Gnostic, Canonical, Heretical » Discuss

What Is Gnosticism?
Karen L. King

Thanks to Maud, I learned of this discussion of the Gnostic Gospels to take place later today (tomorrow?... anyway, May 3, 2006, 12 noon, Eastern time) with Karen L. King, a professor of ecclesiastical history at Harvard University's Divinity School, and author of What Is Gnosticism?, The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle, and The Secret Revelation of John. From the discussion page:

Some religion scholars believe early Christianity was much more diverse than experts have long believed. They say other scholars' insistence on labeling lost Christian texts “Gnostic gospels” blinds them to the texts' differences from one another -- and to their similarity to orthodox Christianity. For example, they challenge the idea that those believers, labeled heretics, were alienated from the world and at war with their bodies. How are the so-called Gnostic gospels similar to the canonical books of the Bible? What elements in them led them to be branded as heretical? How would abandoning the term “Gnostic” change scholars' understanding of early Christianity? How is keeping the term useful? Or is the distinction meaningless?

I'm not particularly fond of online discussions myself, but some folks do them well, and you might be one of those folks. So if the topic interests you (as it interests me), I'd suggest dropping by early and submitting your question. Apparently you can do so before the event begins. Blessings.