Tripartite Tractate

The Tripartite Tractate is a third or mid-fourth century Gnostic work found in the Nag Hammadi library. It is the fifth tractate of the first codex, known as the Jung Codex, and is divided into three parts. Ultimately, the Tripartite Tractate is extremely unique in its Gnostic understanding of the workings of the universe; while it somewhat relates to traditional Valentinian teachings, it branches off into distinct explanations about God, Logos, and other subjects.[1]

The first part focuses on the Father, who is the creator of everything and, in this Gnostic text at least, a solitary being who possesses both male and female qualities. The Father is a deity of love who decides to engender the pre-existing Son. The relationship between the Father and the Son creates the Church. The author seems to view these figures in a way similar to what would become the orthodox Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Church are three equal components of a single being. This section continues on to discuss the myth of Sophia with an exceptionally strong focus on Logos, or the Word. Logos initiates creation in a manner that ultimately works according to the plan of the Father.[1]

The second part explains the creation and Death’s rise in power. Three types of humans are defined: the pneumatics connected to the spirit, the hylics connected to matter, and the psychics connected to the soul.[1]

The third part explains the role of the Savior to bring humans back to God and defeat Death. Hylics will not follow Christ and will perish, but the pneumatics and the psychics will obey Christ and eventually succeed in returning to God.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 director, James M. Robinson, (1977). The Nag Hammadi Library : Chenoposkion Manuscripts English (1st U.S. ed. ed.). New York: Harper & Row. p. 55. ISBN 0-06-066929-2.

External links