The Gospel of Philip by Vladimir Antonov

The Gospel of Philip by Vladimir Antonov was first published in 2008. The book presents a full and competent translation of the Gospel written by the apostle Philip — a personal Disciple of Jesus Christ who attained Divinity thanks to help from Jesus. Although this gospel may initially appear similar to the Gospel of Thomas, it is not a sayings gospel, but a collection of Gnostic teachings and reflections, a “gnostic anthology“, as Marvin Meyer and Esther A. De Boer have called it. An Egyptian peasant rediscovered The Gospel of by Philip by accident, buried in a cave near Nag Hammadi, in 1945. This translation is accompanied by clarifying commentaries. In the Gospel, Philip emphasised the methodological aspect of spiritual work.

Thanks to Vladimir Antonov for letting me post it here (71 pages/780 KB):

The Gospel of Philip

– You can buy the print version here: Link

What is the Gospel of Philip?

The Gospel of Philip is one of the Gnostic texts discovered in the Nag Hammadi library in 1945. This library, found in Egypt, contains a collection of early Christian and Gnostic works. The Gospel of Philip is not a “gospel” in the traditional sense, as it doesn’t provide a narrative account of the life of Jesus as The Bible does. Instead, it is a collection of sayings, reflections, and teachings, many of which are esoteric.

Here are some key points about the Gospel of Philip:

1. Authorship and Date: The authorship of the Gospel of Philip is unknown and not attributed to Philip the Apostle in the text. Most scholars believe it was written in the 3rd century AD.
2. Content: The text is a compilation of sayings and teachings, many of which delve into Gnostic interpretations of Christian sacraments like baptism, the Eucharist, and the bridal chamber. It often uses symbolic and allegorical language.
3. Relation to Canonical Gospels: The Gospel of Philip differs from the canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) found in the New Testament. It does not provide a continuous narrative of Jesus’ life but offers Gnostic interpretations and teachings.
4. Famous Passages: One of the most discussed passages from the Gospel of Philip is the mention of Mary Magdalene and her close relationship with Jesus. This has led to various speculations and theories, especially in popular culture.
5. Gnostic Beliefs: Gnosticism is a diverse and complex set of beliefs considered heretical by mainstream Christianity. Central to Gnosticism is the idea that hidden knowledge (gnosis) is necessary for salvation. The material world is often viewed as a trap or illusion; the goal is to transcend it through this special knowledge.
6. Current Availability: The Gospel of Philip, along with other texts from the Nag Hammadi library, has been translated into many languages and is available in various editions.

It’s important to approach the Gospel of Philip and other Gnostic texts with an understanding of their historical and theological context. They provide a window into the diverse range of beliefs and practices that existed in early Christianity.

Listen to the Gospel of Philip here