Ancient Christian Magic and The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus: The Definitive Collection of Mystical Gospels and Secret Books about Jesus of Nazareth

The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus: The Definitive Collection of Mystical Gospels and Secret Books about Jesus of Nazareth

Ancient Christian Magic

Name: Ancient Christian Magic
Price: 36.43 GBP
Availability: InStock
Author: Marvin W. Meyer
ISBN: 9780691004587

Coptic Texts of Ritual Power

by Marvin W. Meyer, Richard Smith

Paperback
432 pages
Publisher: Princeton University Press
15.7 x 23.4 x 3 cm

£36.43Save 39% | Free UK Delivery

Free UK Delivery | Save 39% | Available - Usually dispatched within 4 days

Available - Usually dispatched within 4 days

Buying for a school or church? Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account

This thought-provoking collection of magical texts from ancient Egypt shows the exotic rituals, esoteric healing practices, and incantatory and supernatural dimensions that flowered in early Christianity. These remarkable Christian magical texts include curses, spells of protection from "headless powers" and evil spirits, spells invoking thunderous powers, descriptions of fire baptism, and even recipes from a magical "cookbook." Virtually all the texts are by Coptic Christians, and they date from about the 1st-12th centuries of the common era, with the majority from late antiquity. By placing these rarely seen texts in historical context and discussing their significance, the authors explore the place of healing, prayer, miracles, and magic in the early Christian experience, and expand our understanding of Christianity and Gnosticism as a vital folk religion.