Marvin Meyer

Marvin Meyer was an American religious scholar and professor known for his expertise in Gnosticism, Coptic studies, and his translations of ancient Christian texts outside the New Testament canon. He was widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on the Nag Hammadi library and related Gnostic writings, making these long-obscure documents accessible to both scholars and the general public through his meticulous translations and interpretive works.

Born on April 16, 1948, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Meyer developed an early fascination with antiquity, mythologies, and the origins of Christianity. He earned his doctorate at Claremont Graduate University, where he contributed to the team preparing the Nag Hammadi Library—a collection of fourth-century Gnostic manuscripts—for publication in 1978. Fluent in ten languages, including several nearly extinct ones, he joined Chapman University in Orange, California, where he held the Griset Chair in Bible and Christian Studies and served as director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute.

Meyer's most prominent contribution came with his 2006 translation of the Gospel of Judas for the National Geographic Society, which reframed Judas Iscariot as a figure acting on Jesus' instructions rather than as a betrayer, and sold over 1.2 million copies. He authored and edited numerous books, including The Gospel of Thomas , Ancient Christian Magic , and The Nag Hammadi Scriptures , and appeared as an expert in documentaries on networks such as ABC, BBC, A&E, and the History Channel. Meyer died on August 16, 2012, at the age of 64 from complications of melanoma.

Marvin Meyer was born on April 16, 1948, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was raised there throughout his childhood. He was the son of Martin Meyer and June Meyer. His father worked as a purchasing agent for a utility company.

Meyer's interest in antiquity and the early history of Christianity developed during his youth in Grand Rapids. As recalled by his wife Bonnie, whom he met in high school, Meyer collected books even then and was fascinated by the mythologies, cultures, and power struggles that emerged around Christianity at its origins. His enduring engagement with these subjects began early in life.

Marvin Meyer earned his A.B. degree from Calvin College in 1970. He subsequently pursued theological training at Calvin Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 1974.

Meyer completed his Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University in 1979. During his doctoral studies, he was mentored by James M. Robinson, founder of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity. As a graduate student, Meyer collaborated with Robinson and a team of scholars to prepare the Nag Hammadi Library—a collection of fourth-century Gnostic papyrus manuscripts—for publication in 1978. This work provided the foundation for his specialization in Gnosticism, Coptic texts, and early Christian literature.

Following his doctorate, Meyer held visiting professorships at Barnard College, Columbia University (1978–1979) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (1979–1980) before joining the faculty at Claremont Graduate University as an assistant professor in 1982. He later transitioned to a long-term position at Chapman University.

Marvin Meyer held the Griset Chair in Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University, where he served as the Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies. He was on the faculty at Chapman University for 27 years until his death in 2012. This chair, the first endowed chair established at Chapman University in 1984, focused on Bible and Christian Studies.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Meyer took on significant administrative roles within the institution. He served as director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute, as chair of the Religious Studies Department, and as the first president of the Faculty Senate.