Members of this congress explore the Gnostic in Western culture
from the ancient world to the modern New Age, tracing the
emergence, persistence, and disappearance of metaphysical
religious currents that are perceived to be countercultural,
inverted, transgressive and/or subversive in their relationship to
normative religion and their claim to knowledge.
The main
purpose of this interdisciplinary conference is to unlock the
Gnostic from its cage in the ancient world and to challenge the
prevailing academic opinion that the Gnostic is a useless category
because it reifies as heretics people who were simply
“alternative” devout Christians.
Sponsored by the Rockwell Fund
March 26 – March 28, 2015
Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
Rice University
April D. DeConick
Mark Gregory Pegg
Grant Adamson
Victoria Nelson
Dylan M. Burns
Erik Davis
John D. Turner
Mark Pilkington
Zeke Mazur
Wouter J. Hanegraaff
Gregory Shaw
Mattthew J. Dillon
Michael Kaler
Sarah Iles Johnston
Fritz Graf
Brent Landau
Kocku von Stuckrad
Stephen C. Finley
M. David Litwa
Margarita Simon Guillory
Lautaro Roig Lanzillota
Jeffrey J Kripal
Gnostic Counter Cultures
GEM Collective Conference
Department
of Religion,
Rice University
Department
of Religion
Thursday, March 26
3:00
Thursday,
4:00
Rice University
Rice shuttle pick up
March
26
Welcome, APRIL D. DeCONICK and JEFFREY J. KRIPAL
Session 1: Rice
The Beginnings
of Gnosticism
3:00
shuttle pick up
Presider,APRIL
MICHAEL
DOMERACKI
4:00
Welcome,
D. DeCONICK
and JEFFREY J. KRIPAL
4:15-4:40 APRIL D. DeCONICK
Session 1: The Beginnings of Gnosticism
The Ancient New Age and the Revolution of Religion
Presider, MICHAEL DOMERACKI
DeConick offers a way to think about gnosticism as the rise of an innovative form of
4:15-4:40spirituality
APRILinD.
DeCONICK, The Ancient New Age and the Revolution of
the ancient world, a transgressive metaphysics that could be linked to
Religion
a variety of religious affiliations (like Fundamentalism is today). Gnostic spirituality
4:40-5:05in antiquity
GRANTisADAMSON,
“I Turned
Away
From the Temple”:
Sethian
associated with
four ideal
characteristics
framed around
the concept
of gnosis,
or the direct
experiential
knowledge
Counterculture
in the
Apocryphon
of John of a transcendent God. This
countercultural
spirituality
survives
today onofthe
shoulders
three great
Gnostic
The Gnostic authors
of the
Apocryphon
John
and itsofrelated
Sethian
texts
Awakenings
that
re-circulated
old
Gnostic
artifacts,
not
to
mention
ecstatic
demonized and vilified the creator, which shocked their opponents, not only
experiences of transcendence which continue to sponsor the gnostic.
their fellow Jews and Christians but also Greek philosophers. Their
4:40-5:05
GRANTthought
ADAMSON
opponents
that this demonization and vilification of the maker of
“I
Turned
Away
From
the heretical,
Temple”: impious,
Sethian Counterculture
in the
heaven and earth
was
sinfully
and blasphemous.
Modern
Apocryphon
of
John
scholarship does not have to side with Irenaeus and Origen, Celsus and
The Gnostic authors of the Apocryphon of John and its related Sethian texts
Plotinus, in thinking so. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t sociologically
demonized and vilified the creator, which shocked their opponents, not only their
transgressive or countercultural of the Gnostic authors of the apocryphon to
fellow Jews and Christians but also Greek philosophers. Their opponents thought
depict
biblical and
creator
an ignorant,
jealous
that
thisthe
demonization
andPlatonic
vilification
of the as
maker
of heaven boastful,
and earth and
was sinfully
apostate.
It
was.
heretical, impious, and blasphemous. Modern scholarship does not have to side
5:05-5:30with Irenaeus
DYLAN M.
andBURNS,
Origen, Celsus
Archon-Seduction,
and Plotinus, in thinking
Demonso.
Sex,
Butand
that doesn’t
Sodomites
mean
it Scholarship
wasn’t sociologically
or countercultural
of the Gnosticism,
Gnostic authors
of the
has oftransgressive
late sought
to “domesticate”
properly
apocryphon
to
depict
the
biblical
and
Platonic
creator
as
an
ignorant,
boastful,
and
situating “Gnostic” literature in the greater world of early Christianity rather
jealous
apostate.
It
was.
than consigning it to the periphery, as a delinquent amongst the ancient
5:05-5:30
DYLAN
M. BURNS
Christian
schools
of thought. Yet not all Gnostic texts are so easy to tame;
Archon-Seduction,
Demon
Sex, and
Sodomites
the Paraphrase of Shem (Nag
Hammadi
Codex
VII,1), for instance, is a work
Scholarship
has
of
late
sought
to
“domesticate”
Gnosticism,
properly
situating
replete with seemingly obscene material—ranging
from the
seduction
of a
“Gnostic” literature in the greater world of early Christianity rather than consigning
delinquent womb to a demonic sex scene and valorization of the
it to the periphery, as a delinquent amongst the ancient Christian schools of thought.
Sodomites—and thus has much to tell us about the role of transgression
Yet not all Gnostic texts are so easy to tame; the Paraphrase of Shem (Nag Hammadi
(or lack
thereof)
in Gnostic
dare
to readobscene
it. This material—
paper will
Codex
VII,1),
for instance,
is a thought…if
work repletewe
with
seemingly
address
these
shocking of
passages,
contextualizing
them insex
light
of other
ranging
from
the seduction
a delinquent
womb to a demonic
scene
and
evidence ofpertaining
to sexualized
Gnostic
myths,
those
valorization
the Sodomites—and
thus has
much to
tell usparticularly
about the role
of
transgression
lack Epiphanius
thereof) in Gnostic
we dare to read it. This
paper
associated (orby
withthought…if
the “Borborites”—the
“Libertine
will
address par
these
shocking passages, contextualizing them in light of other
Gnostics”
excellence.
evidence
pertaining to sexualized Gnostic myths, particularly those associated by
5:30 – 5:45
Discussion
Epiphanius with the “Borborites”—the “Libertine Gnostics” par excellence.
6:30
Shuttle to hotel
5:30 – 5:45 Discussion
6:30
Shuttle to hotel
Friday,March
March27
27
Friday,
7:45
Shuttle pick up
7:45– 9:00 Continental
Shuttle pick
up
8:30
Breakfast
8:30 –2:
9:00
Continental
Breakfast
Session
Gnosticism
and Neo-Platoism
Presider,
SRAVANA
BORKATAKY-VARMA
Session 2: Gnosticism and Neo-Platoism
9:00 – 9:25 JOHN
D. TURNER,
Transgressing
Boundaries: Plotinus and the Gnostics?
Presider,
SRAVANA
BORKATAKY-VARMA
An examination of instances of Plotinus’ critique in the first ten chapters
of Ennead
II.9,D.“Against
the Gnostics,” regarding doctrines reflected in the Sethian
9:00 – 9:25
JOHN
TURNER
Platonizing
treatises and
the Valentinian
Tripartite
Tractate
insofar they may be
Transgressing
Boundaries:
Plotinus
and the
Gnostics?
appropriately
considered
as transgressions
Platonic
metaphysics
of
An examination
of instances
of Plotinus’ of
critique
in the
first ten and
chapters
traditional
principles
of philosophical
hermeneutics
and etiquette
that in
may
may
of Ennead
II.9, “Against
the Gnostics,”
regarding doctrines
reflected
theorSethian
not
merit the designation
“countercultural.”
Platonizing
treatises and
the Valentinian Tripartite Tractate insofar they may be
9:25 – 9:50appropriately
ZEKE MAZUR,
Forbidden
Knowledge:ofCognitive
Transgression
considered
as transgressions
Platonic metaphysics
and ofand
traditional
principles
of
philosophical
hermeneutics
and
etiquette
that
may
or
may
not merit the
Ascent Above the Intellect
designation
“countercultural.”
Throughout
Ennead
II.9[33] Against the Gnostics, Plotinus repeatedly (and perhaps
hypocritically)
complains that his Gnostic friends claim to possess an extraordinary
9:25 – 9:50
ZEKE MAZUR
capability
to undertake
a contemplative
or visionaryand
ascent
the
Forbidden
Knowledge:
Cognitive Transgression
Ascentbeyond
Above the
divine Intellect
itself
so
as
to
attain
the
transcendent
(and
hypernoetic)
deity:
a
claim
Intellect
which
he considers
theII.9[33]
heightAgainst
of arrogance
or hubris.
This paper
will examine
the
Throughout
Ennead
the Gnostics,
Plotinus
repeatedly
(and perhaps
curiously
transgressive
theme
it occurs
in various
hypocritically)
complains
that of
his'ascent
Gnosticabove
friendsintellect'
claim to as
possess
an extraordinary
Gnostic
systems
the 2nd–3rd
centuries CE, asorwell
as in Plotinus
capability
to of
undertake
a contemplative
visionary
ascenthimself,
beyondandthe
trace
the
genesis
of
this
notion
to
an
(originally
Gnostic)
critical
reflection
divine Intellect itself so as to attain the transcendent (and hypernoetic) deity:ona the
claim
inability
Transcendent,
a themethe
which of
heconventional
considers theacademic
height ofphilosophy
arrogance to
or attain
hubris.the
This
paper will examine
which
(I would
suggest) they
ingeniously
encrypted
the famous
of Sophia's
curiously
transgressive
theme
of 'ascent
above in
intellect'
as it myth
occurs
in various
cognitive
overreach
and
catastrophic
failure.
Gnostic systems of the 2nd–3rd centuries CE, as well as in Plotinus himself, and
9:50-10:15trace
GREGORY
SHAW,
Demon
Deus
Inversus:
Honoring
the
D(a)emonic
the genesis
of this
notion est
to an
(originally
Gnostic)
critical
reflection
on the
ininability
Iamblichean
Theurgy
of conventional academic philosophy to attain the Transcendent, a theme
This
essay
aims suggest)
to explore
non-dual encrypted
aspect of inIamblichean
in the
which
(I would
theythe
ingeniously
the famous theurgy
myth of Sophia's
challenging
context of and
the embodied
soul.
How does one engage demonic impulses
cognitive overreach
catastrophic
failure.
in oneself
and in others
without condemnation? How does one discover the god in
9:50-10:15
GREGORY
SHAW
the demon
andestevoke
presence?
This essay
will attempt
to understand
the
Demon
Deusits
Inversus:
Honoring
the D(a)emonic
in Iamblichean
Theurgy
principles
of Iamblichean
theurgy
a path toaspect
non-dual
the midst
This essay
aims to explore
theasnon-dual
of experience
Iamblicheanin theurgy
in ofthe
embodied
life.context of the embodied soul. How does one engage demonic impulses
challenging
10:15-10:30
Discussion
in oneself
and in others without condemnation? How does one discover the god in
the
demon and evoke its presence? This essay will attempt to understand the
10:30-10:45 Break
principles of Iamblichean theurgy as a path to non-dual experience in the midst of
Session 3: Defining
Gnosticism
embodied life.
Presider, CLAIRE VILLARREAL
10:15-10:30MICHAEL
Discussion
10:45-11:10
KALER, Intuition, Nag Hammadi, and Foundation Stories:
Yet
another
attempt
to define g/Gnosticism
10:30-10:45 Break
In this paper, I will discuss the curious tendency that scholars have of using
secondary sources (i.e., Irenaeus and other heresiologists) to define gnosticism, and
using primary sources (most particularly the Nag Hammadi collection) as backups for
definitions taken from the secondary sources. I will also suggest some ways in which
Session 3:
Defining Gnosticism
gnosticism might look different
if we started our definitional work with primary
Presider,
CLAIRE
VILLARREAL
sources
rather than
secondary
ones."
10:45-11:10 MICHAEL KALER
Intuition,
Nag Gnosticism:
Hammadi, and
Foundation
Yet another
11:10-11:35 FRITZ
GRAF,
Knowledge
andStories:
Mysteries
attempt
defineHeresies,
g/Gnosticism
In Book
1 of to
Against
Irenaeus gives a few indications about rituals
In
this paper,
I will discuss
theI try
curious
tendency their
that role
scholars
have position
of usingin
performed
by 'gnostic'
initiators.
to understand
and social
secondary
(i.e., Irenaeus
anddescribed
other heresiologists)
define gnosticism,
the light of sources
the professional
initiators
by Plato and to
especially
in col. 20 of
and
using primary
(most
particularly
the Naginitiators
Hammadi
as
the Derveni
Papyrus sources
that deals
with “Orphic”
(Bacchic?)
andcollection)
the knowledge
backups
for gained
definitions
taken
that can be
during
the from
ritual.the secondary sources. I will also suggest some
waysKOCKU
in whichvon
gnosticism
might look
different
if weand
started
our definitional
11:35-12:00
STUCKRAD,
Ancient
Gnosis
Identity
Work in work
with primary sources rather than secondary ones.
German Intellectual Discourse
11:10-11:35
FRITZ GRAF
Kocku von Stuckrad (PhD University of Bremen, 1999) is professor of religious
Gnosticism:
Knowledge
Mysteries
studies
and currently
the dean and
of the
Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at
In
1 of Against
Heresies,the
Irenaeus
gives aHe
fewisindications
theBook
University
of Groningen,
Netherlands.
President about
of therituals
Dutch
performed
initiators.
I try to
understand
role and in
social
position
Associationby
for'gnostic'
the Study
of Religion
and
co-chair oftheir
the Religion
Europe
Groupinof
the
of theAcademy
professional
initiators
described
by Plato
and especially
in col. 20 of
the light
American
of Religion.
His
most recent
monograph
is The Scientification
the
Derveni
Papyrus
that
deals
with
“Orphic”
(Bacchic?)
initiators
and2014).
the
of Religion: An Historical Study of Discursive Change, 1800-2000 (De Gruyter,
knowledge
that
can
be
gained
during
the
ritual.
12:00-12:15 Discussion
11:35-12:00
von STUCKRAD
12:15-2:00 KOCKU
Lunch break
Ancient Gnosis and Identity Work in German Intellectual Discourse
Session 4:This
Histories
of Gnosticism
lecture looks
at the ancient world as a large imaginal space, which means that
Presider,
C.J.isSCHMIDT
the ancient world
discursively linked to the world of its interpreters. A good
of this interaction
is the term
“Gnosis,” whichReal
was Claim
introduced
by twentieth2:00-2:25example
M. DAVID
LITWA, Gnostic
Self-Deification:
or Heresiological
century
scholars
as
an
implicit
antidote
to
what
they
perceived
as
the
problems of
Construction?
rationalism
andis“modernity.”
Self-deification
the ultimate transgression, since the self-deifier attempts to
transcend human nature and even nature itself. This paper explores a middle path
12:00-12:15 Discussion
between viewing self-deification as either the heart of Gnostic soteriology or as
12:15-2:00
Lunch break
merely a heresiological defamation.
2:25-2:504: Histories
LAUTAROofROIG
LANZILLOTA, Man and Cosmos in Hermetic and Gnostic
Session
Gnosticism
Lore: The Case
of the Gnostic Apocalypse of Paul
Presider,
C.J. SCHMIDT
know that
Nag Hammadi and Hermetic treatises tend to view the human
2:00-2:25It is well
M. DAVID
LITWA
being in the light of the cosmological framework. The present paper revisits the
Gnostic Self-Deification: Real Claim or Heresiological Construction?
cosmology at work in the Gnostic Apocalypse of Paul (NHC V,2) and provides a new
Self-deification is the ultimate transgression, since the self-deifier attempts to
interpretation both of its constituent elements and of its overall cosmological
transcend human nature and even nature itself. This paper explores a middle
framework. I intend to show not only that cosmology and anthropology intrinsically
path between viewing self-deification as either the heart of Gnostic soteriology or
intertwined, but also that ethics determines both the structure of the world and the
as merely a heresiological defamation.
character and evaluation of its different parts.
2:25-2:50
2:50-3:15
LAUTARO ROIG LANZILLOTA
MARK GREGORY PEGG, The Paradigm of Catharism; or, the
Man and Cosmos in Hermetic and Gnostic Lore: The Case of the
Historians’ Illusion of Medieval Gnosticism
Gnostic Apocalypse of Paul
Catharism is the most famous heresy of the Middle Ages, often assumed to be a form
It
well knowGnosticism;
that Nag Hammadi
and Hermetic
treatises
viewLate
the human
of ismedieval
unfortunately,
it never
existed,tend
andto like
Antique
being
in
the
light
of
the
cosmological
framework.
The
present
paper
revisits
the
Gnoscticsm, was largely an invention of nineteenth-century scholars. Until beginning
cosmology
at
work
in
the
Gnostic
Apocalypse
of
Paul
(NHC
V,2)
and
provides
a
new
of this century most scholars believed in the existence of the Cathars; indeed, many
interpretation
of its constituent
elements
and of(in
itsand
overall
still do. As withboth
Gnosticism,
the debate about
Catharism
out ofcosmological
the academy)
framework.
I
intend
to
show
not
only
that
cosmology
and
anthropology
intrinsically
reveals enduring problems about the very definition of religion, heresy, and
what was
intertwined,
but also that ethics determines both the structure of the world and the
(and is) a counterculture.
character and evaluation of its different parts.
3:15-3:30
Discussion
2:50-3:15
MARK GREGORY PEGG
Session 5: Keynote Address
The Paradigm of Catharism; or, the Historians’ Illusion of Medieval
Presider, JEFFREY R. KRIPAL
Gnosticism
Catharism is the most famous heresy of the Middle Ages, often assumed to be a
4:00-5:50 form
VICTORIA
NELSON,
23,000
Rays of Light
Whoexisted,
Fell to and
Earth
of medieval
Gnosticism;
unfortunately,
it never
likeand
LateFound
Antique
Each Other:was
Gnostic
Fiction
and Gnostic
Practice in Vladimir
Gnoscticsm,
largely
an invention
of nineteenth-century
scholars. Until
beginning
of Ice
thisTrilogy
century most scholars believed in the existence of the Cathars;
Sorokin's
indeed,on
many
do. As
with
Gnosticism,
the debate
Catharism
and out
Drawing
the still
esoteric
lore
around
the famous
1905about
Tunguska
comet(inevent
in
of the the
academy)
reveals enduring
problemsSorokin's
about the
definition
of religion,
Siberia,
noted Russian
novelist Vladimir
Icevery
trilogy
is an apocalyptic
heresy,
andingeniously
what was (and
a counterculture.
fiction
that
fusesis)Gnostic
cosmology with real-life twentieth-century
politics and history. Trapped in human bodies around the world, Sorokin’s newly
3:15-3:30 Discussion
awakened 23,000 “rays of light” embark on a hundred-year quest to find each other
the Address
hated prison of Earth forever. But the unholy means they use to
Sessionand
5: escape
Keynote
achieve their ends raises the disturbing question: Was it their human nature that
Presider, JEFFREY J. KRIPAL
corrupted the Children of the Light—or their eternal one?
6:00
Shuttle
to hotelNELSON
4:00-5:50
VICTORIA
23,000 Rays of Light Who Fell to Earth and Found Each Other: Gnostic
Fiction and Gnostic Practice in Vladimir Sorokin's Ice Trilogy
Drawing on the esoteric lore around the famous 1905 Tunguska comet event in
Siberia, the noted Russian novelist Vladimir Sorokin's Ice trilogy is an apocalyptic
fiction that ingeniously fuses Gnostic cosmology with real-life twentieth-century
politics and history. Trapped in human bodies around the world, Sorokin’s newly
awakened 23,000 “rays of light” embark on a hundred-year quest to find each other
and escape the hated prison of Earth forever. But the unholy means they use to
achieve their ends raises the disturbing question: Was it their human nature that
corrupted
theup
Children of the Light—or their eternal one?
Shuttle
pick
Saturday, March 28
7:45
8:00
Continental
6:00– 8:30Shuttle
to hotelBreakfast
Session 6: Gnostic Stories 1
Presider, ERIN PROPHET
9:00 – 9:25 ERIK DAVIS, Stranger in a Strange Land: Philip K. Dick’s Gnostic Identity
Saturday, March 28
Following a string of extraordinary otherworldly experiences in 1974, the science
fiction writer Philip K. Dick restlessly explored different philosophical and religious
7:45 identities,
Shuttle including
pick up “Christian” and “Gnostic”. As part of a project to understand
how Gnosticism
to serve as a “countercultural” alternative to
8:00 – 8:30
Continentalcame
Breakfast
mainline Christianity, I will explore how Dick understood and constructed these two
Sessionrival
6: but
Gnostic
Stories
1
overlapping
positions.
Presider,
ERIN PROPHET
9:25 – 9:50 MARK
PILKINGTON,
Extraterrestrial Gnosis: Shards in the Cosmic Mirror
During the mid to late 1990s, elements of the rich mythology surrounding
9:00 – 9:25 ERIK DAVIS
extraterrestrial visitation and UFO encounters erupted, potently, into the American
in a Strange
Philipa K.
Dick’s
Gnostic
Identity flowed into
popularStranger
consciousness.
At the Land:
same time,
deep
gnostic
undercurrent
Following
a string
of extraordinary
otherworldly
experiences
in 1974,
science
the
lore, through
writers
including Whitley
Strieber,
Karla Turner,
Johnthe
Mack
and
fiction
writer
Philip
K.
Dick
restlessly
explored
different
philosophical
and
religious
Kenneth Ring. This current, it can be argued, reached its ultimate expression in the
and “Gnostic”.
partgroup
of a project
to understand
39identities,
membersincluding
of the “Christian”
San Diego-based
gnostic As
UFO
Heaven's
Gate, who
how
Gnosticism
came
to
serve
as
a
“countercultural”
alternative
to
ascended to 'the next level above human' in March 1997. This presentation will
mainline
Christianity,
I
will
explore
how
Dick
understood
and
constructed
these
two
examine some of the ways that gnostic ideas, merging spiritual and technological
rival but overlapping
positions.
yearnings,
manifested within
UFO beliefs of the period."
9:25 – 9:50 MARK PILKINGTON
Extraterrestrial Gnosis: Shards in the Cosmic Mirror
During the mid to late 1990s, elements of the rich mythology surrounding
extraterrestrial visitation and UFO encounters erupted, potently, into the American
popular consciousness. At the same time, a deep gnostic undercurrent flowed into
the lore, through writers including Whitley Strieber, Karla Turner, John Mack and
Kenneth Ring. This current, it can be argued, reached its ultimate expression in the
39 members of the San Diego-based gnostic UFO group Heaven's Gate, who
ascended to 'the next level above human' in March 1997. This presentation will
examine some of the ways that gnostic ideas, merging spiritual and technological
yearnings, manifested within UFO beliefs of the period.
9:50-10:15 WOUTER HANEGRAAFF
Alan Moore’s Promethea, Couterculturalism and the End of the World
of humanity's religious epiphanies. These two features have made the RevMagi an
intriguing text for proponents of New Age religious thought and for students of the
UFO phenomenon. This paper will examine such interpretations and assess whether
their applications of such "modern" concerns to an ancient text are appropriate.
12:00-12:15 Discussion
12:15-2:00 Lunch break
Session 8: Gnostic Stories 3
Presider, ERIN PROPHET
2:00-2:25
In this contribution I will discuss the Promethea mythos as developed in a five-volume
comics cycle (199902005) published by the acclaimed comics writer Alan Moore in
colleboration with J.H. Williams III and Mick Gray. Promethea is one of the most
explicit esoteric comics ever published, and a major expression of radical gnostic
counterculturalism in popular culture.
10:15-10:30 Discussion
10:30-10:45 Break
This paper seeks to situate "African American Religion" as central to American
Religion and as Gnostic. Subsequent to an exploration of how and why African
American religion is both very "American" and simultaneously very gnostic, the paper
will consider the implications of this position for the theoretical and methodological
implications for the study of American religion.
2:25-2:50
Session 7: Gnostic Stories 2
This paper analyzes the reception of the Nag Hammadi Library and affiliated ‘Gnostic’
texts in the life and work three authors: Grant Morrison, Laurence Caruana and
Jonathan Talat Philips. It investigates how constructions of “Gnosticism” allowed
these contemporaries to read themselves into the past through these texts, and how
this hermeneutic engagement resulted in creative reinterpretations of the nature of
Christ in their (non-)fiction.
2:50-3:15
This lecture will focus on three texts: Philip K. Dick’s VALIS (1981), Whitley Strieber’s
COMMUNION (1987) and Barbara Ehrenreich’s LIVING WITH A WILD GOD (2014). In
each case, we will see how the author describes a deeply personal, life-changing
encounter with what any earlier culture would have recognized as a deity or demon.
Each author engages these earlier religious interpretations but finally moves outside
of them to posit actual invisible species in the environment that interact with human
beings at their own whims and for their own interests, perhaps, the authors
speculate, to "feed off" of human emotion or to tame, domesticate or evolve us via
sexual communion and interspecies symbiosis. The result is a new set of evolutionary
panpsychisms, erotic vitalisms and biological polytheisms that pose a challenge to
the reigning materialisms and projection theories of conventional science and the
humanities.
This paper will start by looking closely at Arthur Machen's The Great God Pan (1894)
and some other stories by Machen, focusing on the form of 'gnosticism' that the story
takes up and what it intends to say about the acquisition of hidden knowledge. It will
proceed to look at later stories that were influenced by Machen, including H.P.
Lovecraft's 'The Dunwich Horror' (1929) and the different ways in they present hidden
knowledge and its acquisition
The ancient Christian text known as Revelation of the Magi presents itself as the firstperson testimony of the Magi on the coming of Christ. Two of its most distinctive
features are: 1) its presentation of Christ as the Magi's star, from which he transforms
into a small, luminous human being; and 2) its belief that Christ is the source of all
JEFFREY J. KRIPAL
Biological Gods: The New Mythmakers of Science (Fiction)
11:10-11:35 SARAH ILES JOHNSTON
The Great God Pan
11:35-12:00 BRENT LANDAU
The Coming of the Star-Child: Revelation of the Magi in New Age
Thought and UFOlogy
MARGARITA SIMON GUILLORY
The Secret in the Sand: Louisiansian Hoodoo Rituals
This paper considers the intersectional relationship between materiality and
science in the study of religion. Specifically, it draws from Zora Neale
Hurston's Hoodoo in America to examine the variety of ways that Louisianan hoodoo
practitioners used the "magnetic" properties of sand to achieve ritual success.
Presider, BENJAMIN BROCHSTEIN
10:45-11:10 MATTHEW J DILLON
Resurrecting the Gnostic Christ in Contemporary (Non-)Fiction
STEPHEN C. FINLEY
African American Religion as Quintessential American Gnostic Religion:
Theoretical and Methodological Reflections
3:15-3:30
Discussion
3:30-3:45
Closing Remarks, JEFFREY J. KRIPAL
4:15
Return to hotel
6:00
Pick up for banquet at El Meson Restaurant
9:00
Return to hotel
Gnostic Counter Cultures Participants
Grant Adamson: Grant Adamson (Ph.D., Rice 2014) is a Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow in
the Program in Writing and Communication at Rice University. He specializes in
the study of New Testament and Early Christianity. With April D. DeConick, he is
co-editor of Histories of the Hidden God: Concealment and Revelation in Western
Gnostic, Esoteric, and Mystical Traditions (Durham: Acumen 2013).
Dylan M. Burns: Dylan M. Burns (Ph.D. Yale University 2011) is a Research Associate at
Leipzig University, Institute of Egyptology. His research focuses on diverse aspects
of ancient Gnosticism, Greek philosophy, and early Christianity. He serves as cochair of the Society of Biblical Literature's section Nag Hammadi and Gnosticism,
and is co-founder of the Network for the Study of Esotericism in Antiquity. He is
author of Apocalypse of the Alien God: Platonism and the Exile of Sethian
Gnosticism (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press 2014). He is
contributing editor to Gnosticism, Platonism, and the Ancient World: Essays in
Honor of John Turner (Leiden: Brill 2013).
Miguel Conner: Miguel Conner is the host of Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio, a podcast bringing
ancient mysteries to modern meaning for eight years, interviewing the best and
brightest scholars and mystics in the fields of Gnosticism and modern Esoterica.
He is also the author of Voices of Gnosticism (Bardic Press 2011), and the works
of fiction Stargazer (2011), The Executioner's Daughter (2012), and Heretic
(2012).
Erik Davis: Erik Davis (Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Religion, Rice University)
specializes in the study of American culture, contemporary esotericism, and media
theory. His most recent books are Nomad Codes: Adventures in Modern Esoterica
(Yeti 2010) and the new edition of Techgnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the
Age of Information (North Atlantic 2015).
April D. DeConick: April D. DeConick (Ph.D. University of Michigan 1994) is the Chair of
Department of Religion, and Isla Carroll and Percy E. Turner Professor of New
Testament and Early Christianity, Rice University. She maintains a blog,
www.forbiddengospels.com, and is on the editorial board of Nag Hammadi and
Manichaean Studies monograph series (Leiden: Brill) and the journal Vigiliae
Christianae (Leiden: Brill). She has authored and edited thirteen books, including
The Thirteenth Apostle: What the Gospel of Judas Really Says (London: Continuum
2007) which is the first book to challenge the National Geographic “official”
interpretation of a good Judas in the Gospel of Judas. She has taken part in a film
that has been made about the controversy, “The Gospel of Judas,” which was
created as part of the CNN special TV series, “Finding Jesus” (2015). Her new
book, The Ancient New Age: How Gnostic Spirituality Revolutionized Religion (New
York: Columbia University Press) will be released next year.
Matthew J. Dillon: Matthew Dillon (Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Religion, Rice
University) is the Vaughn Fellow (2014-2015). He specializes in the study
American religion and culture, psychology of religion, and comparative Gnosticism
and esotericism. He is currently working on his dissertation, “The Gnostic
Renaissance: The Nag Hammadi Library in American Religion and Culture.”
Stephen
C.C.Finley:
Stephen
Finley:Stephen
StephenC.C.Finley
Finley(Ph.D.
(Ph.D.Rice
RiceUniversity
University2009)
2009)isisAssistant
Assistant Professor
Professor of
of
Religious
Studies
and
African
American
Studies
and
the
Section
Head
in
Religious Studies and African American Studies and the Section Head in Religious
Religious
Studies
StudiesatatLouisiana
LouisianaState
StateUniversity.
University.He
Heisisco-editor
co-editor ofof Esotericism
Esotericism in
in African
African
American
Religious
Experience:
"There
Is aIsMystery"
(Leiden:
Brill),
andand
thethe
author
of
American
Religious
Experience:
"There
a Mystery"
(Leiden:
Brill),
author
In of
and
This
Material
and Extraterrestrial
BodiesBodies
in the Nation
of Islam.
In Out
andofOut
ofWorld:
This World:
Material
and Extraterrestrial
in the Nation
of
HeIslam.
is alsoHeanis Executive
Committee
membermember
of the Society
for the for
Study
Black
also an Executive
Committee
of the Society
the of
Study
of
Religion.
Black Religion.
Fritz
Graf:
Fritz
Graf
Fritz
Graf:
Fritz
Graf(Ph.D.
(Ph.D.Zürich
Zürich1971)
1971)isisthe
theDistinguished
DistinguishedUniversity
UniversityProfessor
Professorin
inClassics,
Classics,
The
Ohio
State
University.
He
specializes
in
the
study
of
Greek
and
Roman
The Ohio State University. He specializes in the study of Greek and Roman religions
religions
and
Greek
epigraphy.
and
Greek
epigraphy.HeHeisisnow
nowthe
theDirector
Directorofofthe
theCenter
Centerfor
forEpigraphical
Epigraphical Studies.
Studies.
HisHis
most
recent
most
recentworks
worksinclude
includeApollo
Apollo(Routledge,
(Routledge,2009)
2009)and
andRoman
RomanFestivals
Festivalsin
in the
the
Greek
East:
From
the
Early
Empire
to
the
Middle
Byzantine
Era
(Cambridge:
Greek East: From the Early Empire to the Middle Byzantine Era (Cambridge:
Cambridge
University
Press,
2015).
Cambridge
University
Press,
2015).
Margarita
MargaritaSimon
SimonGuillory:
Guillory:Margarita
MargaritaSimon
SimonGuillory
Guillory(Ph.D.
(Ph.D. Rice
Rice University
University 2011)
2011) isis an
an
Assistant
Professor
at
the
University
of
Rochester.
Her
research
interests
Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester. Her research interests include
include
American
Spiritualism
and
identity
construction
in African
American
religion.
Her Her
coAmerican
Spiritualism
and
identity
construction
in African
American
religion.
edited
volume
(with(with
Stephen
Finley
andand
Hugh
Page,
co-edited
volume
Stephen
Finley
Hugh
Page,Jr.)
Jr.)Esotericism
Esotericisminin African
African
American
Religious
Experience
was
recently
published
with
Brill.
American
Religious
Experience
was
recently
published
with
Brill.
Wouter
J. Hanegraaff:
Wouter
J. Hanegraaff
(Ph.D.
University
of Utrecht
1995)
is Professor
of
Wouter
J. Hanegraaff:
Wouter
J. Hanegraaff
(Ph.D.
University
of Utrecht
1995)
is Professor
History
of Hermetic
Philosophy
at the
of Amsterdam.
He specializes
in the
of History
of Hermetic
Philosophy
atUniversity
the University
of Amsterdam.
He specializes
in
history
of Western
Esotericism,
withwith
primary
focus
ononthe
the history
of Western
Esotericism,
primary
focus
theperiod
period RenaissanceRenaissancePresent.
Significant
chairs
include
Member
of the of
Royal
of Sciences
Present.
Significant
chairs
include
Member
theDutch
RoyalAcademy
Dutch Academy
of
since
2006,since
President
the Dutch
Association
for the Study
of Study
Religion
(2002Sciences
2006,of
President
of the
Dutch Association
for the
of Religion
2006),
and President
of the European
for Society
the Study
Western
(2002-2006),
and President
of the Society
European
forofthe
Study Esotericism
of Western
(2005-2013).
His
most
recent
publications
are
Esotericism
and
the Academy:
Esotericism (2005-2013). His most recent publications are Esotericism
and the
Rejected
Knowledge
Western Culture
(Cambridge:
Cambridge
University
Press
Academy:
Rejectedin Knowledge
in Western
Culture
(Cambridge:
Cambridge
2012)
and
Western
Esotericism:
A
Guide
for
the
Perplexed
(London:
Bloomsbury
University Press 2012) and Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed
Press
2013).
(London:
Bloomsbury Press 2013).
Sarah
SarahIles
IlesJohnston:
Johnston:Sarah
SarahIles
IlesJohnston
Johnston(Ph.D.
(Ph.D.Cornell
CornellUniversity
University1987)
1987)isis the
the Arts
Arts &&
Humanities
HumanitiesDistinguished
DistinguishedProfessor
ProfessorofofReligion
Religionand
andProfessor
ProfessorofofClassics
Classics at
at The
The
Ohio
State
Ohio
StateUniversity.
University.She
Shespecializes
specializesininReligions
Religionsofofthe
theancient
ancient Mediterranean,
Mediterranean,
history
historyofofmagic
magicand
andwitchcraft,
witchcraft,and
andhistory
historyofofthe
theghost
ghoststory.
story. She
She isis currently
currently
President
of
the
American
Society
for
the
Study
of
Religion.
Her
most
President of the American Society for the Study of Religion. Her mostrecent
recentbooks
books
are
areAncient
AncientGreek
GreekDivination
Divination(Oxford:
(Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell
Wiley-Blackwell 2008);
2008); Restless
Restless Dead:
Dead:
Encounters
Encountersbetween
betweenthe
theLiving
Livingand
andthe
theDead
Deadinin Ancient
Ancient Greece
Greece (University
(University of
of
California
Press
1999).
California
Press
1999).
Michael
MichaelKaler:
Kaler:Michael
MichaelKaler
Kaler(Ethnomusicology,
(Ethnomusicology,York
York University
University 2014;
2014; Ph.D.
Ph.D. Laval
Laval
University,
2006)
University,
2006)is iscurrently
currentlya aLecturer
Lectureratatthe
theUniversity
Universityof
of Toronto-Mississauga.
Toronto-Mississauga.
HisHis
work
workaddresses
addressesa awide
widerange
rangeofoftopics,
topics,including
includingChristian
Christianheterodoxy
heterodoxy in
in late
late
antiquity,
modern
recreations
of
gnosticism,
the
rediscovery
of
open
improvisation
antiquity, modern recreations of gnosticism, the rediscovery of open improvisation
in in
Western
popular
and
artart
music
of the
lastlast
fiftyfifty
years,
music
and and
religion,
and and
the
Western
popular
and
music
of the
years,
music
religion,
Grateful
Dead. His
most
Tells
A Story:
Apocalypse
of Paul and
the Grateful
Dead.
Hisrecent
most book,
recentFlora
book,
Flora
Tells The
A Story:
The Apocalypse
of
itsPaul
Contexts,
is published
bypublished
Wilfrid Laurier
University
Press.
He hasPress.
taughtHe
at the
and its
Contexts, is
by Wilfrid
Laurier
University
has
University
Toronto,
McMaster
University,
and York
University,
and been
an active
taught atofthe
University
of Toronto,
McMaster
University,
and York
University,
and
part
of an
theactive
southern
Ontario
rock, folk
and creative
scenes music
for the
past
been
part of
the southern
Ontario
rock, folkmusic
and creative
scenes
several
for thedecades.
past several decades.
Jeffrey
J. Newton
Newton
JeffreyJ.J.Kripal:
Kripal:Jeffrey
JeffreyJ.J.Kripal
Kripal(Ph.D.
(Ph.D. University
University of
of Chicago1993)
Chicago1993) holds
holds the
the J.
Rayzor
Chair
in
Philosophy
and
Religious
Thought
at
Rice
University,
where
he
Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University, where he
chaired
the
Department
of
Religion
for
eight
years
and
helped
create
the
GEM
chaired the Department of Religion for eight years and helped create the GEM
Program,
Esotericism, and
and
Program,aadoctoral
doctoralconcentration
concentration inin the
the study
study of
of Gnosticism,
Gnosticism, Esotericism,
Mysticism
in the
the
Mysticismthat
thatisisthe
thelargest
largestprogram
programofofits
itskind
kindin
in the
the world.
world. He
He specializes
specializes in
comparative
study
and
analysis
of
extreme
religious
states
from
the
ancient
world
comparative study and analysis of extreme religious states from the ancient world
tototoday.
Comparing Religions:
Religions:
today. He
Heisisthe
the author
author of
of seven
seven books,
books, most
most recently
recently Comparing
Coming
Terms
(Oxford:
Wiley-Blackwell
2014)2014)
and Mutants
and Mystics:
Science
Comingto to
Terms
(Oxford:
Wiley-Blackwell
and Mutants
and Mystics:
Fiction,
Comics, and
the Paranormal
(Chicago:(Chicago:
UniversityUniversity
of Chicago
ScienceSuperhero
Fiction, Superhero
Comics,
and the Paranormal
of
2011).
Chicago 2011).
Brent
in Religious
Religious
BrentLandau:
Landau:Brent
BrentLandau
Landau(Th.D.
(Th.D.Harvard
Harvard University
University 2008)
2008) is
is aa Lecturer
Lecturer in
Studies
at
the
University
of
Texas
at
Austin.
His
research
specialization
early
Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. His research specialization is
is early
Christian
apocryphal
Literature.
He
is
currently
co-chair
of
SBL
Christian
Apocrypha
Christian apocryphal Literature. He is currently co-chair of SBL Christian
Program
Unit.Program
His recent
books
Revelation
of the
Magi: The
the
Apocrypha
Unit.
His include
recent books
include
Revelation
ofLost
the Tale
Magi:ofThe
Wise
to Men's
Bethlehem
(San
Francisco: (San
HarperOne,
2010)
and his
Lost Men's
Tale ofJourney
the Wise
Journey
to Bethlehem
Francisco:
HarperOne,
forthcoming
work
as co-editor
of New
Testament
Apocrypha:
More
Noncanonical
2010) and his
forthcoming
work
as co-editor
of New
Testament
Apocrypha:
More
Scriptures
(Grand
Rapids:
Eerdmans).
Noncanonical Scriptures (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
Lautaro
2004) is
is
LautaroRoig
RoigLanzillota:
Lanzillota:Lautaro
LautaroRoig
RoigLanzillotta
Lanzillotta(Th.D.
(Th.D. University
University at
at Groningen
Groningen 2004)
Associate
Professor
of
New
Testament
and
Early
Christian
Studies
at
the
University
Associate Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Studies at the
ofUniversity
Groningen.ofHis
areas of expertise
are of
Greek
philosophy
literature,
Christian
Groningen.
His areas
expertise
are and
Greek
philosophy
and
apocrypha
Nag Hammadi
HeHammadi
is currently
Co-editor
StudiaCoin
literature, and
Christian
apocryphawritings.
and Nag
writings.
He in
is the
currently
Veteris
Pseudepigrapha
(Leiden:Pseudepigrapha
Brill) and on the(Leiden:
Board of
Editors
for
editor Testamenti
in the Studia
in Veteris Testamenti
Brill)
and on
the
onEditors
Early Christian
Apocrypha
series
(Peeters).
He is most
recently
the
theStudies
Board of
for the Studies
on Early
Christian
Apocrypha
series
(Peeters).
author
of
Diccionario
de
Personajes
del
Nuevo
Testamento
(2011)
and
editor
of
He is most recently the author of Diccionario de Personajes del Nuevo Testamento
Plutarch
in
the
Religious
and
Philosophical
Discourse
of
Late
Antiquity
(2012)
and
(2011) and editor of Plutarch in the Religious and Philosophical Discourse of Late
Greeks,
Jews,
and Christians:
Historical,
Religious
and Philological
in Honor
Antiquity
(2012)
and Greeks,
Jews, and
Christians:
Historical,Studies
Religious
and
ofPhilological
Jesús Peláez
del Rosal
(2013).
Studies
in Honor
of Jesús Peláez del Rosal (2013).
M.M.David
Lecturer of
of
DavidLitwa:
Litwa:M.
M.David
David Litwa
Litwa (Ph.D.
(Ph.D. University
University of
of Virginia)
Virginia) is
is currently
currently Lecturer
Classics
ancient Mediterranean
Mediterranean
Classicsatatthe
theUniversity
University ofof Virginia.
Virginia. He
He specializes
specializes in
in ancient
religions,
and
deification.
HeHe
is
religions,early
earlyJudaism
Judaismand
andChristianity,
Christianity,ancient
ancientGnosticism,
Gnosticism,
and
deification.
most
recently
the
author
of
three
books:
We
Are
Being
Transformed:
Deification
in
is most recently the author of three books: We Are Being Transformed: Deification
Paul’s
Soteriology
(2012);
Becoming
Divine:
in
in Paul’s
Soteriology
(2012);
Becoming
Divine:AnAnIntroduction
Introductionto
to Deification
Deification in
Western
(Minneapolis:
Fortress
Academic
Press
2013);
andand
Iesus
Deus:
The
WesternCulture
Culture
(Minneapolis:
Fortress
Academic
Press
2013);
Iesus
Deus:
Early
Depiction
of Jesus
as a Mediterranean
God (Cascade
2014).2014).
The Christian
Early Christian
Depiction
of Jesus
as a Mediterranean
God (Cascade
Zeke
a Post-Doctoral
Post-Doctoral
ZekeMazur:
Mazur:Zeke
ZekeMazur
Mazur(Ph.D.
(Ph.D.University
Universityof
ofChicago
Chicago 2010)
2010) is
is currently
currently a
Fellow
in
the
Philosophy
Department
at
Université
Laval
(Québec
City)
he is
is
Fellow in the Philosophy Department at Université Laval (Québec City) where
where he
working
on
the
annotations
for
the
new
Budé
edition
of
Plotinus.
Besides
Plotinus,
working on the annotations for the new Budé edition of Plotinus. Besides Plotinus,
his
of rationality
rationality
hisinterests
interestsinclude
includeNeoplatonism,
Neoplatonism,Gnosticism,
Gnosticism, and
and the
the intersection
intersection of
and
andritual
ritualpraxis
praxisininthe
theacademic
academicphilosophy
philosophyofofLate
LateAntiquity.
Antiquity.
Victoria
is Graduate
Graduate
VictoriaNelson:
Nelson:Victoria
VictoriaNelson
Nelson (M.A.
(M.A. inin English,
English, University
University of
of Toronto)
Toronto) is
Faculty
and occasional
occasional
Facultyininthe
theGoddard
GoddardCollege
CollegeMFAW
MFAW program
program in
in creative
creative writing
writing and
Senior
most recent
recent
SeniorLecturer
Lecturer inin the
the U.C.
U.C. Berkeley
Berkeley Rhetoric
Rhetoric Department.
Department. Her
Her most
book,
Gothicka
(Cambridge:
Harvard
University
Press)
won
the
2012
American
book, Gothicka (Cambridge: Harvard University Press) won the 2012 American
Association
literature. Its
Its
Association ofof Publishers
Publishers award
award for
for scholarly
scholarly excellence
excellence in
in literature.
predecessor,
Secret
Life
of Puppets
(Cambridge:
Harvard
University
Press)
won
predecessor,The
The
Secret
Life
of Puppets
(Cambridge:
Harvard
University
Press)
won
the Modern
Language
Association's
2002 Scaglione
prize in prize
comparative
literary
the Modern
Language
Association's
2002 Scaglione
in comparative
studies.
literary studies.
MarkMark
Gregory
Pegg:Pegg:
MarkMark
Gregory
PeggPegg
(PhD,
Princeton,
1997)
is Professor
of History
at
Gregory
Gregory
(PhD,
Princeton,
1997)
is Professor
of History
Washington
University
–
Saint
Louis.
His
specialization
is
Medieval
religion
and
at Washington University – Saint Louis. His specialization is Medieval religion
heresy.
is most
authorthe
of author
A Most of
Holy
War: Holy
The Albigensian
Crusade
andHe
heresy.
Herecently
is mostthe
recently
A Most
War: The Albigensian
and the
Battleand
for Christendom
2007) and
Beatrice’s
A History
Crusade
the Battle for(Oxford
Christendom
(Oxford
2007)Last
andSmile:
Beatrice’s
Last
of the
Medieval
Worldof200-1500
(Oxford
2015).
Smile:
A History
the Medieval
World
200-1500 (Oxford 2015).
MarkMark
Pilkington:
Mark Mark
Pilkington
is the author
of the book
andbook
documentary
film “Mirage
Pilkington:
Pilkington
is the author
of the
and documentary
film
Men”“Mirage
and “Far
Out:
from
Science's
Outer Edge.”
He has
Men”
and101
“Far Strange
Out: 101Tales
Strange
Tales
from Science's
Outer Edge.”
He
contributed
to publications
including The
Guardian,
Times,
The Anomalist,
has contributed
to publications
including
The Fortean
Guardian,
Fortean
Times, The
Frieze,
The Wire,
SightThe
andWire,
Sound.
also runs
Strange
Attractor
Press,
an
Anomalist,
Frieze,
SightMark
and Sound.
Mark
also runs
Strange
Attractor
independent
publishing
house
based
in
London.
Press, an independent publishing house based in London.
Gregory
Shaw:
Gregory
ShawShaw
(Ph.D.
University
of Santa
Barbara
1987)
is Professor
of
Gregory
Shaw:
Gregory
(Ph.D.
University
of Santa
Barbara
1987)
is Professor
Religious
Studies
at
Stonehill
College.
His
areas
of
specialization
are
Platonism
and
of Religious Studies at Stonehill College. His areas of specialization are
Neoplatonism,
Hermetism,Theurgy,
and Gnosticism.
He and
is the
author of He
Theurgy
Platonism Theurgy,
and Neoplatonism,
Hermetism,
Gnosticism.
is the
and the
Soul:ofThe
Neoplatonism
Iamblichus
(University Park:
Pennsylvania
State
author
Theurgy
and the of
Soul:
The Neoplatonism
of Iamblichus
(University
University
1995; 2nd
edition,
with new
Preface
Angelico
Press
Park: Press
Pennsylvania
State
University
Press
1995; and
2ndForeword,
edition, with
new Preface
2014).
and Foreword, Angelico Press 2014).
JohnJohn
D. Turner:
JohnJohn
D. Turner
(Ph.D.
DukeDuke
University1970)
is the
Cotner
Professor
of
D. Turner:
D. Turner
(Ph.D.
University1970)
is the
Cotner
Professor
Religious
Studies
and
Charles
J.
Mach
University
Professor
of
Classics
and
History
of Religious Studies and Charles J. Mach University Professor of Classics and
at the
University
Nebraska-Lincoln.
He specializes
in the study
of ancient
History
at theofUniversity
of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He specializes
in the
study of
Gnosticism,
in particular
the restoration,
conservation,
translation,
ancient Gnosticism,
in particular
the restoration,
conservation,
translation,and
and
interpretation
of theofthirteen
fourth century
Nag Hammadi,
interpretation
the thirteen
fourth papyrus
century codices
papyrusfrom
codices
from Nag
Egypt.
He is author/editor
books, including
Sethian
the
Hammadi,
Egypt. He ofisthirteen
author/editor
of thirteen
books,Gnosticism
including and
Sethian
Platonic
Tradition
and
Plato’s
Parmenides
and
its
Heritage
(Québec:
Les
Presses
de
Gnosticism and the Platonic Tradition and Plato’s Parmenides and its Heritage
L’Université
a contributor
to the Laval),
English-a contributor
and French-language
critical
(Québec:Laval),
Les Presses
de L’Université
to the Englishand
editions
of seven of thecritical
Nag Hammadi
and
forthcoming
of
French-language
editions oftexts,
seven
of to
thethe
Nag
Hammadi Budé
texts, edition
and to the
Plotinus'
Enneads
(V.5
and
V.8).
forthcoming Budé edition of Plotinus' Enneads (V.5 and V.8).
Kocku
von Stuckrad:
Kocku Kocku
von Stuckrad
(Ph.D. University
of Bremenof1999)
is Professor
Kocku
von Stuckrad:
von Stuckrad
(Ph.D. University
Bremen
1999) is
of Religious
Studies
and
currently
the
Dean
of
the
Faculty
of
Theology
and
Professor of Religious Studies and currently the Dean of the Faculty ofReligious
Theology
Studies
the University
of Groningen,
the Netherlands.
He is the
President
of the Dutch
andatReligious
Studies
at the University
of Groningen,
Netherlands.
He is
Association
forof
the
Study
of Religion
andfor
co-chair
of the
Europe
Group
of
President
the
Dutch
Association
the Study
ofReligion
Religioninand
co-chair
of the
the Religion
American
Academy
of ofReligion.
His Academy
most recent
monograph
is recent
The
in Europe
Group
the American
of Religion.
His most
Scientification
of is
Religion:
An Historicalof
Study
of Discursive
Change,
1800-2000
(De
monograph
The Scientification
Religion:
An Historical
Study
of Discursive
Gruyter
2014).
Change, 1800-2000 (De Gruyter 2014).