Hidden wisdom : : esoteric traditions and the roots of Christian mysticism / / by Guy G. Stroumsa.

• Superior document: Numen book series. Studies in the history of religions, v. 70
• Author: Stroumsa, Guy G.
• Year of Publication: 2005
• Edition: 2nd, rev. and enlarged ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Studies in the history of religions ; 70.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (229 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

This book investigates the problem of esoteric traditions in early Christianity, their origin and their transformation in Patristic hermeneutics, in the West as well as in the East. It argues that these traditions eventually formed the basis of nascent Christian mysticism in Late Antiquity. These esoteric traditions do not reflect the influence of Greek Mystery religions, as has often been claimed, but rather seem to stem from the Jewish background of Christianity. They were adopted by various Gnostic teachings, a fact which helps explaining their eventual disappearance from Patristic literature. The eleven chapters study each a different aspect of the problem, including the questions of Gnostic and Manichaean esotericism. This book will be of interest to all students of religious history in Late Antiquity. Revised and extended paperback edition. Originally published in 1996. Please click here for details.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / G. Stroumsa -- Introduction / G. Stroumsa -- Myth as Enigma: Cultural Hermeneutics in Late Antiquity / G. Stroumsa -- Paradosis: Esoteric Traditions in Early Christianity / G. Stroumsa -- Gnostic Secret Myths / G. Stroumsa -- Esotericism in Mani’s Thought and Background / G. Stroumsa -- The Body of Truth and its Measures: New Testament Canonization in Context / G. Stroumsa -- Moses’ Riddles: Esoteric Trends in Patristic Hermeneutics / G. Stroumsa -- Clement, Origen, and Jewish Esoteric Traditions / G. Stroumsa -- Milk and Meat: Augustine and the End of Ancient Esotericism / G. Stroumsa -- From Esotericism to Mysticism in Early Christianity / G. Stroumsa -- Mystical Descents / G. Stroumsa -- A Nameless God: Judaeo-Christian and Gnostic ‘Theologies of the Name’ / G. Stroumsa -- Sources / G. Stroumsa -- Indices / G. Stroumsa.