Since their discovery in 1945, the Nag Hammadi Codices have generated questions and scholarly debate as to their date and function. Paul Linjamaa contributes to the discussion by offering insights into previously uncharted aspects pertinent to the materiality of the manuscripts. He explores the practical implementation of the texts in their ancient setting through analyses of codicological aspects, paratextual elements, and scribal features. Linjamaa's research supports the hypothesis that the Nag Hammadi texts had their origins in Pachomian monasticism. He shows how Pachomian monks used the texts for textual edification, spiritual development and pedagogical practices. He also demonstrates that the texts were used for perfecting scribal and editorial practice, and that they were used as protective artefacts containing sacred symbols in the continuous monastic warfare against evil spirits. Linjamaa's application of new material methods provides clues to the origins and use of ancient texts, and challenges preconceptions about ancient orthodoxy. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core. Cover Half-title page Title page Imprints page Contents List of Figures Acknowledgements Note on Transcription and Translation List of Abbreviations Introduction: The Provenance Controversy The Rifts in Current Scholarship The Monastic-Origin Hypothesis and the Contribution of the Present Study Situating and Outlining the Study 1 Christian Book Culture, New Philology and Gnosticism Religious Change in Antiquity: Christian and Gnostic Texts Studies in Early Christian Book Culture Hypothetical Origins and New Philology The Nag Hammadi Codices as the Heretics’ Bible Conclusion 2 The Find Story and the Ethics of Postmodern Manuscript Archaeology Following the Evidence Gnosticism and the Mystic East Conclusion 3 The Construction of Codex I: Scribal Errors as Clues to Context The Material Features of Codex I Approaching the Owners and Creators of the Codex Inexperience or Carelessness in Copying Codex I Conclusion 4 Notes Made by Monks: The Marginal Markings in Codex I and Codex VIII Ancient Christian Scribal Practice and the Use of Diplai Scribal Signs in the Nag Hammadi Codices The Diplai in Codex I Multiple Diplai in The Tripartite Tractate (NHC I,5) Elucidating the Monastic Connection of the Diplai Passages in Codex I The Scribal Signs in Codex VIII Zostrianos (NHC VIII,1) The Letter of Peter to Philip (NHC VIII,2) Summarising the Markings in Codex VIII The Letter of Ammon Read in Light of Codex I and Codex VIII Conclusion 5 Vowel Constellations and Secret Language An Overview of Magical Vowels in the Nag Hammadi Texts The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit (The Gospel of the Egyptians) (NHC III,2/ NHC IV,2) Marsanes (Codex X,1) The Trimorphic Protennoia (NHC XIII,1) The Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth (NHC VI,6) Contextualising Magical Vowel Features Christian Use of ‘Pagan’ Techniques of Holy Letters and Sounds Divine Speech and Holy Words in a Monastic Context Conclusion 6 The Sacred Symbols in the Nag Hammadi Codices: Books as Weapons in Demonic War The Nomina Sacra in the Nag Hammadi Codices: Artefacts, Scribes and Contexts The Power of the Cross in Codex I Resisting Desert Demons with the Cross as a Sign of Firmness The Ontology of Sacred Symbols: How a Book Becomes a Weapon in Spiritual Warfare Conclusion 7 Textual Fluidity and Multiple Versions in Monastic Textual Practice Initial Reflections on ‘Textual Fluidity’ The Nag Hammadi Duplicates and the ‘Sub-groups’ of the Codices The Monastery as Training Ground for Textual Education The Nag Hammadi Texts in Light of Monastic Educational Practices Practising Copying and Translation The Gospel of Truth (NHC I,3 and XII,2): Reformulating Texts in Light of New Theological Trends Eugnostos the Blessed (NHC III,3 and V,1): Practising Editorial Work Conclusion Conclusion: The Nag Hammadi Codices from a ‘Textual Community’ Perspective Bibliography Ancient Authors and Texts Secondary Literature Index
