Gnosticism is famous for its diagnosis of existential suffering: a primordial cosmic tragedy in which physical reality comes to be and we become trapped in it. Though, just how do we escape such a cosmic prison? The classic answer is gnosis or knowledge of the origins of that suffering but we forget that Gnosticism also consisted in ritual practice and liturgy as well. In this episode I explore the Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit (formerly called The Egyptian Gospel) to better understand gnostic cosmology, theodicy and the rituals that accompany and ensure salvation.

#gnosticism #naghammadi #gnosis

Meyer The Nag Hammadi Scriptures 9780061626005
Layton The Gnostic Scriptures 9780300208542