The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back: An Old Heresy for the New Age

Rating:
Summary: Solid Treatment of an Interesting Topic
Review: A few of the reviews I read on amazon were so annoying, I thought I'd chime in. Sure, if you are a Gnostic you probably don't agree with Peter Jones' judgments. But don't try to belittle his intelligence or his command of the subject matter. He has a Ph.D. from Princeton Seminary, he's been a theology porfessor for years, and he has written a number of books on the topic. He knows the arguments and counter-arguments. If you disagree, just say so, but don' make these silly attacks on Dr. Jones' competence. He's very sharp.

I found the book to be a good introduction to the topic. I used it in an adult c.e. setting at our church, where we spent 13 weeks with it. Most folks appreciated the book and were challenged by it. It helped us understand the appeal of a puzzling movement, and how a neo-pagan worldview hangs together coherently.

It is concise, rather than comprehensive. It does not explore all the varieties of the New Age movement. Its not intended to do that. But its well worth the investment of a few hours of redaing time and a few dollars.
I bought extra copies for friends and for the church library.

Rating:
Summary: Like "Spirit Wars" for stupid people
Review: If you have read Dr. Jones' other book about gnosticism, i.e., "Spirit Wars: Pagan Revival in Christian America," then this book will be a H-U-G-E disappointment. Basically, It's exactly the same material, but squashed down from 600 pages to 100 or so pages and written for an 6th grade reading level instead of a 10th reading level. So, you get the overheated rhetoric, but none of the research or developed themes that made "SPirit Wars" interesting. Reading this book you would never guess that this guy is an actual scholar - instead he comes across like some sort of backwoods Hal Lindsey type, alternately hysterical and soothing but w. no real substance to support his allegations.

I suppose if your consumption of printed material is limited to Jack T. Chick comics then you might get something out of this wretched piece of agit-prop, but I found it pretty useless.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting study
Review: If you're an evangelical or fundamentalist Christian, you might find this book to be an interesting study of ancient Gnosticism and its parallels to the "New Age" movement. It has the potential to make some people very, very afraid. For others, it may be a useful tool for discerning between a conservative standard of "Biblical" doctrine vs. "non-Biblical" doctrine. If you're not an evangelical or fundamentalist Christian, but are interested in learning about some perspectives within this group, you may find this book to be an interesting study in Christian conspiracy theories and paranoia. From equating feminism with serpents with evil*, to prophecying "A Battle to the Death" between Christianity and the "Gnostic New-Age movement," Peter Jones presents a clear illustration of the reasoning and belief patterns of some groups of conservative Christians. In this sense, I found it fascinating. * Side note: In his diatribes equating all serpent symbols with Satan and against equal rights for women in the workplace, apparently Peter Jones has forgotten John 3:14 and the various sayings and doings of Jesus which reflect a more egalitarian view of male and female roles.

Rating:
Summary: Gnoticism seeks to destroy Church
Review: In "The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back," Peter Jones alerts the Church to the rapid re-emergence of an ancient religion called Gnosticism, today known as "New Age" thinking. Jones compares the two religions, and finds a contrast only in that the New Age is far more pervasive, influential -- and dangerous. He traces the roots of the sexual revolution, feminism, radical ecology, and "mandated cultural and ethnic diversity," directly to the New Age movement. All of this relates directly to the New Age and Gnostic belief that each person has god within himself/herself. This results in a devaluing of what the God of the Bible says and an "anything goes" mentality. Peter presents a compelling call back to the Scriptures and orthodox Christianity. All should take heed of the warnings inside this book and -- one thing Jones fails to do -- seek to put the solutions in practicable terms. That aside, this is not only a book that can be read -- due to its simplicity and accuracy -- but must be read if one wishes to have a clear understanding of the New Age movement and its relation to the Church it seeks to destroy.

Rating:
Summary: A Simple Introduction to a Fascinating Issue
Review: In this book, Jones' parallels ancient Gnosticism with the current "New Age" movement. The book covers the roots of Gnosticism, the current New Age, and how the Church should respond to the current resurgence of what Jones' considers to be Gnosticism reborn.

The mixed review of the book really comes down to purpose: what purpose does the book serve? If one is looking for a pithy, easy to understand overview of the dangers of the New Age for a Christian, I would rate the book 5 out of 5: it is short, easy to read, and relatively light on detail. The language is very simple, and uses a vocabulary which is well within the grasp of the average reader, unlike some theological texts. If one reads the book as an academic treatise on Gnosticism and it's impact on the modern day Church, it's a clear 1 out of 5: that doesn't appear to be what the book sets out to do. Indeed, the preface of the book lays out the author's intention clearly: to clarify the situation, to warn the Church, and to encourage believers to "fight the good fight". In that measure, the book works very well indeed.

The book is very short (a minus if you're expecting lots of content - it can be read very quickly from cover to cover) and is written from an entirely Christian worldview. Thus, if you are looking for something to loan to Christian friends which talks about the New Age and how it impacts the Church today, buy it.

Rating:
Summary: A Correction
Review: In this book, Jones' parallels ancient Gnosticism with the current "New Age" movement. The book covers the roots of Gnosticism, the current New Age, and how the Church should respond to the current resurgence of what Jones' considers to be Gnosticism reborn.

The mixed review of the book really comes down to purpose: what purpose does the book serve? If one is looking for a pithy, easy to understand overview of the dangers of the New Age for a Christian, I would rate the book 5 out of 5: it is short, easy to read, and relatively light on detail. The language is very simple, and uses a vocabulary which is well within the grasp of the average reader, unlike some theological texts. If one reads the book as an academic treatise on Gnosticism and it's impact on the modern day Church, it's a clear 1 out of 5: that doesn't appear to be what the book sets out to do. Indeed, the preface of the book lays out the author's intention clearly: to clarify the situation, to warn the Church, and to encourage believers to "fight the good fight". In that measure, the book works very well indeed.

The book is very short (a minus if you're expecting lots of content - it can be read very quickly from cover to cover) and is written from an entirely Christian worldview. Thus, if you are looking for something to loan to Christian friends which talks about the New Age and how it impacts the Church today, buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Very sad....
Review: It's curious. While this book essentially attacks Gnosticism, it does a terrible job showing why Gnosticism is bad. Admittedly, I'm biased since I am a gnostic, but given that Gnostics don't really prosetlyze, consider men & women to be equal (and all races), don't make moral judgements, don't want people's money or their worship, and generally want to be left alone, why is it bad if it's re-emerging?

The answer always is the same. It's because due to it's nature, Gnosticism eliminates the middleman between God and the person. (Ie, the Church/Preacher is superfluous). That takes away the power and wealth of the mainstream churchs. (since it was a puppet of the Roman Emperor, who used it for It's why it was originally banned by the Roman Catholic Church temporal power) when the church was founded. It's why the RCC stamped it out with Crusades every time it re-emerged (most notably the Cathars). And it's why books like this get written.....

Rating:
Summary: Bunch of Bull!!!!
Review: People, there is nothing that irritates me more than anything than fundamental christians and heretic BS. How dare someone say that someone else cannot worship God the way that this someone does due to its difference. Be weary of those who you get your information from. Mr. Jones is like all the other poor unfortunate souls who believe in revealing the salvations to others through the idea of a fearful God. This is not the God Jesus portrayed in any of his teachings. The bible is not complete; the early church foudners have taken out a lot of stuff that Jesus taught and said (i.e. Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Gospel of St. James)which is why i firmly beleive the Bible is contradictory. There is no such thing as heresy in the eyes of God. Through Gnosticism, though it is not for everyone, you can obtain more knowledge about Him other than the stupid idea of believing just because something said its true. Do you really believe that only Christians are the only ones to be saved. A loving God, as christians we all believe this to be true, would never ever do this to his souls, his precious creations. If anything, I believe that Gnosis is what today's Christians need. It is on the rise and will continue, whether individuals such as Mr. Jones like it or not. Let your soul tell you what is truth. You are from God. You have his fingerprint imprinted on your soul and He gave you a mind ; use it!!!

Rating:
Summary: Gnostic Empire Strikes Back
Review: Peter Jones gives a fairly well researched analysis of the parallels between Gnosticism and the New Age movement. As the negative reviews of "Gnostic Empire Strikes Back," prove, Peter Jones is correct when he concludes that the New Age ideals of tolerance are only skin deep. How quickly the champions of pluralism and tolerance rise to the occasion to denounce Christians as "paranoid" and "narrow." Why not review the book instead of denouncing the author with the shibboleth of "fundamentalist"? It seems the only heresy today is orthodox Christianity.

The book is a short read, really just a quick historical overview of Gnosticism and an analysis of the parallels between it and New Age spirituality. It is not a comprehensive study into either Gnosticism or New Age thought, but an introduction primarily intended for Christians. It is a bit dated, having been published in 1992, but still applies nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: Gnosticism: A Common Thread of Heresy
Review: _The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back_ by Peter Jones is a very short book on the nature of the ancient heresy of Gnosticism and its relation to the trendy, ultra-humanitarian New Age spiritual outlook today. The occult battle between God's revealed Truth, embodied in Christ, and secret doctrines that support the worship of the Serpent: Lucifer, the Devil who poses as an Angel of Light, has been carrying on since the beginning of time. "Gnosticism" comes from the Greek "gnosis" which means knoweldge (important because this "knowledge/gnosis" is opposed to Faith in a theological sense). Gnosticism finds its origins in the texts of various heretical psuedo-Christian groups that mixed un-Orthodox notions of Christ with Eastern, Egyptian and Hellenic philosophy and the Jewish Cabala. The central theme is that the God of the Old Testament, Yahweh, is a demon, and that Lucifer the Serpent taught Adam and Eve true spiritual knowledge and therefore incurred the wrath of Yahweh. Christ, according to Gnosticism, came to free man from the laws and doctrines imposed by Yahweh so that man can attain a higher spiritual consciousness without traditional doctrines and rituals. Since Yahweh's creation is regarded as evil and imperfect, it is the duty of men to change the world and the natural order of things to fit his own sovreign will. This is particularly evident in the realm of sexuality and the way God's gender is viewed. "Gnostic Gnotions" of the Mother Goddess, an impersonal androgynous diety and sexual fusion into an unconscious "one" give the catalyst for women's liberation, feminism, homosexual rights instead of the normative heterosexual family structure. Gnosticism is not dead, but has simply resurfaced in various forms throughout history, covertly aided by groups with their own agenda. If there is a link between the New Age, witchcraft, paganism, Nazism, Communism, Zionism, anti-Christianity in all its forms, then it is the Gnostic heresy. The only problem with Jones' _Gnostic Empire_ is that it is far too short and fails to provide a bibliography where similar information on this topic can be acessed.