Gnostic Texts (Ivana, Ryan, Maggie)

The Secret Book of John provides a reinterpretation of the creation story first articulated in Genesis. In terms of function this is to appeal to a Proto-Orthodox audience who would already be familiar with this. However, the role of the God of the Jews (Yaltaboath) in the Secret Book of John is quite distinct. Whereas in Genesis disobeying God’s demand not to eat from the tree is a bad thing (the origin of sin), in the Secret Book of John it is considered a positive act of disobedience against an evil God that seeks to prevent man from acquiring Epinoia (as is represented by the tree). In terms of evangelization, this interpretation works off of Genesis, but diverts from Genesis in its claim that the Jewish God is not the ultimate God.