The Nag Hammadi Library in English : Revised Edition

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Summary: Excellent brain-stretching book!
Review: After reading Elaine Pagel's "Gnostic Gospels" I was thrilled to find a copy of the Nag Hammadi library. It is very difficult reading in many places, but supremely worth it. It is nice to see a subject like this treated with professional scholarship.

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Summary: eternalspirit.com
Review: The Nag Hammadi collection of ancient sacred writings, including the very helpful introductions, should be included in every copy of the Bible. When it was decided to exclude the Gnostic perspective in the canonization of the Bible, the revelation of God was once again distorted and minimized. Our picture of God is vastly improved if we place the Gnostic perspective alongside the hierarchical perspective as found in the New Testament. Anyone serious about the Bible should also read and understand the Nag Hammidi sacred writings, which are very "reader friendly."

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Summary: The First Cult
Review: This book is an amazing read for the pure reason that it contains the ancient texts of the members of the first recorded cult-- the gnostics. The truth contained in this book is that these are the false teachings of the Gnostic cult leaders that Paul and others warn against in the Gospels. Anyone studying things such as the Apocrypha of the Old Testament, or the writings found in the Epistles of the New Testament would find this interesting. However, like some of the other reviewers have stated, it should be read carefully and with a discerning eye. I would recommend cross-referencing it with the Bible-- looking up truths from the Old and New Testaments that refute questionable passages found in this book. It is however, for all its misgivings, quite interesting and valuable for people wishing to study the beginnings of Christianity on a more indepth level.

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Summary: I just love Gnosticism
Review: In brief, this is what the Nag Hammadi Library is about: 1. Eve was the first human to be created so that she can illuminate Adam from his ignorance. The ignorance is that Adam contains a spirit that does not belong on earth but is simply trapped in the body. It is this spirit, this light, that belongs to the highest supreme. 2. the other gospel says that is was Adam that was created first, nevertheless, Eve was the one who illuminated the poor, sleeping, incompetent Adam. 3. That there are 2 Gods in the universe. The one who is supposed to have created the earth and man is Samael (the god of darkness and of ignorance), who later proclaims himself the only God. Then there is the other God, the God of truth, the highest God, the androgynous father, the light, the God of goodness. 4. Human beings are gods that contain the great light or spirit of the highest androgynous father. The sad part, is that this holy spirit is trapped in the material world, viz. the body, flesh or matter. You do not need a church father to invoke this goodness in you. 5. To gain salvation, according to the Gnostics, all you need is to know the above truth, knowledge (gnosis), that there is a higher God whom all of us are from and must return to. This high bright spirit is in all of us, but clouded by the material things of the world, including the body. I LOVE GNOSTICISM. IT GIVES ME ANSWERS TO MANY QUESTIONS THAT CANNOT BE READILY ANSWERED: why is 'God' so destructive and cruel, especially in the old testament - even in the modern world (holocaust, earthquakes, etc.) I LOVE ALSO ITS FEMININE ELEMENTS! It is most adviced that one should seek an introductory book on Gnosticism before attempting the Nag Hammadi Library itself. I suggest one of them, viz. "the elements of Gnosticism" by Stuart Holroyd.

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Summary: An influencial addition to Spiritual understanding
Review: I have a copy of the Library in my library at home. I cannot truthfully express how much of an influence it has had on my own literary efforts. It expresses a profound Gnosis that cannot be grasped by the finite mind, and offers archetypal messages for the soul. I do not agree with every text of the Nag Hammadi Library, and have found some passages somewhat disturbing, to say the least. But I can say truely, that the good found in this Library far outweighs the bad. This is why I give it a five star rating. I place it right up there with the Zohar and the Dead Sea Scrolls as one of the most influencial volumes of the twentieth century and beyond.

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Summary: unadulterated truth
Review: Further to suggestions that these books are too far removed from history and less authoritive than 1st century works, because they were written 100 years later is untrue. The canonical gospels in the bible are not 1st century, they are BASED on 1st century gospels that have been heavily edited over the centuries. This was done for theological and political reasons in an effort to maintain power for the clergy. No original 1st century gospels exist and so the Nag Hammadi gospefs are in fact older and therefore closer to history than the canonical ones.

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Summary: The Gnostic Library rediscovered
Review: This book presents English translations of what is called the Nag Hammadi Library, a collection of thirteen codices belonging to a Gnostic sect that were discovered in Egypt in 1945. The most interesting texts are "The Gospel of Truth," probably by the famous heretic Valentinian, "The Gospel of Thomas," "The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles," and "The Teachings of Silvanus." This book is somewhat misleading described as "the Gnostic scriptures," which can't be right, because one of the writings included in it was a fragment from Plato's Republic - the Gnostics surely did not consider that Scripture. I would not read these books to gain any insight to Jesus, because these are for the most part second century works, while the New Testament is a product of the first century and considerably more authoritative. But if those are your aims, I am sure you would find the Gospel of Thomas very interesting: just be sure to read it with a critical eye.

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Summary: the pure word
Review: Having read parts of this book, the gospel of Thomas and gospel of Phillip, I felt refreshed and have gained a new insight to the real person and wisdom of Jesus. Everyone MUST read this book, which can only enhance your faith with Gnosis. The spirituality I gained from just these two gospels touched me deep in my soul where nothing previously had. A MUST READ.

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Summary: Vastly more satisfying than the Dead Sea Scrolls
Review: The Dead Sea Scrolls get all the attention and popular press but the Nag Hammadi is the REAL thing. The Scrolls are murder to get through due to the huge quantities of missing text. The Nag Hammadi is in a whole different class. I don't understand why these texts and this incredibly scholarly edition don't get more attention. I am certain they will eventually be 'discovered' by the world at large due to their depth of historical significance and the quantity of the material herein. I am very grateful to the person who introduced me to this work. The Nag Hammadi is a pleasure. Enjoy!

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Summary: I smell the sweet aroma of truth in this book!
Review: Church leaders repressed the teachings of Gnostic Christians; what a loss! Some of these texts are powerful, affirming what the soul intuits. There is a great energy here, words that filled me with Light and re-ignited the flame of Christianity within, a flame nearly smothered by organized religion. I recommend the book heartily to all truth-seekers. Be prepared to ponder each sentence, each metaphor. It isn't quick reading, but it can resonate magnificently if you are open to it. I found most of the insights delightful, fresh. (A few passages are abstruse.) A fascinating read, even for nonbelievers, I expect. This ain't a rehash of the same old four gospels! Check it out!