Showing results by author "Joseph Lumpkin" in All Categories

This volume offers a panoramic view of various sects of Gnosticism and ancient texts presenting major parts of the faith. This book contains: The Apocyphon of John, The Gospel of Truth, Treaties on the Resurrection, The Gospel of Peter, and The Apocalypse of Peter. Gnosticism is a diverse and complex religious and philosophical movement that emerged in the early centuries of the Common Era, primarily in the Mediterranean world.

In his captivating exploration, Joseph Lumpkin invites listeners to uncover the hidden depths of ancient Christian and Jewish apocalypses.

In his captivating exploration, Joseph Lumpkin invites listeners to explore nine of the best-known Apocalyptic books. These books uncover the hidden depths of ancient Christian and Jewish visions and prophecies of the apocalypse. Through these texts we see what the earliest Christians believed heaven and hell would be and what rewards and punishments were waiting beyond death's door. These books of apocalypse, otherwise known as revelation of the end times allow us to view what was expected in the end times and what waits for us in the end of days.

In Samuel Johnson's famous quote, "When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully," we find a sobering observation about the power of impending death to focus one's thoughts. Thus is was for the mind and spirit of this soon-to-be martyr.

Did Christianity begin as a mystery cult led by a man named Jesus? Did the initiation ritual contain mysterious ceremonies that only Jesus could perform? Who was the young man in the Gospel of Mark wearing nothing more than a sheet? Why was he there? Was he about to undergo the rites and rituals of initiation into the Jesus cult, or was he simply there to be baptized into the faith? Are there other “Gospels of Mark” out there? What do they say about Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection?

The purpose of this book is to lead the listener from a general overview of mysticism in various religions to a focus on the Christian mystical experience. It is hoped that the listener will join in this amazing, deep, and rich way of life. Modern religion is failing to provide true spiritual nourishment for many followers. This is not a new condition. Yet, each time the flame has faltered, it has been saved and re-ignited by the mystics, who have kept a deep and abiding connection to God alive and burning in their hearts.

In this volume, we have attempted to gather the most interesting and influential Gospels and Apocalypses attributed to the Apostles, in the hope that these books may reveal to the listener something hitherto unknown.