The Apostolic Johannite Church is saddened to learn of the passing of the eminent scholar of Gnosticism and Christianity – Dr. Birger Pearson.
Dr. Pearson was our featured speaker at Conclave 2011, in Sedalia, CO at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat Center, giving several talks on the Apocryphon of John, Sethian Gnosticism, the Gospel of Mary, and the figure of Mary Magdalene.
We were also fortunate to have him join us for our other talks, lectures and workshops- where we got to benefit from his scholarship, insight and wisdom throughout the program. It was a treat to watch him talk scripture and history not only with our guests, members and clergy but also with Fr. Vince Hovley, scholar in his own right, who gave an excellent talk on the Eucharist and the Gospel of John, during which Dr. Pearson was an enthusiastic participant and additional expert.
The linked UC Santa Barbara post lists his formidable education, teaching history and his pioneering work on the Nag Hammadi, and I bow to their write up of an extraordinary academic and pioneer- but I will leave you with a moment that I think speaks also to the quality of his heart and humour.
There have been many moments serving our community in this role, that I count as significant privileges – with serving a community of sincere seekers being first and foremost. But one of the ones I have the most fun with, is the ability to spend time with notable thinkers whose work our community both admires and has benefitted from- and the opportunity to be the fanboy-in-chief.
In Dr. Pearson’s case, this came as the opportunity to commandeer a table with him during our meals at Conclave- and ask questions that I was just dying to know the answer to.
As soon as I had plausible opportunity – I asked “What was it like to read the words of Gnostic scripture off the actual papyrus, knowing that you were among the first to do so in over 1600 years?”
He replied very humbly that it felt like work, like his job, and we both laughed.
Here was a man with considerable accolades, education and power of mind, whose passion for his specialty was clear and sharp – and he gave a very human answer in such a way as to underline that the importance of the thing was greater than his role in it.
We hope you will enjoy watching, or re-watchiing, his fine talks with us, as much as we enjoyed them and our time with him.
Dr. Birger Pearson – Sethian Gnosticism
Dr. Birger Pearson – The Apocryphon of John (Part of his Sethian Gnosticism talk)
Dr. Birger Pearson – Mary Magdalene
Dr. Birger Pearson – The Gospel of Mary
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
+ IOHANNES IV
Sovereign Pontiff and Patriarch.