| The Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes: The Initiatory Teachings of the Last Supper Contributor(s): Gaffney, Mark H. (Author) |
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ISBN: 089281697X ISBN-13: 9780892816972 Publisher: Inner Traditions International OUR PRICE: $20.69 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2004 Annotation: GNOSTICISM / CHRISTIANITYIn the third century C.E. the Catholic bishop Hippolytus composed A Refutation of All Heresies, which chiefly targeted the Naassenes, a Gnostic sect whose writings included a recounting of Jesus? actual teachings at the Last Supper. Ironically, Hippolytus includes this key ?heretical? text in Book 5 of his condemnation--now referred to as the Naassene Sermon--which would otherwise have been lost to us. Contrary to the denouncements of the Church, the sermon shows that the Naassenes were not a heretical derivative of Christianity but instead were purveyors of Christ's authentic message. In Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes Mark Gaffney deciphers the message recorded in the highly symbolic Naassene Sermon, a lesson intended for an inner circle of disciples who were prepared for advanced initiation into Jesus? wisdom teachings. These teachings address the awakening of spirit and include practices aimed at restoring the soul's lost connection to God. Most important, however, is their revelation of the central truth of immanence--the indwelling of the Divine as symbolized by the Grail. According to the Naassenes, immanence in the true sense intended by Jesus allows for spiritual attainment by ordinary Christians in this life without the intermediary of Church or priest. This was the real meaning of the Last Supper and why the Naassenes believed that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the Mystery traditions. MARK H. GAFFNEY is the author of Dimona: The Third Temple? and The First Tree of the Day. He lives in Oregon |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Gnosticism - Religion | Christianity - History - Religion | Christian Theology - History |
| Dewey: 273.1 |
| LCCN: 2004004033 |
| Physical Information: 0.79" H x 6.14" W x 8.92" (1.09 lbs) 296 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) - Religious Orientation - Christian |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Reveals the hidden meaning of the Grail and a secret Christian doctrine for achieving higher consciousness - Shows that Gnosticism is not a derivative of Christianity but the revelation of the true message of Jesus - Describes the ancient relationship between water and spirit - Explains the doctrine of immanence taught by Jesus at the Last Supper - Features the translated source text from The Refutation of All Heresies by Bishop Hippolytus, the only existing record of the Naassene Sermon In the third century C.E., the Catholic Bishop Hippolytus composed A Refutation of All Heresies in which his chief target was the Gnostic sect the Naassenes, whose writings included a recounting of Jesus' actual teachings at the Last Supper. Contrary to Church attacks, the Naassenes were not a heretical derivative of Christianity but the authentic foundation and purveyor of Christ's message. In fact, much of what passes as Christianity has nothing to do with the original teachings of its founder. The message recorded in the Naassene Sermon was intended for an inner circle of disciples who were prepared for advanced initiation into Jesus' wisdom teachings. The Grail discussed therein was not an actual chalice but a symbol of the indwelling of the divine. The teachings involved the awakening of spirit and included practices aimed at restoring the soul's lost connection with God. Immanence, in the true sense intended by Jesus, thus allows for spiritual attainment in this life by ordinary individuals without the intermediary of Church or priest. This was the real meaning of the Last Supper and why the Naassenes believed that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the Mystery traditions. |
Contributor Bio(s): Gaffney, Mark H.: - Mark H. Gaffney is the author of Dimona: The Third Temple?, The First Tree of the Day, and Gnostic Secrets of the Nassenes. He lives in Oregon. |