This is G.R.S. Mead's translation of the Pistis Sophia, the most extensive Gnostic scripture available until the discovery of Nag Hammadi texts in 1945.
The Pistis Sopha is a startling blend of primitive Christianity and Hellenic Paganism, with other elements such as reincarnation, Astrology, Mystery religion and Hermetic magic. The Goddess makes an appearance in the guise of Sophia, a fallen angel.
The text is notable because the female disciples of Jesus are treated as active participants in the discourse, in a way that would be unimaginable in later Christianity. Tensions between the men and women disciples are not glossed over. On p. 47, Peter complains that Mary and the other women disciples are monoplizing the discussion with Jesus: "My Lord, we will not endure this woman, for she taketh the opportunity from us and hath let none of us speak, but she discourseth many times." Later, Mary (p. 135) expresses her misgivings about Peter: "I am afraid of Peter, because he threatened me and hateth our sex."
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This is my own presentation of the Text of Pistis Siphia - without the margin notes added by the translator.
If you prefer to read the Text with the translator's margin notes it is available at either Sacred Texts or The Gnostic Society Library
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Preface
Introduction
The First Book of Pistis Sophia
The Second Book of Pistis Sophia
The Third Book of Pistis Sophia
The Fourth Book of Pistis Sophia
The Fifth Book of Pistis Sophia
The Sixth Book of Pistis Sophia
Annotated Bibliography
The Entire Work on one page (599.3Kb)
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NOTICE OF ATTRIBUTION.
Scanned at sacred-texts.com, June 2005. Proofed and formatted by John Bruno Hare. This text is in the public domain in the United States because it was published prior to 1923. It also entered the public domain in the UK and EU in 2003. These files may be used for any non-commercial purpose, provided this notice of attribution is left intact in all copies.
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