Editing Sophia of Jesus Christ (section)

==Background==
The debate about dating is critical, since some argue that it reflects the "true, recorded, sayings" of [[Jesus]], which is possible if they were to be dated as far back as the 1st century. Others argue that they are, in fact, considerably later, and constitute an unreliable secondary source (at best ''post factum'' hearsay).{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} Roel van den Broek argues that because the text presupposes a familiarity with gnostic myth, it is unlikely to predate the mid-second century.{{sfn|van den Broek|2013|p=66}}

Most scholars argue that the text is of Gnostic origin, based on the similarities between the [[Mysticism|mystical]] teachings found in the text itself and standard Gnostic themes. Highly mystical, the content of this text concerns creation of [[deity|gods]], [[angel]]s, and the [[universe]] with an emphasis on [[Infinity|infinite]] and [[metaphysics|metaphysical]] [[truth]]. 

{{quote|The perfect saviour hath said: "Come (you) from things unseen unto the end of those that are seen, and the very emanation of Thought shall reveal unto you how faith in they which are unseen was found in them which are seen, they that belong to the Unbegotten Father. Whomsoever hath ears to hear, let him hear!"|The Sophia of Jesus Christ}}

The text is composed of 13 questions from the disciples, followed by brief discourses by Jesus in response. 
#The first question concerns the vanity and futility of searching for God.
#The second concerns how to find truth, but only explaining what it is not.
#The third concerns how truth was revealed to the [[Gnosticism|gnostics]] at the beginning of time.
#The fourth concerns how one must awake to see the truth.
#The fifth concerns how things began.
#The sixth concerns how mankind came to [[gnosis]].
#The seventh concerns the position of Jesus in all this.
#The eighth concerns the identity of Jesus.
#The ninth concerns how the spirit connects to the material.
#The tenth concerns the number of spirits.
#The eleventh concerns the immortal.
#The twelfth concerns those who are not material.
#The final question concerns where mankind came from and what purpose it should have.