael Kaler, York University, in Studies in Religion 41 (3) 'This book will be of interest to students of Gnosticism and Greco-Roman religions in general.' Birger A. Pearson, Religious Studies Review * VOLUME 38 * NUMBER 3 * SEPTEMBER 2012