The __Books of Jeu__ and the __Pistis Sophia__ as Handbooks to Eternity: Exploring the Gnostic Mysteries of the Ineffable

"Despite the surge of interest in Gnostic texts following the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library, the Coptic Books of Jeu and Pistis Sophia remain understudied. Often dismissed as convoluted, confused, and repetitious, Erin Evans convincingly shows that these texts represent the writings of a distinct religious group with a consistent system of theology, cosmology, and ritual practice. This book offers an in-depth examination of these texts, their relationship to other contemporary Gnostic ideas, and their use in the context of a practicing religious group. Three thematic sections demonstrate how the collection of texts functions as a whole, covering baptisms and mystical ascent procedures, guides to moral living, and introductory texts and myths."-- Back cover Introduction Part I Baptism and Ascent Guides 1. The First Book of Jeu 2. The Second Book of Jeu 3. Diagrams in the Books of Jeu 4. 4 Pistis Sophia (A) Part I Summary Part II Punishments and Moral Living 5. 4 Pistis Sophia (B) 6. 3 Pistis Sophia Part II Summary Part III Introductory Texts and Myths 7. 1/2 Pistis Sophia 8. The Pistis Sophia Myth Part III: Summary Conclusions In The Books of Jeu and the Pistis Sophia as Handbooks to Eternity Erin Evans offers an in-depth examination of the Coptic Books of Jeu and Pistis Sophia , demonstrating their system of cosmology and ritual practice, and their relationship to other contemporary Gnostic myths and ideas.