A Prophet Is Not Without Honour...
Exploring mystical teachings
2:30pm Tuesday 5th August 2008
A PENARTH author has written an introduction to Gnosticism – the teaching which is explored in epics such as the Matrix and The Da Vinci Code.
The idea of a divine soul trapped in a material world by a dark or evil God is the plotline for many blockbusters, but few understand the more complex theories of Gnosticism – though author Andrew Philip Smith believes many are interested in the subject.
He said: “There are Gnostic ideas in so many films and books at the moment.
"Some of them go off course and some of them touch on it, but it is a fascinating topic.”
Andrew, who grew up in Penarth and attended St Cyres, has already written four books on Gnosticism – this latest work is a 'beginner's guide'. He said: “It brought a lump to my throat when I went to Waterstones in Cardiff and saw my work for sale!”
Andrew has already started planning his next book – a study of the Mandeans, modern day Gnostics who trace themselves back to John the Baptist.
Andrew hopes to do a Da Vinci Code-type trail to try and trace their origins.
The Gnostics: History • Tradition • Scriptures • Influence, is published by Watkins and will be widely available from the beginning of September.
http://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/latestnews/3560135.Exploring_mystical_teachings/
posted by Andrew Phillip Smith at 2:39 AM
4 Comments:
Kudos! I agree, it's pretty danged nifty to go into a bookstore and see one of your works on the shelf. I'm looking forward to reading your latest-- is it available internationally yet?
O, and any word on the mag?
Thanks, Jeremy. I haven't received a copy of the new book myself yet, but I can see that it is available on amazon.co.uk, but not yet on Amazon.com. The first issue of The Gnostic (with a regular column by Jeremy for those of you listening in) will be out in September, but there's still quite a bit of work to do on layout, etc.
Incidentally, not everything in the article is quite accurate. The book on the Mandaeans is just at the proposal stage and I'm trying to inch ahead with various plans for future books.
Congratulations! I for one appreciate your writings. I look forward to your latest book and the magazine.
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