Comments on: Reflections on Teaching Gnosticism I: The Syllabus http://www.TonyBurke.ca/apocryphicity/2008/02/12/reflections-on-teaching-gnosticism-i-the-syllabus/ A weblog devoted to the study of the Christian Apocrypha Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:44:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: warren chan http://www.TonyBurke.ca/apocryphicity/2008/02/12/reflections-on-teaching-gnosticism-i-the-syllabus/comment-page-1/#comment-9644 warren chan Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:13:12 +0000 http://www.TonyBurke.ca/apocryphicity/2008/02/12/reflections-on-teaching-gnosticism-i-the-syllabus/#comment-9644 this course broadened my horizons when it comes to studying and growing up to the orthodox view of christianity and coming from a catholic upbringing. It has challenged my way of thinking. I think the readings for the course are tolerable although I have mixed reviews about the textbook that we have to read: Ancient gnosticism, read is turing out to be a chore sometimes but i can tolerate it as it isn't as long inscrutiating as the re-thinking gnosticism text I am reading now, the Nag Hammadi scriptures is a great resource and interesting. The gnostic gospels book by Elaine pagels book was an easy read and easy to understand. The assignments I think are a challenge for a student that has a limited amount of knowledge in religious studies. moreover I am not complaining about the marking scheme of the course as the assigments as the course continues are respectively weighted in marking shceme respectfully. The lectures are fun and interesting to attend and atleast there is some participation with a tutorial part by the end of classtime sometime. looking forward to watch blade runner re-cut since I never got to watch it. this class is coming to an end soon. thank you tony for teaching it and I hope i get to pass your course cheers! this course broadened my horizons when it comes to studying and growing up to the orthodox view of christianity and coming from a catholic upbringing. It has challenged my way of thinking. I think the readings for the course are tolerable although I have mixed reviews about the textbook that we have to read: Ancient gnosticism, read is turing out to be a chore sometimes but i can tolerate it as it isn’t as long inscrutiating as the re-thinking gnosticism text I am reading now, the Nag Hammadi scriptures is a great resource and interesting. The gnostic gospels book by Elaine pagels book was an easy read and easy to understand. The assignments I think are a challenge for a student that has a limited amount of knowledge in religious studies. moreover I am not complaining about the marking scheme of the course as the assigments as the course continues are respectively weighted in marking shceme respectfully. The lectures are fun and interesting to attend and atleast there is some participation with a tutorial part by the end of classtime sometime. looking forward to watch blade runner re-cut since I never got to watch it. this class is coming to an end soon. thank you tony for teaching it and I hope i get to pass your course cheers!

]]> By: Adam Duncan http://www.TonyBurke.ca/apocryphicity/2008/02/12/reflections-on-teaching-gnosticism-i-the-syllabus/comment-page-1/#comment-9562 Adam Duncan Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:34:28 +0000 http://www.TonyBurke.ca/apocryphicity/2008/02/12/reflections-on-teaching-gnosticism-i-the-syllabus/#comment-9562 Gnostic Movies I was thinking about what movies might have gnostic parallels, and it came to me that the Matrix might need a closer look. The Matrix involves a world that is not the 'true' world but is rather a fascimily created by the 'architect'. The architect is a cruel and uncaring ruler who keeps humanity from reaching the higher level of reality. Also within the construct reality there is a female figure who is a master of knowledge (the future, good and evil). This Oracle figure helps to identify those who have a gift and are able to seperate themselves from the construct and into the higher reality. Of course then we have the redeemer figure who comes down from the higher reality to awaken people within the construct world and help them achieve consciousness in the higher reality. Not everyone can be awakened like this, only those with the gift can, and even then, they must make the conscious choice to move to the higher reality. I admit that the Keanue Reeve's character is much more of a Jesus figure as he is the ultimate of perfect who is betrayed by his inner circle, dies and is ressurected in the flesh; but he does eventually help to rejoin the character of knowledge (Oracle/Sophia) with the character of creation (Architect/Demiurge). I know I've only drawn a handfull of connections, though I'm certain there are more. Adam Gnostic Movies

I was thinking about what movies might have gnostic parallels, and it came to me that the Matrix might need a closer look.

The Matrix involves a world that is not the ‘true’ world but is rather a fascimily created by the ‘architect’. The architect is a cruel and uncaring ruler who keeps humanity from reaching the higher level of reality.

Also within the construct reality there is a female figure who is a master of knowledge (the future, good and evil). This Oracle figure helps to identify those who have a gift and are able to seperate themselves from the construct and into the higher reality.
Of course then we have the redeemer figure who comes down from the higher reality to awaken people within the construct world and help them achieve consciousness in the higher reality.

Not everyone can be awakened like this, only those with the gift can, and even then, they must make the conscious choice to move to the higher reality.

I admit that the Keanue Reeve’s character is much more of a Jesus figure as he is the ultimate of perfect who is betrayed by his inner circle, dies and is ressurected in the flesh; but he does eventually help to rejoin the character of knowledge (Oracle/Sophia) with the character of creation (Architect/Demiurge).

I know I’ve only drawn a handfull of connections, though I’m certain there are more.

Adam

]]> By: Joshua Demers http://www.TonyBurke.ca/apocryphicity/2008/02/12/reflections-on-teaching-gnosticism-i-the-syllabus/comment-page-1/#comment-8773 Joshua Demers Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:03:22 +0000 http://www.TonyBurke.ca/apocryphicity/2008/02/12/reflections-on-teaching-gnosticism-i-the-syllabus/#comment-8773 Isn't Scientology a form of Gnosticism too? It sounds like it from how wikipedia describes it. Cheers, Joshua Isn’t Scientology a form of Gnosticism too? It sounds like it from how wikipedia describes it.

Cheers,
Joshua

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