Sethianism in nag Hammadi literature

The Subject of this study is one of the gnostic movements, Sethianism, which lived in the first centuries of Christianity. Named after the third son of Adam and Eve, Seth, this religious movement came to attention after the discovery of Nag Hammadi literature. Purpose of this study is assesment of the Sethianism under the light of its holy scriptures, without the influence of heresiologic litrerature. In this study, Sethian myths has been analysed in three parts as birth of the gods, creation of humanity and salvation doctrine. Sethianism has a very complex cosmology which consists of celestial beings emanated from a trancendent first principle. Also material world has been created by a malevolent demiurgos which has been born after a cosmic accident. Human beings belongs to the celestial realm which is called Pleroma with his spritual essence yet belongs to material world with his corporeal body. Cause of all the pain arises from the human condition is the conflict between this two opposite natures. Salvation is possible only by the ascent of the divine essence to the celestial realm. Keywords: Sethianism, Nag Hammadi, Gnosticism, Demiurgos.