Talk:Gospel of Truth

Gospel of Truth - Valentinus and the Cathars
Interesting that the passage quoted talks about those who have become 'perfect'. Valentinus's followers referred to those who had achieved true spiritual Gnosis as the 'Perfect Ones'. The Midi-Pyrenean Christian Gnostic movement the Cathars referred to their spiritual elite as the 'Perfecti' or 'Parfaits'. Has anyone investigated as to whether there is a direct line from the early Christian Gnostics to the Cathars? There must be. ThePeg 19.8.2006

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As I am currently undergoing an introductory course in Gnostic Studies, my opinion may not be entirely valid.

However, as the teacher for the course, Jörgen Magnusson, points out in his translation of the original coptic version of the Gospel of Truth, it is not the demiurge (error personified) that actually nails Christ to the Wood (it does not specifically states cross, although one ought to assume that it really does not matter in this case), but rather a form of 'they' is used; which would, in the general opinion of our study-group, indicate that it is not Error itself that does it, but rather humans under its influence, people blind to the light and truth of Christ's message.

Right. But "they" could also mean archons, evil spiritual forces ruling the world, etc. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.93.17.174 (talk) 01:50, 1 October 2007 (UTC)


 * I would think that "they" would be a rather obvious reference to those who directly worshipped the demiurge and called it God above all...that being the Jews (namely the Jewish religious leadership of the time). Bladesinger46n2 (talk) 02:44, 1 January 2022 (UTC)

It does not follow
the article states, "These truths are in many ways in conflict with the Roman Catholic Church, who see themselves as a link between the Father and mankind. The idea in the Gnostic Gospels that someone could come to a meaningful understanding of the teachings of Jesus and the Father on their own, without the Church, eliminates the need for a Church, so it follows then that Churches are barriers to knowledge rather than holders of it."

if the church is unnecessary, it does not follow that the church is a barrier!! perhaps the author refers to explicit anti-church content in the Gospel, but the statement as it stands requires amplification or revision. - anonymous 7-25-09 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.3.113.232 (talk) 18:37, 25 July 2009 (UTC)

Removed embedded link metalog.org
Removed embedded link - "Are the Coptic Gospels Gnostic?", could be a reference but metalog.org appears to be down. Jonpatterns (talk) 14:35, 12 August 2014 (UTC)

Paterson Brown paragraph
I think the paragraph regarding scholars disagreeing on the three Nag Hammadi codices being considered Gnostic should be included, but the section below seems dubious and still has no citation despite the citation needed tag since May 2015. "...since each explicitly affirms the basic reality and sanctity of incarnate life, which Brown argues that Gnosticism considers illusory or evil."

The original sentence said "...since each explicitly affirms the basic reality and sanctity of incarnate life, which Gnosticism by definition considers illusory or evil." I refined it a little but I'm seeking the input of the Wikipedia community on how it should read or if it should be included at all.

Layton not identified
This needs clarification. Whoever added the section, are you referring to this? https://gnosis.org/library/valentinus/Fragments_Valentinus.htm If so, it's relatively comtemporary commentary, so ought to be described as such, with the specific author cited. Bkengland (talk) 01:36, 22 July 2023 (UTC)