I found this book flaked out and spacey....I'm fairly open minded, and do believe there are hidden truths in the Bible, however some of what the author descibes seems like a drugged out space trip. After reading Elaine Pagels synopsis of the secret gospels unearthed at Nag Hammadi, I was Very dissappointed to read such far out un-useful stuff.If I am to understand, Gnostiscm is the path that each person has a direct relationship w/ the creator/divine/all that is. What I read was Panella's interpretation of the Bible. Nothing here to aid someone seeking to persue a spiritual path(never mind a direct relationship w/ a Higher Power) while in an earthly exsistance....I personally believe the secret truth will be revealed when we re-discover for ourselves the feminine face of God and how we as a species are sufferring for lack of it. Read history, mythology, astrology for the great archtypal truths.