A scholarly yet accessible introduction to Gnosticism.
Sunderland (The Obelisk and the Cross, 2016) analyzes the central divisions between orthodox and gnostic interpretations of the life and meaning of Jesus Christ.
The orthodox, or traditional, version of Christianity’s Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) is the foundation of Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant denominations. However, the Judaic and Messianic narrative promoted by these books faced competition from a rival set of scriptures, which were largely lost to history until the discovery of the Nag Hammadi texts in 1945. The Gospels of Thomas, Judas, Mary Magdalene, and others provided early Christians—particularly those in the vicinity of Alexandria, Egypt—with an alternate story of Jesus Christ, Creation, and the entire spiritual order. This book first deftly notes their differences from traditional Christian writings, then examines attempts by orthodox Christians and Gnostics to find a “middle path” to reconcile the two sides: The Apostle Paul does this in his epistles by reaching out to gentiles who’d be alienated by an overemphasis on a Judaic Messiah; Gnostic theologian Valentinus does it by acknowledging the supreme deity as “Father.” However, by the year 325, orthodox Christians had successfully linked their interpretation with Emperor Constantine, officially canonized Scripture that aligned with that interpretation, and denounced Gnosticism as heresy. The book’s final third argues for the continued relevancy of Gnosticism in our postmodern world, which values tenets that Gnostics promoted—individualism, self-discovery, and self-fulfillment. Overall, non-Catholic readers may find the author’s relative dismissal of distinctive Protestant theology to be off-putting. Indeed, by lumping Protestants into the same “orthodox” category as Catholics, the author misses potential opportunities to explore some similarities between Protestant ideas and Gnosticism, such as the Quakers’ emphasis on “inner light.” These criticisms notwithstanding, the author writes in clear, concise prose that effectively explains the complex and varied theologies of Gnosticism for a general audience while also maintaining an academic tone and providing a solid foundation of research.
A scholarly yet accessible introduction to Gnosticism.Pub Date: June 13, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-925590-48-7
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Vivid Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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