REL 507: Gnosticism - The Path of Inner Knowledge

Stephan A. Hoeller, Ph.D.

This course surveys the practices of modern Gnosticism. Gnosticism is a spiritual philosophy that flourished during the first three centuries of the Christian Era. It holds that the path of enlightenment is in gnosis - true knowledge - which consists both in knowledge of the inner spiritual self and in knowledge of divinity. The course is primarily based on the Nag Hammadi documents. Particular emphasis is placed in these lectures and lessons on the contemporary relevance of Gnostic teachings, including their relation to modern psychology and Christianity.

Student Outcomes for This Course

Outcome #1: Students will develop an understanding of the principal distinguishing characteristics of the Gnostic World View.

Outcome #2: Students will learn the essential differences that separate Gnosticism from mainstream (orthodox) Christianity.

Outcome #3: Students will learn the convergences between Gnosticism and modern depth psychology (Jungian psychology.)

Outcome #4: Students will be able to apply the insights of Gnosticism to their ministry and thus to the theology and mysticism of Religious Science.

Outcome #5: Students will develop a working knowledge of the major Gnostic scriptures and learn to utilize their content. Such topics as issues related to Jesus, The Divine Sophia, Liberation of the soul, etc.

Course Sessions and Topics

This course is organized into ten, one-hour audio sessions. The introductory session, The Secret Teachings of Jesus, is presented in both an audio and video format to better acquaint the student with Dr. Hoeller. The ten sessions are organized into a thoughtful effective presentation on this topic. We recommend you study the tapes in their sequential order:

Session I	The Secret Teachings of Jesus
Session II	What is Gnosticism?: Fundamentals of the Gnostic World View. The Example of "The Hymn of the Peal"
Session III	The Gnostic Jesus: Who Was He? Jesus’ self-descriptions from Gnostic Sources, especially "The Gospel of Thomas"
Session IV	The Gospel of Phillip: A Book of Gnostic Sacraments. Ancient Gnostic Sacramental Practice As a Way to Mystical Union
Session V	Jesus and Mary Magdalen. The Mysterious Relationship of the Logos and his Female Disciple
Session VI	The Divine Sophia: Paradigm of the Gnostic Eternal Feminine. The Archetype of the Daughter of the True God and Her Involvement in Humanity's Salvation
Session VII	The Myth of the Demiurge. The Tyranny of the World and the Liberation of the Soul From Cosmic Oppression
Session VIII	The Mystic Wisdom of the Gospel of Truth. Teachings of the Great Gnostic Master Valentinus
Session IX	The Eternal Mission of the Prophet Mani. The Fourth Century Persian Prophet Mani has a Unique Mission That Continues in a Renewed Form Today
Session X	Cathars and Templars. Medieval French Heresies That Haunt the World

Required Reading

Stephan Hoeller, The Gnostic Jung, Quest Books , Wheaton , IL , 1989, ISBN 083560568X

Stephen Hoeller, Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing, Quest Books, Wheaton , IL , 2002. ISBN 0835608166

Elaine Pagels, The Gnostic Gospels , Random House, N.Y., 1977, ISBN 0679724532

Phone Conferences – Tuesdays, April 10 and May 15, 2007

From 5:00 to 6:00 P.M., Pacific Coast time, all students participate in these conferences with Dr. Hoeller. Participation of students in these conferences is counted in computation of final grade. Each of these two conferences have been designed around topics and issues, however, the first conference will also give you an opportunity to clarify any questions related to the course. See the Conference Call Calendar for call in information.

Topics and Issues for First Conference Call - Tuesday, April 10, 2007

(1) Review tapes 1-3.

(2) Be prepared to discuss the personality, role and teachings of Jesus, according to the Gnostics.

Topics and Issues for Second Conference Call - Tuesday, May 15, 2007

(1) Review tapes 4-7.

(2) Be prepared to discuss the Supernal Feminine as it is represented by the Gnostic tradition.

Email Discussion Group "mysticwisdom"

Email discussion groups encourage group discussion on the topics, issues and concepts presented in each course. Students are encouraged to use this discussion forum to share their ideas, insights and questions with one another. A single email message reaches all students and the faculty member at one time. This discussion group has also been put in place to help remove some of the geographic isolation that may be felt between students, and add an extra link to the natural and vital bond that develops in any spiritual community. The instructor will not personally participate in the email discussion group. All students with a current email address listed with Holmes Institute are automatically subscribed to the email discussion group for this course. Use this email address:

mysticwisdom@yahoogroups.com

If you desire to respond to an individual in the group, please use his/her personal email address on your class roster or the Faculty Directory for Spring Quarter 2007.

Course Outline - Weeks 1 through 5

This outline gives a brief description of how to pace your self-study and gauge your progress in the required course activities throughout the academic quarter.

Lesson Objectives: By the end of the fifth week, students demonstrate knowledge regarding:

1. The evidence of and references to the existence of Jesus’ secret teachings.

2. The definitions of, names of scriptures used, intentions of believers as well as the purpose of sacraments in Gnosticism.

3. The difference between the Gnostic Jesus and the Jesus represented in conventional Christianity.

4. The content and focus, as well as the nature, of sacraments in The Gospel of Phillip.

5. The nature of the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalen in the Gnostic Scriptures.

Required Reading:
Read as much of the four required texts as possible. Put special emphasis on Hoeller, Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing. Chapters 1 through 6.

Lecture Tapes: Listen to tape lectures 1-5

Assessment Experience #1 : Write one brief essay of 3 to 4 pages on the Gnostic view of Mary Magdalen. Your essay paper should be postmarked on or before April 23, 2007. Mail hardcopy to Dr. Hoeller's Personal Address: 2440 ¼ N. Beachwood Drive, Hollywood, CA 90068. See Faculty Directory for Spring Quarter 2007 in this guide. NO EMAIL OR FAXED PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Course Outline - Weeks 6 through 10

Lesson Objectives: By the end of the tenth week, each student has the ability:

6. to write a description of the essential differences that separate Gnosticism from mainstream (orthodox) Christianity.

7. to describe how Gnosticism and modern depth psychology (Jungian psychology) converge.

8. to develop a written statement which applies the insights of Gnosticism to his or her own ministry as well as to the theology and mysticism of Religious Science.

9. to demonstrate in writing a working knowledge of the major Gnostic Scriptures and how this content may be used in his or her own ministry.

Required Reading: Complete reading of all required textbooks.

Lecture Tapes: Listen to tape lectures 6-10.

Assessment Experience #2: The final examination for this course will be cumulative and be composed in two parts. Students desiring to be successful will be able to develop written statements to address the 9 objectives for this course. Your exam with the questions and paper topic will be emailed to you no later than May 7, 2007 .

Your written exam questions and final paper should be postmarked on or before June 4, 2007. Mail hardcopy to Dr. Hoeller's Personal Address: 2440 ¼ N. Beachwood Drive, Hollywood, CA 90068. See Faculty Directory for Spring Quarter 2007 in this guide. NO EMAIL OR FAXED PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Grading Policy
Teleconferences	= 10%
E-Mail Discussion	= 0%
Midterm Exam (Objective)	= 40%
Final Exam	= 50%
Total	= 100%