One of the reasons I am interested in this topic of visionary experiences is that they help flesh out a tangible environment, on the basis of concrete evidence, from which Christianity emerged. This is in contrast to the model of “oral traditions” being the roots of the canonical gospel narratives. The gospel narratives stand at an opposing polarity from the idea of salvation through a heavenly vision of the divine. April DeConick’s book, Voices of the Mystics, around which this and my previous posts are put together, argues that in the Gospel of John we find strong indications of a debate with Thomasine Christians who did uphold a central importance of the visionary experience. (Note, for example, the criticism of Thomas for believing only because he has seen.)
Enochian traditions in the Synoptic Gospels
But there is a somewhat different story and approach to visions in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). Continue reading “Ascents to the Celestial Temple and Heavenly Descents, and what any of this has to do with early Christianity”
