GNOSIS AND THE CROSS: THE PASSION OF CHRIST IN GNOSTIC SOTERIOLOGY AS REFLECTED IN THE NAG HAMMADI TRACTATES

This dissertation explores the various roles given to the Passion of Christ in Gnostic soteriology using as its source the Nag Hammadi corpus. After a brief introduction outlining the scope of the study, there is a tractate-by-tractate discussion of the references to the Passion in the Various Gnostic books of the collection. The third part of the work draws together and summarizes the results of the discussion.;The author shows that, according to several tractates, the crucifixion results from the hostility which Christ's advent and work arouse among the archons. In the subsequent confrontation, however, Christ defeats them and breaks their power.;In many Gnostic systems the Passion relates closely to other events in Christ's redemptive mission and plays an integral and necessary role in his work. It is part of his assumption of the fallen condition of the gnostic souls and is thus an inevitable consequence of his incarnation. On the other hand, it also represents his repudiation of the material world in preparation for his return to the higher realm, an act by which he opens the way for the gnostics too to ascend. In these two aspects of the Passion lie its necessity and soteriological effectiveness. They follow logically from the consubstantiality for redeemer and redeemed presupposed by the Gnostic systems. In this regard we must note that a docetist Christology does not preclude an active and important soteriological role for the crucifixion; indeed, many docetist systems ascribe great soteriological significance to Christ's Passion.;The study concludes by noting the typological relationship between the crucifixion and other participants in the Gnostic salvation myth. Of particular interest are the parallels drawn with the fall and restoration of Sophia and with the pleroma-engirdling Limit of Valentinianism.;The study's conclusions center on the Passion's relationship (1) to the archons or powers, (2) to the other elements of the Savior's dispensation (especially his incarnation and ascension), and (3) to other events and actors in Gnostic salvation history.