Part 1 of Essay
In December 1945, Gnostic books containing many secrets of the early Christian religion was found near the town of Nag Hammadi in upper Egypt. Undisturbed since their concealment almost two thousand years ago, these manuscripts from rank in importance with the Dead Sea Scrolls. The first extensive translation into English ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... except from the writings of their adversaries. One of the main things which separated the Gnostics from orthodox Christians was the mysticism of their beliefs. It began with their views of God and creation. They viewed the One which they called the true God as having a feminine part which was the Spirit. In accord, they also held that Jesus came from God and the Spirit to form the Trinity. In the Gnostic version of creation of the world the Spirit of God is referred to as the Wisdom of God or Sophia who is also ....