The Sophia of Jesus Christ
Encyclopedia
The Sophia of Jesus Christ is one of many Gnostic
tractates from the Nag Hammadi codices
, discovered in Egypt
in 1945. The title is somewhat coded, since although Sophia is Greek
for wisdom
, in a gnostic context, Sophia is the syzygy
of Christ
.
The Coptic
manuscript itself has been dated to the 4th century, however, it is complemented by a few fragments in Greek dating from the 3rd century, implying an earlier date. The text has strong similarities to the Epistle of Eugnostos
, which is also found in the Nag Hammadi codices, but with a Christian framing added, and expanding it somewhat.
The debate about dating is critical, since some argue that it reflects the "true, recorded, sayings" of Jesus
, which is possible if they were to be dated as far back as the 1st century. Others argue that they are, in fact, considerably later, and constitute an unreliable secondary source (at best post facto hearsay).
Most scholars argue that the text is of Gnostic origin, based on the similarities between the mystical
teachings found in the text itself and standard Gnostic themes. Highly mystical, the content of this text concerns creation of gods
, angel
s, and the universe
with an emphasis on infinite and metaphysical
truth
.
The text is composed of 13 questions from the disciples, followed by brief discourses by Jesus in response.
Gnosticism
Gnosticism is a scholarly term for a set of religious beliefs and spiritual practices common to early Christianity, Hellenistic Judaism, Greco-Roman mystery religions, Zoroastrianism , and Neoplatonism.A common characteristic of some of these groups was the teaching that the realisation of Gnosis...
tractates from the Nag Hammadi codices
Nag Hammadi library
The Nag Hammadi library is a collection of early Christian Gnostic texts discovered near the Upper Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi in 1945. That year, twelve leather-bound papyrus codices buried in a sealed jar were found by a local peasant named Mohammed Ali Samman...
, discovered in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in 1945. The title is somewhat coded, since although Sophia is Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
for wisdom
Wisdom
Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions so that universal principles, reason and...
, in a gnostic context, Sophia is the syzygy
Aeon (Gnosticism)
In many Gnostic systems, the various emanations of God, who is also known by such names as the One, the Monad, Aion teleos , Bythos , Proarkhe , the Arkhe , are called Aeons...
of Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
.
The Coptic
Coptic language
Coptic or Coptic Egyptian is the current stage of the Egyptian language, a northern Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Egypt until at least the 17th century. Egyptian began to be written using the Greek alphabet in the 1st century...
manuscript itself has been dated to the 4th century, however, it is complemented by a few fragments in Greek dating from the 3rd century, implying an earlier date. The text has strong similarities to the Epistle of Eugnostos
Epistle of Eugnostos
The Epistle of Eugnostos is one of many Gnostic tractates from the Nag Hammadi library, discovered in Egypt in 1945. The Nag Hammadi codices contain two full copies of this tractate...
, which is also found in the Nag Hammadi codices, but with a Christian framing added, and expanding it somewhat.
The debate about dating is critical, since some argue that it reflects the "true, recorded, sayings" of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, which is possible if they were to be dated as far back as the 1st century. Others argue that they are, in fact, considerably later, and constitute an unreliable secondary source (at best post facto hearsay).
Most scholars argue that the text is of Gnostic origin, based on the similarities between the mystical
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
teachings found in the text itself and standard Gnostic themes. Highly mystical, the content of this text concerns creation of gods
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
, angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s, and the universe
Universe
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
with an emphasis on infinite and metaphysical
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
truth
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
.
- The perfect saviour hath said: "Come (you) from things unseen unto the end of those that are seen, and the very emanation of Thought shall reveal unto you how faith in they which are unseen was found in them which are seen, they that belong to the Unbegotten Father. Whomsoever hath ears to hear, let him hear!"
- — from The Sophia of Jesus Christ
The text is composed of 13 questions from the disciples, followed by brief discourses by Jesus in response.
- The first question concerns the vanity and futility of searching for God.
- The second concerns how to find truth, but only explaining what it is not.
- The third concerns how truth was revealed to the gnostics at the beginning of time.
- The fourth concerns how one must awake to see the truth.
- The fifth concerns how things began.
- The sixth concerns how mankind came to gnosis.
- The seventh concerns the position of Jesus in all this.
- The eighth concerns the identity of Jesus.
- The ninth concerns how the spirit connects to the material.
- The tenth concerns the number of spirits.
- The eleventh concerns the immortal.
- The twelfth concerns those who are not material.
- The final question concerns where mankind came from and what purpose it should have.
External links
- A translation can be seen at Sophia.
- PBS Article