Gnosticism

doi:10.1017/9781108556620.009

6 - Gnosticism

from Part II - Case Studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 July 2025

Michael A. Williams

Edited by

Richard Flower

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Richard Flower: Affiliation:
University of Exeter

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Summary

The chapter traces the emergence of the notion of ‘gnostics’ as a classification, from originating confusion in the use of this language by ancient Christian anti-heresy writers to ongoing debates over this category among modern scholars. Progress in understanding the relevant ancient sources may benefit from analyses of specific themes and features in individual texts but without the encumbrance of disputes over a troubled classification (‘gnosticism’) that ultimately is a relic of ancient heresiology.

Keywords

gnosticism gnostics category Nag Hammadi Irenaeus of Lyon

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Companion to Christian Heresy , pp. 115 - 135

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108556620.009 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

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Brakke, D. 2010. The Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity, Cambridge, MA.Google Scholar

King, K. L. 2003. What Is Gnosticism?, Cambridge, MA.Google Scholar

Layton, B. 1995. ‘Prolegomena to the study of ancient Gnosticism’, in White, L. M. and Yarbrough, O. L. (eds.) The Social World of the First Christians: Essays in Honor of Wayne A. Meeks, Minneapolis, 334–50.Google Scholar

Meyer, M. and Robinson, J. M. (eds.) 2009. The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts, New York.Google Scholar

Pearson, B. 2007. Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature, Minneapolis.Google Scholar

Robinson, J. M. (ed.) 2000. The Coptic Gnostic Library: A Complete Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices, Leiden.Google Scholar

Smith, G. S. 2015. Guilt by Association: Heresy Catalogues in Early Christianity, Oxford.Google Scholar

Williams, M. A. 1996. Rethinking ‘Gnosticism’: An Argument for Dismantling a Dubious Category, Princeton.Google Scholar

Williams, M. A. 2016. ‘Gnosticism emergent: The beginning of the study of Gnosticism in the Academy’, in DeConick, A. D. (ed.) Religion: Secret Religion, Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks – Religion, Farmington Hills, MI, 3–22.Google Scholar

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