Simon Magus

Mead, G. R. S. (George Robert Stow), 1863-1933Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.2

Word count: 200K words
Chapters: 21

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Simon Magus by G. R. S. MeadAuthor: Mead, G. R. S. (George Robert Stow), 1863-1933,Language: English, Class: BF: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Psychology, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Release Date: Jul 12, 2004

Editor's review

Mead's book on Simon Magus belongs to the study of early Christian heresy and the compilation of Gnostic sources. The author devoted himself to translating and introducing Hermetic literature and ancient religious thought, and the present volume continues that orientation: it examines Simon Magus, a figure repeatedly mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and the writings of the Church Fathers, within the context of ancient religious thought rather than merely as an object of orthodox refutation. For readers studying early Christianity, Gnosticism, or the history of ancient religion, its value lies in offering a systematic survey of the sources together with the author's own interpretive perspective, and it can serve as a guide into the relevant primary texts. It should be noted that the book was written long ago and that some of its views bear the scholarly imprint of the author's era; they should be checked against more recent research when cited. The English is academic in style and dense with terminology, suited to close reading by readers with relevant background and not to be treated as a popular book on religion.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Scholars and students of early Christianity and Gnosticism, usable as a guide to the sources
Readers interested in the history of ancient religious thought who can read English
Researchers of religion who need to understand the sources and debates concerning Simon Magus
Readers concerned with Hermetic literature and ancient esoteric traditions

Not a good fit for

General readers seeking light, popular religious stories or biographies
Beginners with little experience of academic English and unfamiliar with religious terminology
Believers seeking contemporary theological conclusions or doctrinal guidance

Reading tips

Read the introduction or opening chapter first to grasp the author's questions and the scope of the sources before turning to the main text.
Read in conjunction with the passages on Simon Magus in the Acts of the Apostles and the Church Fathers to deepen understanding.
Note the primary sources cited in the book so that more recent research can be consulted later to verify its views.
When terminology becomes dense, skip the details for the moment, grasp the chapter's argument, and then return to read the difficult passages closely.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Who was Simon Magus?

Simon Magus was a Samaritan magician who appears in the Acts of the Apostles; later Church Fathers regarded him as one of the origins of heresy, and he is often associated with Gnostic tradition. This book examines and interprets this figure and the related sources.

Is the book's stance theological apologetics or academic research?

It is closer to an academic survey of the sources and an inquiry into intellectual history. The author long translated and introduced ancient religious texts, and the book seeks to understand the figure and ideas within the context of ancient religion rather than simply to defend orthodox doctrine, though its writing still bears the scholarly imprint of its time.

What background knowledge is needed to read this book?

It is best to have some understanding of early Christian literature and basic Gnostic concepts, and to be able to read academic English with reasonable ease. Without this background, readers are advised to start with a relevant introductory work before taking up this book.

Can the book's views be cited as settled conclusions?

Not directly as settled conclusions. The book was written long ago, and some of its judgments reflect the scholarship of the time; when citing them, compare them with more recent research and, where possible, check the primary sources indicated in the book.

Comments

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About the author

Mead, G. R. S. (George Robert Stow), 1863-1933 Author

George Robert Stow Mead (1863–1933) was a British scholar of ancient religion and philosophy; details of his life are limited in publicly available sources. Three of his works are held in this collection: The Gnostic Crucifixion, Apollonius of Tyana, the Philosopher-Reformer of the First Century A.D., and Simon Magus. These subjects centre on Gnosticism, early Christian heterodox traditions, and intellectual figures of the Hellenistic world, reflecting his sustained attention to ancient esoteric and religious texts. His writing consists mainly of editing, translating, and interpreting primary materials, in a scholarly style. He had some influence in early twentieth-century British circles of religious history and esoteric studies, and his works are still cited by researchers in the field.