The Gnostics is a critical socio-historical examination of the life of and practice of one of Christianity's earliest foes.
While orthodox Christianity gained ascension as the officially sanctioned expression of the Church in the patristic era, many sects and heretical groups also existed. One of the most prominent and yet loosely organized groups were the Gnostics. We have no doubt heard much about the Gnostic heresies, but what about their practices, way of life, and rituals? How did they influence the development of early Christianity?
David Brakke explores these questions and more with lucidly written prose and detailed historical research. An excellent monograph on what increasingly appears to be a critical group for understanding early Christianity.