✝️ Esoteric Christianity and Gnostic Traditions
✝️ Esoteric Christianity and Gnostic Traditions
- Course Code: REL 5402
- Florida Course Numbering System: REL 5407
- Credits: 3
- Level: Graduate
- Program: Master of Theosophy
📘 Course Description
This course explores the hidden teachings, mystical interpretations, and esoteric symbolism of Christianity as understood through the lens of Gnosticism and Western esoteric tradition. Students will examine the nature of Christ as a cosmic principle, the role of Sophia (Divine Wisdom), and the sacred mysteries encoded in scripture and apocryphal texts. The course also investigates parallels between early Christian Gnosticism and modern spiritual psychology.
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Interpret key esoteric and Gnostic texts within historical and spiritual contexts.
- Explain the metaphysical nature of Christ and Sophia in Gnostic cosmology.
- Compare orthodox and esoteric views of sin, salvation, and resurrection.
- Analyze the symbolic meaning of Christian sacraments, parables, and mysteries.
- Engage with contemplative practices rooted in Christian mysticism.
🗂️ Weekly Topics Breakdown
| Week | Topic | Key Readings & Resources |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Esoteric Christianity & Gnostic Thought | The Gnostic Gospels – Elaine Pagels |
| 2 | The Cosmic Christ: Logos, Light, and Divine Incarnation | Gospel of John (Esoteric reading) |
| 3 | Sophia and the Divine Feminine in Gnostic Mythology | Pistis Sophia (selected passages) |
| 4 | The Gospel of Thomas: Sayings of the Living Jesus | Gospel of Thomas – Nag Hammadi Library |
| 5 | The Gospel of Philip and the Sacramental Mysteries | Gospel of Philip – Nag Hammadi Library |
| 6 | Resurrection, Salvation, and the Inner Path | The Gospel of Truth, Jung’s Aion (selected) |
| 7 | The Esoteric Cross: Symbolism of Suffering, Death, and Transcendence | The Secret Teachings of All Ages – Manly P. Hall |
| 8 | Gnosis vs. Belief: The Inner Knowledge that Saves | Valentinian texts, Tripartite Tractate |
| 9 | The Role of Mary Magdalene in the Esoteric Tradition | Gospel of Mary, contemporary scholarship |
| 10 | Christian Mystics: Meister Eckhart, Jacob Boehme, and the Inner Word | Mysticism – Evelyn Underhill (excerpts) |
| 11 | Sacramental Alchemy: Eucharist, Baptism, and the Inner Rebirth | Jung’s psychological interpretation of Christian symbols |
| 12 | Modern Gnostic Revivals: Jung, Steiner, and Esoteric Christianity Today | Seven Sermons to the Dead – Carl Jung |
| 13 | Meditative Practices: The Prayer of the Heart and Christian Contemplation | Philokalia (selected excerpts), practice sessions |
| 14 | Final Project Presentations and Integration | Student research presentations |
🧾 Assessments
- Weekly Reflections (30%) – Short essays on readings and insights
- Midterm Essay (20%) – Thematic paper on a core Gnostic or esoteric concept
- Final Project (30%) – Presentation and paper on a chosen topic (e.g., Sophia, Christ as Logos, Gospel analysis)
- Participation (20%) – Engagement in discussion forums and meditation labs
📚 Required Texts
- The Nag Hammadi Scriptures – Ed. Marvin Meyer
- Pistis Sophia – Translated edition (G.R.S. Mead or modern)
- The Gnostic Gospels – Elaine Pagels
- The Gospel of Thomas – Jean-Yves Leloup or Bentley Layton edition
- Seven Sermons to the Dead – C.G. Jung
- Supplementary readings from Rudolf Steiner, Manly P. Hall, and Evelyn Underhill