What Is Gnosticism?

“[King’s] is the pithiest and fairest overview to date of the subject.”—Robert A. Segal, The Times Literary Supplement

“[King’s] volume offers a carefully considered, well-researched reflection on the state of Gnostic scholarship and a clear call for new approaches.”—Edward Moore, Classical Bulletin

“Essential reading for serious students of Christian origins.”—Deirdre Good, Anglican Theological Review

“King’s exposure of the confessional prejudices which have shaped the accounts of Gnosticism in Harnack and his successors is a valuable supplement to previous studies which have shown how our modern nomenclature fails to match the ancient sources. Where others have shown how scholarship has gone astray, she sets out to tell us why.”—Mark J. Edwards, Journal of Theological Studies

“What is Gnosticism? offers an original and persuasive account of how we have come to speak of ‘gnosticism,’ and what various people have meant by that. Karen King’s important new book transforms our understanding of the origins of Christianity.”—Elaine Pagels, Princeton University