Gospel of Philip

ANALOGUE 23 Wisdom and Death Wisdom is one reality and death is another. (Wisdom, khomath, in Aramaic is simply Sophia in Greek). From death comes the wisdom of death, so that those acquainted with death do indeed possess a certain kind of wisdom, though it is a minor one. Wisdom is contrasted with death. Wisdom is Life itself, and then there is its opposite, death.   The linguistic base of the terms for wisdom:  khomath  in Aramaic,  Sophia  in Greek. A declaration of the “wisdom of death” as a minor or secondary form of wisdom.   Categories of major and minor forms of wisdom. We are in search now for what is a major form of wisdom rather than its minor forms. The contrasts in a hierarchy of higher and lower wisdom and perhaps wisdom from one realm versus another.  COMMENTARY Two Realms of Wisdom While it is possible that due to distance in time (and a lack of context) that something could have been lost from the original oral teaching behind this written text, it is absolutely clear

  ANALOGUE 22 The Anomalies of Spirit and Wisdom Those who stray are both born of Spirit and yet led astray by Spirit, for it is through the Spirit as breath that the fire both blazes up and is extinguished. Here is a new metaphor for Sacred Spirit, as the divine Feminine force and principle of generativity, as well as of another activity: bringing death and destruction.  These are strange statements about both birth and being led astray. What is Spirit up to? How does Spirit lead astray? Why? What is the theological thought or metaphysics behind this)? Is this another form of predestination? A new metaphor that involves breath and fire, inhalation and exhalation. Might there be a connection to other forms of energy described in Eastern spiritual traditions? This seems similar to the Hindu doctrine of Kali and the dance of creation and destruction. How might they be related? COMMENTARY The Paradoxes of Wisdom We are in very interesting and paradoxical territory in this analogue. Oppo

 

  ANALOGUE 21 The apostles said this to their students, “May our offerings be salted.” They called “salt,” wisdom, for without its savor nothing is acceptable. Yet, wisdom herself remains barren without a son. She is called “Mother,” therefore, because in her there is salt which has been found for us by the Sacred Spirit who assists in making many children. That which the Father possesses belongs also to the children, but as long as they remain in their infancy, nothing is ever entrusted to them. When, however, they mature, all that the Father possesses he willingly gives to them. The metaphor of wisdom as salt—salt is essential for many purposes. Salt preserves foods and makes them more acceptable or palatable; it relates to feeding.  Salt assists Wisdom in making many children (perhaps through the feeding relationship).  Wisdom is identified as the mothering principle. The goal of divine Wisdom is to bring progeny into existence. Wisdom is barren without birthing and raising chil