The Gnostic Issue 1

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The first issue includes an interview with John Turner, an expert on Sethian Gnosticism, a new translation of the Gospel of Judas, a whirlwind tour of the alternative Judas, and a note on translational issues in the Gospel of Thomas. Gnostic-influenced writers are featured heavily with a long interview with Alan Moore, and an excerpt from a prose work inspired by William Blake, and articles on William Burroughs and Philip K. Dick. The more adventurous scholarly articles include Will Parker’s examination of the magical worldview, a look at the figure of Judas outside of the New Testament, and an examination of Paul’s attitude to Moses. Jeremy Puma’s regular column looks at the pivotal topic of Gnosis itself. Plus reviews of more than a dozen books. An excerpt from Freke and Gandy's Gospel of the Second Coming. And more.

Scott Finch, John Coulthart and Eddie Campbell provide the visuals.

Published Spring 2009 by Bardic Press. squarebound softcover, 140 pages, ISBN 978-1906834029, $12, £8 €9.

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Listen to Alan Moore discussing the early centuries of Christianity (mp3). Full interview included in The Gnostic issue 1.
Contents
  • From the Mouth of the Demiurge: Editorial
  • Alan Moore Interview: Andrew Phillip Smith interviews graphic novelist and magician Alan Moore.
  • Angel Passage: The text of final section of Alan Moore’s performance piece on William Blake.
  • Did Moses Really Talk to God? Jim West. For Gnostics, Moses was the mouthpiece of the demiurge. What did the apostle Paul really think of Moses?
  • The Owl by Daylight: Luke Valentine examines Philip K. Dick
  • The Second Coming of Tim Freke: Tim Freke on his extraordinary discovery of a lost gospel
  • Gospel of the Second Coming Excerpt: That lost gospel in full. Well, the first chapter, anyway.
  • The Gospel of Judas: A new and previously unpublished translation of the complete Gospel of Judas by Jesse Folks.
  • The Alternative Judas: Andrew Phillip Smith looks at some of the other versions  of the Judas story.
  • Three poems: A.M. Ashford Brown.
  • Gnosticism and Magic: Will Parker examines the value of a magical world view
  • Sethian Gnosticism: An Interview with John Turner conducted by Miguel Conner.
  • The Three Steles of Seth: John Turner’s translation of this Sethian text from the Nag Hammadi library.
  • Burroughs-ian Gnosticism: Sven Davisson on William Burroughs’ Gnostiic myth.
  • No Man’s Land: Mike Grondin on translational issues in the Gospel of Thomas.
  • Perfect Day Living: A regular column by Jeremy Puma: ‘Right There Under Your Gnosis’
  • Into the Bridal Chamber: A regular  column by Andrew Phillip Smith: ‘Romanticising the Gnostics’
  • Letters From Earth: Mark Twain's brilliant satire
  • Reviews:
  • Book Reviews by Dean Wilson, Will Parker, Andrew Phillip Smith, Miguel Conner and Arthur Craddock

Cover by Scott Finch: From a Series on the Exegesis on the Soul
Illustrations:
Scott Finch: Mt Carmel, Flower, Water and Fire 
John Coulthart: William  S. Burroughs
Eddie Campbell: Alan Moore
William Blake: Laocoön.