G R S Mead

Simon Magus G R S Mead

Simon Magus (His Philosophy and Teachings) was written by English historian, writer, editor, translator and Theosophist G. R. S. Mead, and originally published in 1892. Mead's work looks at the biblical figure of Simon the Magician, who is known by Christians for being rebuked by Peter the apostle, and how he tried to fly with the aid of demons, as told in the Acts of the Apostles. Generally it is considered that this is the end of the matter, however, Mead sets about the task of analysing texts found in patristic writings, legendary records, and trying to understand the various theories that have been put forward. One in particular, that is quite astonishing, is that Simon was an alias for Paul, and that potentially, Simon and Peter in the accounts of the fathers were concrete symbols to represent the two sides of the Pauline and Petrine controversies. The work is structured along the lines of looking at the sources of information, then reviewing the authorities on the subject, and finally looking at a Simonian system of Theosophy that Mead believed existed, which was similar to the Theosophical Society of Mead's day.