Hidden wisdom : esoteric traditions and the roots of Christian mysticism / by Guy G. Stroumsa.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stroumsa, Guy G.

Series:

Studies in the history of religions ; 70.

Numen book series. Studies in the history of religions, 0169-8834 ; v. 70

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Occultism--Religious aspects--Christianity--History of doctrines--Early church, ca. 30-600.

Occultism.

Discipline of the secret.

Mysticism--History--Early church, ca. 30-600.

Mysticism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (229 p.)

Edition:

2nd, rev. and enlarged ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book investigates the problem of esoteric traditions in early Christianity, their origin and their transformation in Patristic hermeneutics, in the West as well as in the East. It argues that these traditions eventually formed the basis of nascent Christian mysticism in Late Antiquity. These esoteric traditions do not reflect the influence of Greek Mystery religions, as has often been claimed, but rather seem to stem from the Jewish background of Christianity. They were adopted by various Gnostic teachings, a fact which helps explaining their eventual disappearance from Patristic literature. The eleven chapters study each a different aspect of the problem, including the questions of Gnostic and Manichaean esotericism. This book will be of interest to all students of religious history in Late Antiquity. Revised and extended paperback edition. Originally published in 1996. Please click here for details.

Contents:

Preliminary Material / G. Stroumsa

Introduction / G. Stroumsa

Myth as Enigma: Cultural Hermeneutics in Late Antiquity / G. Stroumsa

Paradosis: Esoteric Traditions in Early Christianity / G. Stroumsa

Gnostic Secret Myths / G. Stroumsa

Esotericism in Mani’s Thought and Background / G. Stroumsa

The Body of Truth and its Measures: New Testament Canonization in Context / G. Stroumsa

Moses’ Riddles: Esoteric Trends in Patristic Hermeneutics / G. Stroumsa

Clement, Origen, and Jewish Esoteric Traditions / G. Stroumsa

Milk and Meat: Augustine and the End of Ancient Esotericism / G. Stroumsa

From Esotericism to Mysticism in Early Christianity / G. Stroumsa

Mystical Descents / G. Stroumsa

A Nameless God: Judaeo-Christian and Gnostic ‘Theologies of the Name’ / G. Stroumsa

Sources / G. Stroumsa

Indices / G. Stroumsa.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-280-85940-7

9786610859405

1-4294-2689-6

90-474-0477-7

1-4337-0442-0

OCLC:

781241312

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789047404774 DOI