Sign-In
Cart
Beginning with Jesus: The Development of His Teachings in the New Testament and the Valentinian Tradition
Paperback
Religion General GnosticismGeneral Christianity
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Aug 20 2026
Pages: 150
Weight: 0.42
Height: 0.38 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
What happens when we begin the history of Christianity with Jesus rather than with the theological boundaries established generations later?
Beginning with Jesus returns to the teachings at the heart of Jesus' ministry and follows their development through the earliest centuries of Christianity.
Beginning with the canonical Gospels, Steve Fitch examines ten recurring themes in Jesus' teaching including the Kingdom of God, knowing the Father, love of God and neighbor, discipleship, repentance and forgiveness, eternal life, humility, wisdom, wealth, and the cross. Each theme is then traced through the earliest Christian witnesses of the New Testament and into one of the most influential, and controversial, Christian movements of the second century: the Valentinian tradition.
For centuries, Valentinian Christians were known primarily through the writings of those who opposed them. The recovery of ancient texts associated with the tradition, particularly among the manuscripts discovered near Nag Hammadi, allows their beliefs to be examined through their own surviving writings.
What emerges is a more complex picture of early Christianity.
The differences are real. Valentinian Christians developed a distinctive theological vocabulary and cosmology that went beyond the language of Jesus and the earliest Christian writings. Yet their texts also return repeatedly to many of the same concerns that characterize Jesus' ministry: knowing the Father, spiritual transformation, love, forgiveness, humility, discipleship, eternal life, and humanity's restoration through Christ.
Rather than asking readers to choose between orthodoxy and heresy, Beginning with Jesus asks a historical question:
How were the central teachings of Jesus understood as Christianity developed during its first two centuries?
Through direct comparison of the Gospels, the New Testament, and surviving Valentinian writings including the Gospel of Truth, Gospel of Philip, Tripartite Tractate, Interpretation of Knowledge, and other early Christian texts, this book explores both the remarkable continuity and the meaningful diversity of Christianity during its formative centuries.
Accessible to general readers while grounded in ancient sources, Beginning with Jesus is for anyone interested in Jesus, early Christianity, Christian origins, Gnosticism, Valentinian Christianity, the Nag Hammadi writings, and the historical development of Christian thought.
Before asking which interpretation of Christianity prevailed, begin where Christianity itself began, with Jesus.
Also from
Fitch, Steve
Flam Pathways to Drumming Fluency: Fantastic Hands, Volume 2/Fantastic Feet, Volume 3
Fitch, Steve
Paperback
Also in
Gnosticism
The Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes: The Initiatory Teachings of the Last Supper
Gaffney, Mark H.
Paperback
Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven't Tried Yet
Watterson, Meggan
Paperback
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume
Robinson, James M.
Meyer, Marvin W.
Paperback
The Corpus Hermeticum: Initiation Into Hermetics, The Hermetica Of Hermes Trismegistus (Large Print Edition)
Mead, G. R. S.
Hardcover
Pistis Sophia: The Gnostic Tradition of Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and His Disciples
Mead, G. R. S.
Paperback
The Corpus Hermeticum: Initiation Into Hermetics, The Hermetica Of Hermes Trismegistus (Large Print Edition)
Mead, G. R. S.
Paperback
The Magdalene Revolution: The Return of the Sacred Feminine and the Birth of Radical Equality
Harvey, Andrew
Hardcover
Pistis Sophia: The Gnostic Text of Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and His Disciples
Mead, G. R. S.
Hardcover
The Gnostic Gospels: Including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene
Jacobs, Alan
Nersessian, Vrej
Hardcover
Not in His Image (15th Anniversary Edition): Gnostic Vision, Sacred Ecology, and the Future of Belief
Lash, John Lamb
Paperback
The Book of Jubilees: Origins of Creation, the Watchers, and Divine Law Uncovered - Lost Genesis Texts Explained
Pakal, Elias
Paperback
Jesus and the Lost Goddess: The Secret Teachings of the Original Christians
Freke, Timothy
Gandy, Peter
Paperback
A Beginner's Guide to Gnosticism: Understanding Archons, the Demiurge and Hidden Truths of Reality
Kissinger, Harmony
Paperback
Pistis Sophia: The Gnostic Text of Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and His Disciples
Mead, G. R. S.
Paperback
The Books of Enoch Revealed: The Wicked Watchers, Metatron, and the Fruits of Forbidden Knowledge
Churton, Tobias
Paperback
Quantum Spirituality: Science, Gnostic Mysticism, and Connecting with Source Consciousness
Canova, Peter
Paperback
Thrice-Greatest Hermes; Studies in Hellenistic Theosophy and Gnosis [Three Volumes in One]
Mead, G. R. S.
Hermes, Trismegistus
Paperback
The Gnostic Religion: The Message of the Alien God and the Beginnings of Christianity
Jonas, Hans
Paperback
The Forbidden Book of Enoch: Ancient Secrets of Angels, Demons, and the End of Days
James, Hyart
Paperback
Floral Coloring Books Flower Designs for Adults Relaxation: An Adult Coloring Book
Flower Coloring Books for Adults
Paperback
Pistis Sophia: The Gnostic Text of Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and His Disciples
Mead, G. R. S.
Paperback
The Complete Nag Hammadi Scriptures for Beginners: Exploring the Hidden Wisdom and Mystical Roots of the Gnostic Gospels
Veridian, Aurelia
Paperback
Broken Vessels: Theogonies of the Divine Light in Judaism and Christianity
Orlov, Andrei A.
Hardcover
Essential Gnostic Scriptures: Texts of Luminous Wisdom from the Ancient and Medieval Worlds?Including the Gospels of Thomas, Judas, and Mary Magdalene
Barnstone, Willis
Meyer, Marvin
Paperback
Motivation Coloring Book for Adult: Coffee is My Best Friend (Coffee, Animals and Flower design pattern)
Jupiter Coloring
Paperback
The Complete Nag Hammadi and Gnostic Library: Hidden Scriptures, Esoteric Knowledge, and the Origins of Christian Beliefs Revealed
Valencore, Tiberius
Paperback
La Revolucion de Maria Magdalena: El Retorno de Lo Femenino Sagrado Y El Nacimiento de la Igualdad Radical
Harvey, Andrew
Paperback
The Chaldean Oracles Of Zoroaster: To Which Is Added the Hypostasis of the Archons
Author, Unknown
Paperback
The Guardian Alliance: Gridwork and New Earth Prophecy - Volume I: Foundations of Planetary Architecture
Angel, Indigo
Hardcover
The Nag Hammadi Scripture for Beginners: Unveiling the Lost Gnostic Gospels, Myths, and Wisdom
Jones, Tabitha
Paperback
Fragments of the Pleroma: The Gnostic, Martinist, and Hermetic Traditions of the Apostolic Church of the Pleroma
Phosphoros, Tau
Paperback
Irenaeus and the Glory of God: Gnosticism, Recapitulation and True Humanity in Christ
Whitworth
Paperback
Pistis Sophia: The Gnostic Tradition of Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and His Disciples
Mead, G. R. S.
Paperback
Finding Your Religion: When the Faith You Grew Up with Has Lost Its Meaning
McLennan, Scotty
Paperback
The Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Christian Scriptures: Or the Wisdom in a Mystery
Kingsland, William
Paperback
Gnostic Presences in Ethiopia: Spiritual Lore and Magic in Ethiopian Christianity
Cartocci, Paolo
Paperback
Evagrius's Kephalaia Gnostika: A New Translation of the Unreformed Text from the Syriac
Ramelli, Ilaria L. E.
Paperback
The Sophia of Jesus Christ and Eugnostos the Blessed: The Divine Feminine and T
Lumpkin, Joseph B.
Paperback
The Gospel Of Thomas: A Literal Translation Of The Hidden Sayings Of Jesus
Shaver, Derek A.
Paperback
Thrice-Greatest Hermes: Studies in Hellenistic Theosophy and Gnosis (3 books in One ) Volumes I-II-III (Annotated)
Mead, G. R. S.
Paperback
The Hidden Secret of God the Bible Decoded by Neville Goddard: Volume One (Large Print Edition)
Goddard
Alio Publishing Group
Paperback
Secrets of the Watchers and the Nephilim: Prophecies from the Book of Enoch
Kissinger, Harmony
Paperback
Paradise Transcended: The Gospel of Gnosis and the Kingdom Within
Ex Lux Aeturnus, Elder Zimriah
Hardcover
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene: A Guide to Divine Wisdom and Spiritual Healing
Forward, The Way
Paperback
Voices of Gnosticism: Interviews with Elaine Pagels, Marvin Meyer, Bart Ehrman, Bruce Chilton and Other Leading Scholars
Conner, Miguel
Paperback
Gnostic America: A Reading of Contemporary American Culture & Religion according to Christianity's Oldest Heresy
Burfeind, Peter M.
Paperback
THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS (New Edition): The Untold Truth About Christianity's Most Misunderstood Disciple
Plamondon, Fabien
Paperback
Pistis Sophia: The Gnostic Text of Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and His Disciples
Mead, G. R. S.
Paperback
The Lost Gospel Library: Unlocking the Secret Teachings of the Nag Hammadi Scriptures
James, Hyart
Paperback
Levitikon: An Exposition of the Fundamental Principles of the Doctrine of the Primitive Catholic Christians
Fabré-Palaprat, Bernard-Raymond
Hardcover
Irenaeus and the Glory of God: Gnosticism, Recapitulation and True Humanity in Christ
Whitworth
Hardcover
From Ritual to Romance: The True Source of the Holy Grail (Aziloth Books)
Weston, Jessie Laidlay
Paperback
Gnostic John the Baptizer: Annotated Edition in Large Print (Large Print Edition)
Mead, G. R. S.
Paperback
Satan's Secret Pylon: An exposition of the Satanic philosophy at the heart of the Apostolic Johannite Church
Freeman, Reginald
Paperback
The Hymns of Hermes: Songs of the Soul - The Secret Teachings of Hermes Trismegistus - Echoes of Gnosis Collection Vol. II - Gnostic Books (Large Print Edition)
Mead, G. R. S.
Animatarot
Paperback
The Gnostics, the New Version, and the Deity of Christ
Whitefield, George
Green, Jay Patrick, Sr.
Paperback
The Gnostic New Age: How a Countercultural Spirituality Revolutionized Religion from Antiquity to Today
Deconick, April
Paperback
The Pleromic Light Unveiled: An Instructive Monograph on the Holy Gnostic Liturgy of the Pleromic Light
Phosphoros, Tau
Paperback
The Book of Kings and the Explanations of This World: A Universal History from the Late Sasanian Empire
Häberl, Charles
Paperback
The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross: A History of the Rosicrucians
Waite, Arthur Edward
Waite, A. E.
Paperback
The Gnostic Gospel of Mary Magdalene: Rediscovering the Lost Teachings, early Christian Mysticism and Feminine Apostolic Power
Nicholas, Abraham
Paperback
EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES Volume 1: Shetaut Neter, The Mysteries of Neterian Religion and Metaphysics
Ashby, Muata
Paperback
Gospel of Thomas Explained for Beginners: Understanding the Hidden Sayings of Jesus and the Mystery of an Ancient Gospel
Sanchez, Ivan M.
Paperback
A Beginner's Guide to the Gospel of Thomas: The Sayings of Jesus in Early Christianity
Kissinger, Harmony
Paperback
The Constipated Spirit: A Devotional Reclamation of the Divine Feminine from the Clogged Arteries of Orthodox Christianity
MC Kenzie, S. Y.
Paperback