02443cam a22003013u 4500 12892 UtSlPG 20260610133315.0 m cr n 260607r2004||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 BF Mead, G. R. S. (George Robert Stow), 1863-1933 Simon Magus : An Essay on the Founder of Simonianism Based on the Ancient Sources With a Re-Evaluation of His Philosophy and Teachings Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2004 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2004-07-12 Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Wilelmina Mallière and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. "Simon Magus" by G. R. S. Mead is an essay on the founder of Simonianism, likely written in the early 20th century. The work aims to provide a re-evaluation of Simon Magus based on ancient sources, particularly examining his philosophy and teachings. Examining the context of the legends that surround him and contrasting them with patristic writings, the text presents Simon not merely as a notorious sorcerer condemned by early Christians, but as a complex thinker whose ideas may intersect with broader theosophical currents present in various world religions. The opening of the essay establishes the framework for understanding Simon Magus by summarizing the common perceptions held about him in early Christian texts. Mead identifies how Simon is frequently portrayed as the archetype of heresy and a magician whose teachings conflict with orthodox Christianity, yet argues that such portrayals have often misrepresented him. The section discusses the sources that inform these views, from the New Testament to patristic writings, setting up the thesis that Simon's actual teachings warrant a more nuanced understanding. It suggests that Mead will delve deeper into Simon's possible philosophical contributions later in the essay, moving beyond mere condemnation to explore the potentially valuable insights he offered. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Simon, Magus, active 1st century https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12892 54286 54286