Second treatise of the Great Seth

Published by 1c15 on 25th December 201925th December 2019

This document dated anywhere between 180-300AD was found with the Nag Hammadi documents in Egypt 1945. It is an example of Sethian Gnosticism by a group who worshipped Adam’s son, Seth who they saw Jesus as the second coming of Seth.

Reasons for rejection/non-inclusion

1. Written outside the apostolic age
2. Written in Alexandria, far from the action
3. Contains similar crucifixion details to the Gnostic Basilides, a rejected heretic. 
4. Contains many other Gnostic elements
   1. Passing on secret esoteric knowledge
   2. Jesus is presented as docetic
5. Assumes Simon of Cyrene died in the place of Jesus

Useful external attestation details 

1. Jesus is the “Word”, the “Christ”, “Jesus Christ” and the “Son of Man”
2. Recognises many elements of the passion narrative
   1. Jesus was beaten
   2. Forced to wear a crown of thorns
   3. Nailed to a cross
   4. Died on the cross
   5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross
   6. The veil of the Temple was torn in two at the time of Jesus’ death
3. John the Baptist is mentioned