Most of the Nag Hammadi texts originated in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. They form one of the most important manuscript rediscoveries of the 20th century, and their importance for Biblical scholars and Church historians in particular can hardly be overestimated. This volume presents the first complete German translation of the approximately 50 Nag Hammadi texts as well as the Berlin Codex 8502 as an affordable paperback.

During a lifetime of scholarship and teaching, Hans-Martin Schenke produced a large number of publications in the fields of New Testament, Gnosticism, and Coptology. This collection of his essays and book reviews bears witness to his love for the linguistic aspects of Coptology and illustrates his wide-ranging interest in the development of early Christianity. His insights and deep understanding of Gnostic beliefs and systems as a background for interpreting the New Testament make his contributions to this discipline very rewarding and indispensable reading. Im Laufe seines langen...