243: Pistis Sophia

Ryan and Alex dive into the Coptic Nag Hammadi text Pistis Sophia, a 3rd–4th century work that presents a radically different vision of Jesus Christ and the cosmos. Set 11 years after the resurrection, it portrays Jesus as a radiant being of light teaching his disciples, especially Mary Magdalene, about his journey through heavenly realms and the redemption of Sophia, a divine figure who fell into the darkness and must rise again through repentance.

They unpack this deeply symbolic story as an allegory for humanity’s fall into material existence and a blueprint for spiritual ascent, exploring themes of purification, enlightenment, and the hidden mysteries of the light.