The Gnostic Epic of Mary Magdalene and Pistis Sophia

The Pistis Sophia is the most epic and obscure Gnostic Scripture to come down to us from antiquity. Seemingly a manual for initiation into the mysteries of an otherwise unknown gnostic sect, the Pistis Sophia is as magnificent as it is complex, lengthy and obscure. In it we find Jesus 11 years after his resurrection, gathered around him select disciples to reveal the true mysteries of salvation: a truly vast cosmology populated by a staggering range of regions and entities; the secret 4-fold baptisms reminiscent of Greco-Egyptian magical practice without which one was doomed to reincarnation; techniques of mystical ascent back to the ineffable, primordial light through heavenly citadels; all of which was most clearly comprehended not by the male apostles Peter or Paul but by Mary the Mother of Jesus, Martha and most especially Mary Magdalene.

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Recommended Readings:

Brill - Pistis Sophia (summon!)

Brill - The Woman Jesus Loved: Mary Magdalene in the Nag Hammadi Library and Related Documents (summon!)

[AlexusMagnum]

Loved the "Pistis Sophia makes The Silmarillion look like IKEA bookcase instructions" 🤣🤣

[DilutedHSO]

when the william blake art kicks in, you know things are getting esoterically epic

[ariachiba]

Evans here. As always, fantastic summary of an incredibly dense and difficult text, Dr. Sledge! The comment about the teeny-tiny Valentinian syzygy system had me cackling.

Random factoid, the Brill edition of the Pistis Sophia was out of print when I was researching, and used copies were $600+. It took about 6 years of me nagging their Out of Print contact (and them agreeing to publish my book on the topic) to reprint it at all. Turns out people are less likely to research something they have to sell a kidney for. Amazing work bringing it to a huge audience!!

[GarGhuul]

.pdf remains the fourth most popular religious conversion according to Google.

[lindencairns]

13:50 Divine Mitosis is a great name for a band...

[xnoiidb]

"Even the experts are intimidated by its length and complexity"

*puts down Finnegans Wake*

Go on...

[asteroxfoundation]

Great stuff here Dr. Sledge! I am a recovered schizophrenic who, about three decades ago, had a confrontation with a serpentine entity with a lion-like face coming out of a portal and entering a cloud that formed in my room and then an encounter with a beautiful androgynous ivory faced entity with multiple radiant bronzish looking wings. There is something to these archons and their leader - they are not just symbols but appear to be adversarial, malevolent or initiatory entities. I had no knowledge of Gnosticism, Sophia, Yaldabaoth or the notion of a Demiurge until 2020. There is definitely something going on beyond the veil, but I'm not quite sure what it is. Based on the various interpretive versions, I don't think the ancient Gnostic sects were certain either of what is actually occurring. These emanations are real and seem to have the capability of existing both within us and beyond us. Cheers!

[rmc]

Bringing in Tolkien and IKEA in the same sentence to explain the complexity of this gospel is the reason I listen to this podcast.

[andrewgadberry]

Dr. Sledge, your labors are herculean and your work is a light in the mist. Your suffering does not go unrewarded! Much love, friend.

[jbaquinones]

To me the pistis Sophia is very important. Important to merit its length. Pistis sophia is the Jewish? Gnostic? Iamblikus. Here’s where we learn about the travels of the heavens. As those people traveled in the planet, they were grateful to know of the dangers they could encounter. In a similar manner the pistis Sophia is a sort of travel guide of the underworld in my opinion. Thank you for the great episode Sir. ❤

[DneilB]

Just a little “thank you” for getting the music back. I know it was probably far more work on your part than it was worth, but I appreciate how the music glides me gently back out of this learning space and into the (somewhat less colourful) world of daily living.

Thank you, Dr. Sledge!

[HikeAroundandFindOut]

Love the Gospel of Mary. "Mary turned their hearts to the good."

[Kittensbane]

I'm so glad for the unbiased and truthful knowledge of antiquity Dr. Sledge presents us. Truly grateful for all these awesome videos! Rock on!

[darkfenix]

I cannot imagine the pressure of trying to create an introduction video to such a complex topic with contradictory and obscure information. In my humble opinion, Dr. Sledge, you did a fantastic job. And you have inspired me to read the text myself. Thank you!!!

[nolongerthere]

The world we live in is clearly nuts and frightening, but it does include Dr. Justin Sledge and YouTube, and I'm grateful for that!

[GoGrowGoGrow]

This has become my absolute favorite channel on YouTube in such a short time. Subscribed about 8 months ago and feel such personal growths with the specific helpful lens you also provide.

[J_Z]

This one is going to be one of those I get to enjoy multiple times. Thanks!

[phillipbernhardt-house]

Thanks a billion for this one, Dr. Sledge!

"Yes, please!" to the reading/study guide list for this text!

I'll say more elsewhere! ;)

[Painting_Humans]

0600 in Germany and I have my cup of coffee as I watch and prepare meals for my Son and the Animals. Your presentation is just the kind of thought inspiring (and good adulting) stimulation that I desire. A great way to start the day. Thank you!

[paulahoskins]

Would be fun to turn you loose in the Vatican Archives for a year.
After your head stopped spinning, you could seriously give us a true account of everything!
Having not raided the Archives, you do amazingly well.
❤👍🔥