Apocryphal collection · Gnostics and Nag Hammadi · 2 min read
Gospel of Truth
A poetic sermon about error, fog and the book of the living
The full text of this study is in Portuguese; the summary, key points and official view are in English.
More than a gospel in the narrative sense, the Gospel of Truth is a sermon of great literary beauty about the unknown Father and the ignorance that rules the world. Ignorance of the Father produced anguish and terror, which thickened like a fog; from that fog, Error (Planē) fashioned its own matter in the void. Jesus comes to reveal the “living book of the living”, and whoever knows awakens as if from a nightmare. Many scholars attribute the text to Valentinus, a Christian teacher in Rome around 140.
Key points
- Manuscripts: Codex I (Jung Codex) and Codex XII of Nag Hammadi.
- Irenaeus (Against Heresies 3.11.9) says the Valentinians had a “Gospel of Truth”.
- Probable date: c. AD 140–180.
- Genre: homily, with no account of the life of Jesus.
- It uses images of sleep, fog, nightmare and awakening.
What scholars say
It is considered one of the masterpieces of ancient Christian literature in Coptic, probably translated from a 2nd-century Greek original. Valentinus’s authorship is likely but not proven.
Keep investigating
- Gospel of Philip Sacraments, the bridal chamber and the Savior's companion
- Apocryphon of John The blind creator, the seven heavens and the 365 angels who shaped Adam
Other languages: Português · Español
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