This succinct new introduction to Gnosis contains everything a reader needs to know, as well as where to look for further information. Markschies defines the nature of Gnosis and the significance of beliefs which led to such a prominent movement in the Christian church. He discusses the sources, all the relevant writings that contribute to our knowledge about Gnosis (including the church fathers), heresiologists and the Nag Hammadi finds. He examines early forms of Gnosis in antiquity, in Jewish and Christian contexts, in the New Testament and in the first Gnostics. He then treats the main representatives of Gnosis, especially Valentinus and Marcion, Manichaeism as the culmination of Gnosis, communities of Gnostics and the influence of Gnosis today. There is a useful bibliography and chronology. Markschies combines great clarity with immense learning. This is an ideal introduction to Gnosis for the student and general reader.

Book jacket.