Even as public interest is attracted to this esoteric religion, Escholars have debated its origins, its relationship to Judaismand Christianity, and even whether one distinctive and separateGnostic "religion" ever existed. Birger Pearson's expert andaccessible introduction brings the reader into the debate.Directly addressing the nettling questions of origins anddefinition, Pearson situates the advent of Gnosticism within theGreco-Roman religious world and critically appraises the sources.With illustrations, maps, timeline, and bibliography, Pearson'svolume facilitates the pursuit of gnosis, at least historically, bygeneral readers, students and scholars alike. "A useful introduction ... a judicious treatment of numerous thorny issues." -- Harold Attridge, Yale Divinity School "A useful introduction...a judicious treatment of numerous thorny issues." -- Harold Attridge, Yale Divinity School Birger A. Pearson is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and editor of The Roots of Egyptian Christianity (Fortress Press, 1986, with James E. Goehring), and author of the forthcoming Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature (Fortress Press, 2007). Used Book in Good Condition