International Conference on Gnosticism

In commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Antonio Orbe, sj

Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet

October 12 to 14, 2018

International Conference on Gnosticism in Poblet

Symposium commemorating the centenary of the birth of the gnosis scholar Antonio Orbe.

Council: Josep Montserrat, Josep-Antoni Peramos (O.Cist.), Òscar Castro

Summary:

Deciding to hold an encounter around gnosticism arose from the enthusiasm of two lovers of knowledge. One born from the philosophical annals of more than twenty years within the Autonomous University of Barcelona. The other, born from theological love in the Monastery of Poblet. While working in and for the construction of the choir organ of the Monastery —work of the master organ builder Joan Carles Castro— we were blazing in the desire of taking a step forward, and to leave a humble footprint in Poblet.

We could not overlook the contribution of the master Antonio Orbe in the history of the study of gnosticism. Studies executed in the epic moments of transition in the research, where the fidelity of the texts of Irenaeus’ Adversus Haereses were put in objective criticism as a result of the discovery of the Nag Hammadi texts.

The discovery of the Nag Hammadi manuscripts meant, at the same time, a re-discovery of the philosophical and religious-gnostic currents of primitive Christianity. Antonio Orbe joined the renewal movement of the gnostic studies, so far subsumed in the general topic of the history of religions. Orbe revealed the systematic nature of gnostic theology, essentially linked to the Christian revelation and independent of alien myths. The gnostics were "the first theologians of faith".

That is why we wish, in the first place, to pay tribute to the master Orbe in the centenary of his birth, to value his contribution and the current validity of his studies, under the light of the discovery of the Nag Hammadi manuscripts.

On the other hand, we want to address the state of the art of the gnostic studies in general and the Nag Hammadi manuscripts in particular, after 78 years since its discovery. There also arises the question of the relationship that could exist between some approaches to some gnostic texts and their link with current science, especially with the new physics.

And as a final point, we are interested in discussing the very nature of gnosis and knowing what there is of perennial in the gnostic knowledge.

Date: October 12 to 14, 2018.

καταλιπῶν ζητεῖν θεὸν κατὰ κτἰσιν
Monoimus (Hippolytus, Refutatio VIII 15.1." Stop searching God in nature."

Conferences (provisional):

Friday 12 October afternoon:

1. Antonio Orbe interpreter of Gnosticism - Josep Montserrat-Torrents (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

2.  Current outlook of gnostic studies - Jean-Daniel Dubois (École Practice des Hautes Études, Paris).

Saturday 13 October morning:

3. Three key concepts of classical gnosis - Josep Montserrat-Torrents (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

4.  The ineluctable news of Ireneu about the gnostics - Giuliano Chiapparini (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano).

Saturday 13 October afternoon:

5.   Gospel of John and Gnosis (title to be established by the speaker).Antonio Piñero.

6. From Gnosticism to Manichaeanism - Madeleine Scopello (National Center for the Scientific Research, Paris).

Sunday 14 October morning:

7. Gnostic topics in current science - Basarab Nicolescu (International Center for Recherches et études Transdisciplinaires, Paris).

Other speakers:

-      Xavier M. Vicens Pedret (Faculty of Theology of Catalonia)

-      Manel Forcano (Institut Ramon Llull)

-      Anna van der Kerchove (Protestant Institute of Theology of Paris)

-      Luciana Gabriela Soares Santoprete (Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn)

-      Josep Rius-Camps (Faculty of Theology of Catalonia)

Accommodation and restaurant

Hotel of Poblet

 Organizer

Collaborators

Location