Cosmology and Fate in Gnosticism and Graeco-Roman Antiquity: Under Pitiless Skies (Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies)

In 'Cosmology and Fate in Gnosticism and Graeco-Roman Antiquity,' Nicola Denzey Lewis dismisses Hans Jonas' mischaracterization of second-century Gnosticism as a philosophically-oriented religious movement built on the perception of the cosmos as negative or enslaving. A focused study on the concept of astrological fate in “Gnostic” writings including the Apocryphon of John, the recently-discovered Gospel of Judas, Trimorphic Protennoia, and the Pistis Sophia, this book reexamines their language of “enslavement to fate (Gk: heimarmene)” from its origins in Greek Stoicism, its deployment by the apostle Paul, to its later use by a variety of second-century intellectuals (both Christian and non-Christian). Denzey Lewis thus offers an informed and revisionist conceptual map of the ancient cosmos, its influence, and all those who claimed to be free of its potentially pernicious effects. In This Book, Nicola Denzey Lewis Dismisses Hans Jonas' Mischaracterization Of Second-century Gnosticism As A Philosophically-oriented Religious Movement Built On The Perception Of The Cosmos As Negative Or Enslaving. A Focused Study On The Concept Of Astrological Fate In 'gnostic' Writings Including The Apocryphon Of John, The Recently-discovered Gospel Of Judas, Trimorphic Protennoia, And The Pistis Sophia, This Book Reexamines Their Language Of 'enslavement To Fate' From Its Origins In Greek Stoicism, Its Deployment By The Apostle Paul, To Its Later Use By A Variety Of Second-century Intellectuals (both Christian And Non-christian).--publisher Description. Were The Gnostics Cosmic Pessimists? -- Nag Hammadi And The Providential Cosmos -- This Body Of Death : Cosmic Malevolence And Enslavement To Sin In Pauline Exegesis -- Heimarmene At Nag Hammadi : The Apocryphon Of John And On The Origin Of The World -- Middle Platonism, Heimarmene, And The Corpus Hermeticum -- Ways Out I : Interventions Of The Savior God -- Ways Out Ii : Baptism And Cosmic Freedom : A New Genisis -- Astral Determinism In The Gospel Of Judas -- Conclusions, And A New Way Forward. By Nicola Denzey Lewis. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 193-202) And Index. Were the Gnostics cosmic pessimists? Nag Hammadi and the providential cosmos This body of death : cosmic malevolence and enslavement to sin in Pauline exegesis Heimarmene at Nag Hammadi : the Apocryphon of John and On the origin of the world Middle Platonism, heimarmene, and the Corpus Hermeticum Ways out I : interventions of the savior god Ways out II : baptism and cosmic freedom : a new genesis Astral determinism in the Gospel of Judas Conclusions, and a new way forward. In "Cosmology and Fate in Gnosticism and Graeco-Roman Antiquity," Denzey Lewis explores the rhetoric of "enslavement to fate" in the intellectual history of the 2nd century C.E., which she argues is differently articulated by ancient authors but to similar rhetorical ends.