Can Any Christian Here Explain Why Gnosticism Is Wrong With Evidence ?

[Massimo2002]

I always see Christians insulting Gnosticism like they do with the new age movement but I have yet to see any Christians give real evidence as to why Gnosticism or new ageism are wrong. I think Christians just simply hate and are afraid of Gnosticism and new ageism because they aren't Christianity.

 

[1213]

I always see Christians insulting Gnosticism like they do with the new age movement but I have yet to see any Christians give real evidence as to why Gnosticism or new ageism are wrong. I think Christians just simply hate and are afraid of Gnosticism and new ageism because they aren't Christianity.

I think it depends on what it means.

What it means to you? And why do you think it is right?

 

[Kenny]

I always see Christians insulting Gnosticism like they do with the new age movement but I have yet to see any Christians give real evidence as to why Gnosticism or new ageism are wrong. I think Christians just simply hate and are afraid of Gnosticism and new ageism because they aren't Christianity.

Here is a simple-to-understand difference.

What is Christian Gnosticism? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christian Gnosticism? How does modern Gnosticism compare with first century Gnosticism?

www.gotquestions.org

Two main points:

First, it espouses a dualism regarding spirit and matter. Gnostics assert that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. As a result of this presupposition, Gnostics believe anything done in the body, even the grossest sin, has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only.

Second, Gnostics claim to possess an elevated knowledge, a “higher truth” known only to a certain few. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word gnosis which means “to know.” Gnostics claim to possess a higher knowledge, not from the Bible, but acquired on some mystical higher plane of existence. Gnostics see themselves as a privileged class elevated above everybody else by their higher, deeper knowledge of God.

 

[Ebionite]

Second, Gnostics claim to possess an elevated knowledge, a “higher truth” known only to a certain few. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word gnosis which means “to know.” Gnostics claim to possess a higher knowledge, not from the Bible, but acquired on some mystical higher plane of existence. Gnostics see themselves as a privileged class elevated above everybody else by their higher, deeper knowledge of God.

Gnosis(knowledge) is part of salvation:

He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:11

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Daniel 12:4

And YHWH answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:2-4

 

[metis]

Two main points:

First, it espouses a dualism regarding spirit and matter. Gnostics assert that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. As a result of this presupposition, Gnostics believe anything done in the body, even the grossest sin, has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only.

Second, Gnostics claim to possess an elevated knowledge, a “higher truth” known only to a certain few. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word gnosis which means “to know.” Gnostics claim to possess a higher knowledge, not from the Bible, but acquired on some mystical higher plane of existence. Gnostics see themselves as a privileged class elevated above everybody else by their higher, deeper knowledge of God.

Ya, I think it's all too close to "I know all the answers and you poor saps are out to lunch."

 

[Kenny]

Gnosis(knowledge) is part of salvation:

He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:11

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Daniel 12:4

And YHWH answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:2-4

I don’t your comment addressed the differences.

 

[Ebionite]

I don’t your comment addressed the differences.

The difference is based on who you believe. If you believe the one who identified as the truth then you have knowledge, but if you believe the one that identified as a liar then you have religious faith.

 

[Kenny]

The difference is based on who you believe. If you believe the one who identified as the truth then you have knowledge, but if you believe the one that identified as a liar then you have religious faith.

OK?

 

[Ebionite]

OK?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 6:29

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I am that bread of life.
John 6:47-48

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
John 5:43

 

[Kenny]

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 6:29

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I am that bread of life.
John 6:47-48

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
John 5:43

I agree with all of that but still don’t understand how that relates to what gnosticism believes in.

 

[Ebionite]

I agree with all of that but still don’t understand how that relates to what gnosticism believes in.

Literal gnosticism isn't about belief, it's about knowledge. Of course what the historical Gnostics believed may not have been knowledge, but you get that with people of any religious affiliation. It comes down to validation, the means by which something can be proven to be true.

 

[Kenny]

Literal gnosticism isn't about belief, it's about knowledge. Of course what the historical Gnostics believed may not have been knowledge, but you get that with people of any religious affiliation. It comes down to validation, the means by which something can be proven to be true.

It still doesn’t address the differences and why the two are not compatible. There may be some intersection, but few and far between IMV

 

[Ebionite]

It still doesn’t address the differences and why the two are not compatible. There may be some intersection, but few and far between IMV

They're not compatible because of the difference between the perfect and the imperfect.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, YHWH appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] El Shaday; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 17:1

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:48

 

[Jimmy]

Here is a simple-to-understand difference.

What is Christian Gnosticism? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christian Gnosticism? How does modern Gnosticism compare with first century Gnosticism?

www.gotquestions.org

Two main points:

First, it espouses a dualism regarding spirit and matter. Gnostics assert that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. As a result of this presupposition, Gnostics believe anything done in the body, even the grossest sin, has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only.

Second, Gnostics claim to possess an elevated knowledge, a “higher truth” known only to a certain few. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word gnosis which means “to know.” Gnostics claim to possess a higher knowledge, not from the Bible, but acquired on some mystical higher plane of existence. Gnostics see themselves as a privileged class elevated above everybody else by their higher, deeper knowledge of God.

I’m down with a higher knowledge

 

[Kenny]

They're not compatible because of the difference between the perfect and the imperfect.

Did not address the difference and I disagree with your statement

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, YHWH appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] El Shaday; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 17:1

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:48

Agree with the scripture

 

[Ebionite]

Did not address the difference and I disagree with your statement

Whether you agree or not is immaterial.

Agree with the scripture

Scripture is just a name for religious ideas that you like, usually those that are endorsed by the religion that you identify with.

 

[Wandering Monk]

I always see Christians insulting Gnosticism like they do with the new age movement but I have yet to see any Christians give real evidence as to why Gnosticism or new ageism are wrong. I think Christians just simply hate and are afraid of Gnosticism and new ageism because they aren't Christianity.

When you are talking about theology or the spiritual realm. NO ONE has evidence, just beliefs.

 

[Kenny]

Whether you agree or not is immaterial.

And when you make a statement that certainly doesn’t make it true

Scripture is just a name for religious ideas that you like, usually those that are endorsed by the religion that you identify with.

Of course I have a Biblical worldview. Look at my signature… but the context is in the title of the post which it appears that you don’t want to address

Two main points:

First, it espouses a dualism regarding spirit and matter. Gnostics assert that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. As a result of this presupposition, Gnostics believe anything done in the body, even the grossest sin, has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only.

In context, scripturally, matter isn’t inherently evil and spirit isn’t inherently good unless you are referring to the Spirit of God.

The grossest of sin is sin and does have meaning in this life as the spirit realm is connected to the physical realm (in context of my signature).

So… IF we stay within the goal post of the thread, they are not the same.

Now… if you want to mooooove the goal post, that’s another story.

 

[Ebionite]

And when you make a statement that certainly doesn’t make it true

What statements have I made which you can show are not true?

 

[Kenny]

What statements have I made which you can show are not true?

We can go all the way back to:

Gnosis(knowledge) is part of salvation:

Knowledge is mental… faith is spiritual - unless you can explain it better on how the two are connected.

AND, the two (Gnosticism and Christianity) are not compatible. I take note that you ignored the difference!