Bentley Layton Book order

The book presents an early collection of Christian monastic rules from Roman Egypt, highlighting their significance and context. It includes four introductory chapters that explore the historical and social background of these rules, as well as their nature as guidelines for monastic life. Notably, these rules are referenced in the works of the influential Egyptian monastic leader Shenoute, providing insight into early Christian practices and community structure.

This book is the first publication of a very early set of Christian monastic rules from Roman Egypt, accompanied by four preliminary chapters discussing their historical and social context and their character as rules. These rules were found quoted in the writings of the great Egyptian monastic leader Shenoute.

The Gnostic Scriptures offers an unparalleled exploration of Gnosis and Gnosticism, featuring eloquent and accurate translations by Bentley Layton. His insightful commentary serves as a vital introduction to this enduring religious perspective, with a notable focus on the influential Gnostic thinker Valentinus. Layton's translation of the Gospel of Truth is particularly praised for its depth and clarity, making this work essential for anyone seeking to understand Gnostic beliefs and their significance.

This work by Bentley Layton is a newly revised, third edition of the standard reference grammar of Coptic in the classical Sahidic dialect. Compared to the previous edition, A Coptic Grammar incorporates new additions and corrections, and retains a full index locorum of examples cited in the grammar. Citations are the backbone of any reference grammar, and this index gives readers immediate access to a grammatical discussion of about three thousand citations of classical Coptic. Especially noteworthy is the extensive use of citations from the celebrated Coptic stylist Shenoute of Atripe.

Codex VIII from Nag Hammadi contains two tractates, Zostrianos and The Letter of Peter to Philip. This volume presents a critical edition of those texts, and includes regarding each separate text a transcription with notes, an introduction, and a translation. In addition it includes an introduction to the Codex itself, and several sets of indices. The tractate Zostrianos recounts a heavenly journey of a gnostic mystic who gains and brings back with him the saving gnosis. That gnosis is most closely related to Middle Platonism and the document intends to be part of that tradition. As such it was refuted by Plotinus and his pupil Amelius. Much of the manuscript is poorly preserved. The Letter of Peter to Philip is a gnostic revelatory discourse in letter form with Peter as its hero. The Risen Christ reveals a gnostic view of the universe and of human existence.