Systematic Appraisal of Codex XI. Codex XI in Relation to the New Testament

Academic Paper , 2022 , 21 Pages , Grade: A

Theology - Biblical Theology

The paper deals with the Systematic Appraisal of codex XI. It gives an an in-depth appraisal of Codex Xi in relation to the New Testament.

Charles W. Hedrick writes, Codex XI was among the groups of codices possessed by the antiquities dealer Phocion J. Tano during 1946 to 48. It was kept at the Department of Antiquities in 1949, taken to the Coptic Museum on 9th June 1952, made national property by court action in 1956, and assigned the inventory number 10547 in the year of 1959. Jean Doresse and Togo Mina numbered it IV in 1949, Henri-Charles Puech numbered it VI in 1950, Doresse numbered it VIII in 1958 and Martin Krause numbered it XI in 1962 and James M. Robinson in 1968. In May and June 1961 it was preserved in 80 plexiglass containers by Victor Girgis after consulting Pahor Labib and Martin Krause. Pictures were taken in part by R. Herzog for Krause at that time and again by photographers of the Center of Documentation for UNESCO in the year 1965. Fragments were set and photographs done at its four work meetings during 1970 to 72 and at the work meetings funded by the Smithsonian Institution through the sponsorship of the American Research Center in Egypt in 1974 to 75, under the supervision of the Technical Sub Committee of the International Committee for the Nag Hammadi Codices of the Arab Republic of Egypt and UNESCO. Codex XI is one of the most poorly conserved among the Nag Hammadi Codices. No relatively complete leaves survive except for three leaves (59/60, 61/62, 63/64), which are rebuilt from two to four fragments apiece, and mainly, only the lower fourth to three fourths survive intact, meaning that the page numbering to be expected at the top of the pages is lacking, with the exception of one fragment from a first hand with page numbers 19 to 20 at the center of the top margin.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• A Valentinian Exposition
• The Myth of Sophia
• Valentinian Cosmogony
• The Fall and Liberation of Sophia
• The Recovery of the Psychic Seed
• The Eschatological Vision of the Reunion Within the Pleroma
• The Heretic Gnostic and the real “Gnostic” in Christ according to the teaching of Ireneaus of Lyon
• The Valentinian Exposition
• Restoration of Two Passages in A Valentinian Exposition

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay systematically appraises Codex XI to ascertain its perceived reference to the New Testament Canonical Bible. It examines the Valentinian Exposition, a key text within the codex, focusing on its theological arguments and its relationship to other Valentinian writings.

• The nature and origins of Gnosticism
• The Valentinian understanding of creation, redemption, and the role of Sophia
• The relationship between the Valentinian Exposition and other Valentinian texts
• The significance of Codex XI within the broader context of the Nag Hammadi Codices
• The impact of the Valentinian Exposition on contemporary scholarship

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• A Valentinian Exposition: This chapter focuses on the content and significance of the Valentinian Exposition, discussing its central themes, including the myth of Sophia, Valentinian cosmogony, and the fall and liberation of Sophia. It examines the treatise's unique perspective on these topics and its relationship to other Valentinian writings.
• The Heretic Gnostic and the real “Gnostic” in Christ according to the teaching of Ireneaus of Lyon: This chapter explores the historical and theological context of Gnosticism, drawing on the writings of Irenaeus of Lyon. It analyzes the key tenets of Gnostic belief, including the concept of Gnosis and its role in achieving salvation.
• The Valentinian Exposition: This chapter examines the work of J.E. Menard and his critical edition of the Valentinian Exposition, published in 1985. It highlights the importance of this edition and its contributions to the understanding of the Valentinian Exposition within the Nag Hammadi Codices.
• Restoration of Two Passages in A Valentinian Exposition: This chapter focuses on the work of John D. Turner and his edition and version of the Valentinian Exposition. It examines the challenges of reconstructing the fragmented text and the significance of Turner's work in furthering the study of Valentinianism and its theological concepts.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key terms and concepts in this essay include Codex XI, Nag Hammadi Codices, Valentinianism, Valentinian Exposition, Sophia, Gnosticism, creation, redemption, salvation, and the New Testament Canonical Bible. These keywords represent the primary themes and foci of the text, providing a framework for understanding its contents and significance.

• Course: Ph. DGS
• Grade: A
• Author: Lovewell Mwansa (Author)
• Publication Year: 2022
• Pages: 21
• Catalog Number: V1350380
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346863874
• ISBN (Book): 9783346863881
• Language: English
• Tags: Gnostic Studies