Gnostic Informant

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. 2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LateNiteGnosis Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/uWBZkxd4UX In Sumerian mythology, the Underworld was known as Kur, and it was ruled by the goddess Ereshkigal. The Babylonians also had a similar concept of the Underworld, which they called Irkalla. According to Sumerian mythology, the Underworld was a dark and gloomy place where the souls of the dead went after they passed away. The journey to the Underworld was perilous, and the souls had to navigate through seven gates, each guarded by a different deity. Once in the Underworld, the souls were judged by Ereshkigal and her consort, Nergal. The souls were then assigned to different levels of the Underworld based on their deeds in life. The worst offenders were sent to the lowest level, where they were subjected to eternal torment. The Babylonians had a similar concept of the Underworld, but their version was more complex. According to Babylonian mythology, the Underworld was divided into several levels, each with its own ruler. The souls of the dead had to pass through each level, facing different challenges and obstacles along the way. One of the most famous stories from Babylonian mythology is the tale of Ishtar's descent into the Underworld. Ishtar was the goddess of love and fertility, and she decided to visit the Underworld to rescue her lover, Tammuz. However, she was unable to pass through the gates of the Underworld, and she was forced to remove her clothing and jewelry as payment to the gatekeepers. The seven deities that guard each of the seven gates in the Underworld are named: 1) Neti, 2) Gedu, 3) Ennugi, 4) Ninkasi, 5) Ninimma, 6) Enbilulu, and 7) Dumuzid/SISTER. These deities were believed to have the power to judge the souls of the deceased and determine their fate in the afterlife. It was believed that those who were deemed worthy would be granted access to the afterlife, while those who were deemed unworthy would be condemned to eternal suffering. The purpose of each of the seven gates in the Underworld is to prevent the dead from escaping and to ensure that they are judged fairly before being allowed to enter the afterlife. Each gate is guarded by a different deity, and each deity has a specific role in the judgment process. The first gate is guarded by the god Neti, who checks the name of the deceased against a list of those who are allowed to enter. The second gate is guarded by the god Gedu, who weighs the heart of the deceased against a feather to determine if they have lived a good life. The third gate is guarded by the goddess Lahamu, who judges the deceased based on their deeds in life. The fourth gate is guarded by the god Shala, who determines if the deceased has been faithful to their spouse. The fifth gate is guarded by the goddess Ninlil, who judges the deceased based on their knowledge and wisdom. The sixth gate is guarded by the god Nergal, who determines if the deceased has been a good ruler or leader. The seventh and final gate is guarded by the goddess Ereshkigal, who judges the deceased based on their overall worthiness to enter the afterlife. Ereshkigal is a prominent figure in Sumerian and Babylonian mythology, known as the goddess of the Underworld. She is the sister of the god of the sky, Anu, and the god of the earth, Enlil. Ereshkigal is often depicted as a fearsome and powerful goddess, ruling over the dead and the spirits of the Underworld. Ereshkigal held a senior status among the underworld deities, ruling over the category of so-called "transtigridian snake gods" Two Minoan snake goddess figurines were excavated in 1903 in the Minoan palace at Knossos in the Greek island of Crete. #gnosticinformant #documentary #mythology

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help produce more content. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. 2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LateNiteGnosis Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 The oldest known god in written history is typically considered to be Anu, the sky god, worshiped by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 4,000 BCE. Anu was part of the Sumerian pantheon and was later incorporated into the pantheon of other civilizations in the region, such as the Akkadians and Babylonians. Anu was believed to be the father of the gods and the ruler of the heavens. It's important to note that there may have been older gods or deities worshiped by prehistoric cultures that did not have written records. Archaeological evidence suggests that religious beliefs and practices existed long before the invention of writing. However, without written records, it is Anu & his daughter Ishtar, the morning star, who show up in the beginning. The oldest known tablet or inscription mentioning the god Anu comes from the ancient Sumerian city of Uruk and dates back to around 2500 BCE. This tablet, known as the Uruk King List, is a historical document that lists the kings of Uruk in chronological order. Among the names of the kings, there is a reference to Anu, indicating his prominence as a deity in that period. Additionally, Anu is mentioned in several other ancient Sumerian texts, such as hymns, prayers, and myths, which provide further insights into the role and significance of this god in Sumerian religious beliefs. These texts were written on clay tablets and have been discovered at various archaeological sites in Mesopotamia, including the cities of Nippur, Ur, and Eridu. It's worth noting that these inscriptions and tablets are the oldest known references to Anu specifically, but it is likely that the worship of Anu predates these written records, possibly by several centuries or more. Anu is considered the god of the heavens, and his name is often translated as "sky" or "firmament." Although the word AN is interchangable with the word logogram for the word GOD "diĝir", and it is theorized that the word AN, is cognate with the proto indo european root for the word ONE, which also is AN or EIN, showing ANU as a possible proto-Monad concept of "the ONE". Anu is the son of Anshar and Kishar, who are primordial deities associated with the horizon and the earth. Anu is depicted as a mighty and wise god who resides in the highest heaven, ruling over the other gods. He is often portrayed as the father or progenitor of other deities, including Enlil and Ea (also known as Enki). Anu's role as the supreme deity is sometimes overshadowed by other gods such as Enlil or Marduk, who gained more prominence in later periods. Nevertheless, Anu retains his status as the head of the pantheon and the ultimate authority. Anu's role in the divine hierarchy is also reflected in the Mesopotamian cosmology, where he occupies the highest level of the universe, separated from the earth and its inhabitants. He is associated with the celestial realm, divine laws, and the ordering of the cosmos. In the Akkadian mythology of Babylon, Anu is considered the chief god and the father of all other gods. He plays a crucial role in the creation story known as the Enuma Elish, where he gives birth to the god Ea and grants him authority over the earth. The god OURANOS in Greek mythology seems to have a similar role as "the firmament, or Heavens" god. Or Sky Father: Both Anu and Ouranos are considered the personifications of the sky and are regarded as sky kings. They are associated with the heavens and are seen as the rulers of the celestial realm. Both Anu and Ouranos are considered primordial deities, existing at the beginning of creation. They are among the earliest divine beings in their respective mythologies. #gnosticinformant #sumerian #history

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. 2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LateNiteGnosis Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/uWBZkxd4UX Lucy, the discovery of this 3.2 million-year-old fossil skeleton was such a monumental breakthrough and what it meant for our understanding of human evolution. In 1974, a team of researchers led by the renowned paleoanthropologist Dr. Donald Johanson made a groundbreaking find in the Afar region of Hadar, Ethiopia. They unearthed an almost complete fossil skeleton belonging to an early human ancestor of our species, whom they affectionately named Lucy after the Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." The oldest known religion in Ethiopia is a traditional belief system called "Ethiopian Traditional Religion" or "Ethiopian indigenous faith." This religious practice predates the arrival of Christianity and Islam in the region by thousands of years. It encompasses a wide range of spiritual beliefs and practices that have been passed down through generations and are deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture and heritage. Ethiopian Religion is characterized by its strong connection to nature, ancestral worship, and the belief in supernatural forces and spirits. It incorporates elements of animism, where various aspects of the natural world, such as rivers, mountains, and trees, are considered to possess spiritual essence and are revered accordingly. The practice of Ethiopian Traditional Religion involves rituals, ceremonies, and offerings to appease and seek blessings from ancestral spirits and deities. These rituals often take place in sacred sites, such as forests, mountains, or ancient stone structures known as "mazgabas." The Aksumite religion, also known as the Aksumite Polytheism, refers to the religious practices and beliefs of the Aksumite Empire, an ancient kingdom located in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. The primary deity of the Aksumite religion was the god Mahrem, also known as Astar, who was considered the supreme god and the protector of the Aksumite kingdom. Mahrem was associated with the sky, rain, and fertility. The Aksumite kings, who held significant religious and political authority, were believed to be direct descendants of Mahrem, solidifying their divine status and legitimacy. In addition to Mahrem, the Aksumite pantheon included other gods and goddesses, such as Astar, Beher, Meder, and Waraqa. Each deity had specific domains and was worshipped for various purposes, including fertility, protection, agriculture, and prosperity. The Aksumites also practiced ancestor worship, believing that deceased ancestors played a role in the spiritual well-being and guidance of the living. They would honor and venerate their ancestors through rituals and offerings, seeking their blessings and assistance. The Aksumite religion was closely intertwined with the political and cultural aspects of the empire. Temples and religious structures, such as the famous Stelae of Aksum, were erected to honor the gods and commemorate the rulers. Ritual ceremonies, sacrifices, and festivals were held to celebrate important events, agricultural cycles, and religious observances. With the spread of Christianity in the 4th century CE, the Aksumite religion began to decline. Christianity eventually became the dominant religion in the region and played a significant role in shaping Ethiopian culture and identity. #gnosticinformant #documentary #africa

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. 2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LateNiteGnosis Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/uWBZkxd4UX The origins and ethnic identity of the Pelasgians are uncertain. Some ancient sources believe they were an indigenous people of Greece, while others suggest they might have migrated from different regions, including the Black Sea Regions, Anatolia or the Balkans. Their precise ethnicity and language remain unresolved, though a combination of Proto-Indo European and Native Mediterannean is the most likely. The earliest references to the Pelasgians can be found in ancient Greek literature, particularly in the works of Homer, Herodotus, and Thucydides. In the Iliad, there were Pelasgians on both sides of the Trojan War. WHen Homer explains who the Ancient Trojans were, Pelasgians are mentioned between the Hellespontine cities and Thrace. Homer calls their town or district "Larisa" and characterises it as fertile, and its inhabitants as celebrated for their spearsmanship. He records their chiefs as Hippothous and Pylaeus, sons of Lethus, son of Teutamides. The Iliad also refers to the camp at Greece, specifically at "Argos Pelasgikon", which is most likely to be the plain of Thessaly, and to "Pelasgic Zeus", living in and ruling over Dodona. According to Homer, Pelasgians were camping out on the shore together with the following tribes: "Towards the sea lie the Carians and the Paeonians, with curved bows, and the Leleges and Caucones, and the goodly Pelasgi." In the Odyssey, they appear among the inhabitants of Crete. Which would possibly equate them with the Minoans themselves, who invented Purple Dye and migrated east towards coastal Levant and conquered Egypt. Odysseus, affecting to be Cretan himself, instances Pelasgians among the tribes in the ninety cities of Crete, "language mixing with language side by side".Last on his list, Homer distinguishes them from other ethnicities on the island: "Cretans proper", Achaeans, Cydonians, Dorians, and "noble Pelasgians". A fragment from Hesiod, calls Dodona, identified by reference to "the oak", the "seat of Pelasgians", thus explaining why Homer, in referring to Zeus as he ruled over Dodona, did not style him "Dodonic" but Pelasgic Zeus. He mentions also that Pelasgus was the father of King Lycaon of Arcadia. Asius of Samos claimed that Pelasgus as the first man, born of the earth.This account features centrally in the construction of an enduring autochthonous Arcadian identity into the Classical period. In a fragment by Pausanias, he cites Asius who describes the foundational hero of the Greek ethnic groups as "godlike Pelasgus [whom the] black earth gave up". Sophocles, in one of his famous plays, presents Inachus, as the elder in the lands of Argos, the Heran hills and among the Tyrsenoi Pelasgoi, an unusual hyphenated noun construction, "Tyrsenians-Pelasgians". Interpretation is open, even though translators typically make a decision, but Tyrsenians may well be the ethnonym Tyrrhenoi. A possible connection to the city of Tyre, a possible location where many Minoan Migrants moved to. All of this comes into context when we examine the writings of Pherecydes of Syros, the famous Pre-Socratic, who claims to have in his posession, the Pelasgian Creation myth, who he says was given to him by Phoenican Scholars. The sequence of Pherecydes' creation myth is as follows. First, there are the eternal gods Zas (Zeus), Chthoniê (Gaia) and Chronos (Kronos). Then Chronos creates elements in niches in the earth with his seed, from which other gods arise. This is followed by the three-day wedding of Zas and Chthonie. #gnosticinformant #4k #documentary

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. 2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LateNiteGnosis Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/uWBZkxd4UX Cyprus has a long history, with evidence of human habitation dating back as far as the 10th millennium BC. These earliest inhabitants are believed to have been hunter-gatherers who crossed over to the island from the nearby regions of the Middle East. The first major wave of civilization in Cyprus was during the Neolithic period, around 7000-6000 BC, when farming communities began to develop. The Bronze Age, which started around 2500 BC, brought significant advancements in metallurgy and commerce. Cyprus has since been occupied by a series of different civilizations including the Mycenaean Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Arab caliphates, French Lusignan, Venetians, Ottoman Turks, and British. The Neolithic period on Cyprus, also known as the New Stone Age, is characterized by significant advancements in human technology and culture. It's believed to have started around 8200-7000 BC and lasted until about 3900 BC, spanning the Aceramic (without pottery) and Ceramic (with pottery) Neolithic periods. In the Aceramic Neolithic period (8200-5200 BC), Cyprus saw its first permanent human settlements. The inhabitants lived in round houses and survived mainly by hunting, gathering, and fishing. The Khirokitia culture is a well-known example of this period, with a well-preserved archaeological site that has provided a great deal of information about the early settlers' way of life. The Khirokitia people are known for their innovative architecture, including stone round houses, which were often partially buried in the ground for insulation. The Ceramic Neolithic period (ca. 4500-3900 BC) marked the introduction of pottery, more sophisticated tools, and the beginnings of agriculture. The Sotira culture is a significant group from this period. During this time, Cyprus had significant interactions with the surrounding regions, especially the Levantine coast, as evidenced by the commonality in certain types of pottery and other artifacts. Despite being an island, Cyprus had a rich Neolithic culture that closely mirrored the major developments happening on the mainland at the same time. The evidence of these ancient cultures provides invaluable insights into the human journey from hunter-gatherers to settled farming communities. The Copper Age, also known as the Chalcolithic Age, in Cyprus is believed to have begun around 3900 BC and continued until the advent of the Bronze Age around 2500 BC. This period is characterized by the development and use of copper, in addition to stone, for tools and other items. While farming continued to be the primary source of sustenance during the Copper Age, the inhabitants of Cyprus began to master the smelting and working of copper, which was abundant on the island. This allowed for the production of more durable tools, weapons, and other objects, facilitating a significant advancement in technology. The Cypriot Chalcolithic period is also noted for the production of distinctively decorated pottery, and for the beginning of trade relations with the surrounding regions. Artifacts from this period, such as cruciform figurines, plank-shaped figurines, and pottery with complex incised decoration, show a sophistication in their craftsmanship. These artifacts indicate that society was becoming more complex, with the development of new rituals and social norms. In terms of settlement, people during this period tended to live in small villages, usually built on hills, which allowed them to easily defend themselves. The architecture was simple, generally featuring round or rectangular houses. #gnosticinformant #documentary #4k

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. Dr. Joshua Bowen (Ph.d) & Megan Lewis (M.A) Assyriology www.youtube.com/digitalhammurabi Learn to Read Sumerian: https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Read-Ancient-Sumerian-Introduction/dp/1734358602 Despite their ancient origins, the Anunnaki have been subject to many contemporary reinterpretations, notably in various fringe theories and works of pseudo-history. These often involve extraterrestrial influences and other speculative concepts, but these ideas are not supported by mainstream scholarship or historical evidence. But more on that later as well. The mythology of the Anunnaki is complex and spans several ancient cultures, with the earliest accounts coming from the Sumerians. Their stories, like many ancient mythologies, attempt to explain the origin of the world, the nature of gods and humanity, and the laws that govern existence. In Sumerian mythology, the Anunnaki were initially viewed as celestial deities associated with various aspects of life and nature. However, the term Anunnaki gradually came to be associated more specifically with chthonic (underworld) deities. In Mesopotamian mythology, the term "Anunnaki" was used to refer to deities in general, but it was often specifically associated with the deities of the underworld, the realm of the dead. However, this does not necessarily imply a negative or punitive association. In many ancient cultures, the world was perceived as a multitiered structure, often divided into heavens, earth, and underworld. Gods and goddesses were assigned to different realms based on their roles and functions. The Anunnaki are depicted in various myths as judges in the underworld, ruling over the fate of the dead. For instance, the goddess Ereshkigal, the queen of the underworld, and Nergal, the god of death and plague, were both considered part of the Anunnaki. The reason why many of the Anunnaki were associated with the underworld is likely related to the Sumerians' beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife. The underworld, known as Kur or Irkalla, was considered a dreary, dark place where the spirits of the dead existed in a shadowy version of their earthly life, sustained by libations and offerings from the living. The Nephilim, as depicted in biblical traditions, are the offspring of the sons of gods (or fallen angels) and are described as giants. In general, the Anunnaki and the fallen angels, who give birth to giants, or Nephilim, are separate entities from distinct cultural and religious contexts: Mesopotamian mythology and Hebrew religion, respectively. Both undergo the wrath of God and try to teach humans knowledge. Both the Anunnaki and the fallen angels are seen as powerful beings with the ability to influence humanity. The Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish religious work, ascribes the origins of sin and corruption on earth to a group of angels known as the "Watchers," who fell from grace by mating with human women and teaching humanity forbidden knowledge. But rather than the Anunnaki, This story shares more elements with the myth of the apkallu, seven wise men or demigods in Mesopotamian mythology who were created by the god Enki (a member of the Anunnaki) to establish culture and give civilization to mankind. #gnosticinformant #nephilim #anunnaki

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Thank you existing Patrons. The Etruscans, who lived primarily in the region now known as Tuscany, emerged around the 8th century BCE. They had a significant impact on the early Roman civilization and were eventually absorbed by the Romans. There were also various Italic tribes, including the Latins, Sabines, and Samnites, who lived in the Italian peninsula from around the 2nd millennium BCE. The Latins were the tribe from which the Romans emerged. Starting from the 8th century BCE, the Greeks established colonies in southern Italy and Sicily, an area that was often referred to as Magna Graecia. Aeneas, a legendary figure of both Trojan and Roman mythology, is renowned as the son of the divine Aphrodite and mortal Anchises. A part of Troy's royal lineage and a kin of Hector, Aeneas was a distinguished defender of his city during the Trojan War, demonstrating martial prowess second only to Hector himself. Homer's work subtly hints at Aeneas' discontent with his secondary role, thereby giving rise to a later narrative that posits Aeneas as a conspirator in Troy's betrayal to the Greeks. However, a more prevalent version of his story portrays Aeneas as the helm of the Trojan survivors following the Greek conquest of Troy. Regardless of these divergent accounts, the common thread in all the narratives is the survival of Aeneas, enabling him to be woven into the fabric of Roman mythology. The connection of Homeric heroes to Italy and Sicily can be traced back to the 8th century BCE, coinciding with the era when Homer's epics are believed to have transitioned into written form. Greek colonies, established in Italy and Sicily during this period and the ensuing century, often claimed lineage from figures central to the Trojan War. Aeneas, in particular, was associated with various locales and dynasties, notably within the region of Latium. As the Roman Empire expanded throughout Italy and across the Mediterranean, Roman authors imbued with a sense of patriotism sought to craft a mythological tradition that would simultaneously infuse their land with historical grandeur and subdue an underlying resentment towards Greek cultural hegemony. Aeneas, in his role as a Trojan adversary of the Greeks, and with a post-war narrative open to interpretation, was uniquely suited to embody the mythical precursor to the inception of Roman supremacy. Composed circa 29-19 BCE, Virgil's Aeneid narrates across 12 books the mythic establishment of Lavinium, the precursor to Alba Longa and Rome, by the Trojan hero Aeneas. As Virgil recounts, when the Greeks seized Troy, a resilient Aeneas was instructed by the apparition of Hector to escape and initiate a significant city abroad. Mustering his family and followers, Aeneas secured the penates— household deities—of Troy. However, amidst the chaos of evacuation from the burning city, his wife vanished. Her spirit later appeared to him, revealing his destiny to venture to a land in the west where the Tiber River coursed. Thus began Aeneas's epic journey, with stops in Thrace, Crete, and Sicily, and fraught with a plethora of trials culminating in a shipwreck near Carthage on the African coast. Here, he was hospitably received by Dido, the bereaved queen. As he narrated his tale, they fell in love and he delayed his journey until a stern reminder from the god Mercury refocused him on his ultimate objective: Rome. Wracked with guilt, he immediately deserted Dido, who subsequently ended her own life. Resuming his voyage, Aeneas eventually reached the mouth of the Tiber. #gnosticinformant #ancientrome #documentary #4k #rome #religion

Kyle Smith (Ph.D) Kyle Smith is associate professor and director of the History of Religions program at the University of Toronto. An award-winning teacher, he is the author or co-author of five books about Christian saints and martyrs. His most recent book, Cult of the Dead: A Brief History of Christianity, tells the fascinating story of how the world's most widespread religion is steeped in the memory of its martyrs. Links: Twitter, Instagram & TikTok: @kylesmithTO https://www.kylesmithto.com/ The Book "Cult of the Dead: A brief history of Christianity https://www.ucpress.edu/book/97805203...https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. Though it promises eternal life, Christianity was forged in death. Christianity is built upon the legacies of the apostles and martyrs who chose to die rather than renounce the name of their lord. In this innovative cultural history, Kyle Smith shows how a devotion to death has shaped Christianity for two thousand years. For centuries, Christians have cared for their saints, curating their deaths as examples of holiness. Martyrs’ stories, lurid legends of torture, have been told and retold, translated and rewritten. Martyrs’ bones are alive in the world, relics pulsing with wonder. Martyrs’ shrines are still visited by pilgrims, many in search of a miracle. Martyrs have even shaped the Christian conception of time, with each day of the year celebrating the death of a saint. From Roman antiquity to the present, by way of medieval England and the Protestant Reformation, Cult of the Dead tells the fascinating story of how the world’s most widespread religion is steeped in the memory of its martyrs. Reviews “With sly wit, subtle humour, agile prose and empathetic imagination, Kyle Smith narrates the growth of one of Christianity’s defining traditions.” —Times Literary Supplement “Cult of the Dead is the rare academic book that shows empathy; for the martyrs themselves [and] for those with devotion to them … Smith does our dearly departed the ultimate favor: He allows the dead to speak once more.” — National Catholic Reporter “Sheer erudition.” — Commonweal “For a topic that encompasses millennia of fascinating history, Smith’s digestible book offers a compelling and comprehensive introduction to the role of the lives and afterlives of Christianity’s martyrs in Western society from late antiquity to the present day.” — The New Criterion From the Back Cover “A brilliant, entertaining, and accessible account of the history of martyrdom. Invaluable for anyone interested in understanding the Christian faith.” —Bart D. Ehrman, author of Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why “An elegant and enlightening book.” —Elizabeth A. Castelli, author of Martyrdom and Memory: Early Christian Culture Making “A sweeping tour through the history of Christianity that makes the familiar seem fresh and dramatically brings to life the remarkable connections across time and space that constitute the Christian story.” —Kyle Harper, author of The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire “Cult of the Dead is vivid, readable, and often witty. Taking the reader on a journey from the time of Christ to the seventeenth century, it shows the intimate engagement with death at the heart of Christianity.” —Mary Wellesley, author of The Gilded Page: The Secret Lives of Medieval Manuscripts “Masterfully presented. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the significance of pain, torture, and death in the construction of Christian communities from the time of the apostles to the Protestant Reformation.” —Kristina Sessa, author of Daily Life in Late Antiquity 2nd Channel:    / @latenitegnosis   Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/uWBZkxd4UX#gnosticinformant #christianity #cultofthedead

Join Professor Tony Burke, an expert on early Christian literature and author of "New Testament Apocrypha," as he dives deep into the world of forgotten gospels. Discover how non-canonical texts like the Gospel of Thomas challenge traditional narratives and offer a richer understanding of early Christianity. Burke unpacks the duality of Judas Iscariot, revealing his complex portrayal as both hero and villain. Explore the preservation struggles of ancient Gnostic texts and the cultural influences that shape their interpretations today.

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. John S. Kloppenborg is a specialist in Christian origins and second Temple Judaism, in particular the Jesus tradition (the canonical and non canonical gospels), and the social world of the early Jesus movement in Jewish Palestine and in the cities of the eastern Empire. He has written extensively on the Synoptic Sayings Gospel (Q) and the Synoptic Problem, and is currently writing on the parables of Jesus, the letter of James, and cultic, professional, and ethnic associations in the Graeco-Roman world. He is one of the general editors of the International Q Project and holds a five year SSHRC Insight Grant on Associative Practices in the Graeco-Roman World. https://www.tst.edu/directory/faculty... Professor John Kloppenborg: https://www.religion.utoronto.ca/peop... Get the Book Christ's Associations (Recommended): https://www.amazon.com/Christs-Associ... Q: https://www.amazon.com/Earliest-Gospe... Though this document has never been found, John Kloppenborg offers a succinct account of why scholars maintain it existed in the first place and demonstrates how they have been able to reconstruct its contents and wording from the two later Gospels that used it as a source: Matthew and Luke. Presented here in its entirety, as developed by the International Q Project, this Gospel reveals a very different portrait of Jesus than in much of the later canonical writings, challenging the way we think of Christian origins and the very nature and mission of Jesus Christ. Drawing on data about associative practices throughout the ancient world, this innovative study offers new insight into the structure and mission of the early Christ groups. John S. Kloppenborg situates the Christ associations within the broader historical context of the ancient Mediterranean and reveals that they were probably smaller than previously believed and did not have a uniform system of governance, and that the attraction of Christ groups was based more on practice than theological belief. -- Contents: 00:00 - Intro 05:00 - Ecclesia 14:10 - Q 24:05 - Gospel of Thomas 28:25 - Paul's Knowledge of Q 32:18 - God Fearers, Syncretists, and Hypsisterians 39:07 - Cult Receptions in Rome 40:58 - Mythicism 50:36 - What Jesus Really Said 01:03:28 - Pagan Christian Connections 01:15:26 - Outro -- 2nd Channel:    / @latenitegnosis   Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/uWBZkxd4UX Reconstructions of the historical Jesus are based on the Pauline epistles and the gospels, while several non-biblical sources also support his historical existence. Since the 18th century, three separate scholarly quests for the historical Jesus have taken place, each with distinct characteristics and developing new and different research criteria. Virtually all scholars of antiquity agree that Jesus existed. Historian Michael Grant asserts that if conventional standards of historical criticism are applied to the New Testament, "we can no more reject Jesus' existence than we can reject the existence of a mass of pagan personages whose reality as historical figures is never questioned." There is no indication that writers in antiquity who opposed Christianity questioned the existence of Jesus. @kloppenborg Estimated to date back to the very early Jesus movement, the lost Gospel known as Q offers a distinct and remarkable picture of Jesus and his significance--and one that differs markedly from that offered by its contemporary, the apostle Paul. Q presents Jesus as a prophetic critic of unbelief and a sage with the wisdom that can transform. In Q, the true meaning of the "kingdom of God" is the fulfillment of a just society through the transformation of the human relationships within it. #gnosticinformant #jesus #christianity