GNOSTICISM

Master of Gnosticism (M.Gnos.) program, integrating ancient Gnostic texts, comparative esotericism, and mystical theology. This program is designed for scholars, theologians, and seekers interested in exploring Gnostic wisdom academically and spiritually.


Master of Gnosticism (M.Gnos.)

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time) or 3-4 years (part-time)
  • Delivery: Online, or Hybrid
  • Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in Theology, Philosophy, Religious Studies, or a related field


🔹 Year 1: Foundations of Gnostic Tradition

Semester 1:

  • Introduction to Gnostic Thought and History
    Origins in the 1st–4th centuries CE, key schools (Sethian, Valentinian, Basilidean), dualism, Sophia myth.
  • The Nag Hammadi Library I
    Reading and analysis of key texts: Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Truth, Apocryphon of John.
  • Comparative Esotericism I: Greek, Egyptian, and Jewish Roots
    Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Kabbalah, influences on early Gnosticism.
  • Mystical Anthropology: The Divine Human
    Gnostic views on the soul, spirit, and the “divine spark” in man.

Semester 2:

  • Valentinian Theology and Myth
    Study of Pleroma, Aeons, Sophia’s fall, the Demiurge.
  • The Nag Hammadi Library II
    Texts: Pistis Sophia, Gospel of Philip, Tripartite Tractate.
  • Esoteric Christianity and Gnosticism
    Hidden teachings of Jesus, Christ as Aeon, parallels in apocryphal texts.
  • Gnostic Meditation and Inner Revelation
    Practice-based course: prayer, visualization, silence, and self-gnosis.


🔹 Year 2: Advanced Studies and Application

Semester 3:

  • Modern Gnosticism and the Esoteric Revival
    Jung, the Gnostic Church, Theosophy, Rudolf Steiner, contemporary Gnostic movements.
  • Gnosis and Liberation: Soteriology in Gnosticism
    The process of awakening, liberation from archons, the role of knowledge (gnosis).
  • Comparative Esotericism II: East and West
    Tantric Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Sufism, Christian mysticism.
  • Research Methods in Gnostic Studies
    Critical theory, textual analysis, symbolic hermeneutics.

Semester 4:

  • Master’s Thesis / Capstone Project
    Research in a focused area: e.g., Sophia and the Feminine Divine, Gnostic Christology, Jungian Gnosticism.
  • Oral Defense and Thesis Review Panel


📘 Core Texts:

  • The Nag Hammadi Scriptures – Ed. Marvin Meyer
  • Pistis Sophia
  • The Gospel of Thomas
  • The Gnostic Religion – Hans Jonas
  • Aeon: Aion – Carl Jung
  • The Gnostic Gospels – Elaine Pagels
  • The Hymn of the Pearl


🎓 Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will be able to:

  • Interpret Gnostic scriptures within historical, symbolic, and experiential contexts.
  • Analyze Gnosticism's relationship with other esoteric systems.
  • Integrate scholarly and spiritual insights into original research.
  • Apply Gnostic concepts in ethical, theological, or philosophical frameworks.