Gnosticism

[PVE1]

Can someone in EXTREMELY simple terms explain Gnosticism for me? For some reason, I absolutely do not understand the movement. When I try to read about it, I feel like the words become a different language. Thanks and peace be with you!

 

[David_2010]

From what I've learnt, Gnosticism is about coming to know God, not just believe in him (or her/it/whatever term you prefer), it's about recognising the part of God within you.

I can post a good reading list a bit later, if you like? .

Hope this helps.

David.

 

[savethedreams]

I'm researching now as well I have no idea what Gnosticism is nor do I fully understand it all

 

[Pegg]

Gnostic comes from the Greek word gno′sis and means “knowledge.” Basically, they believe that deep knowledge comes via a mystical means rather then the revealed word of God. They believe this 'knowledge' is the inner truth revealed by Jesus but unknown to the apostles.

They attribute hidden meanings to Bible numbers, they taught that the spirit is good but all matter is inherently evil. Basically, Gnostic teachings were philosophy, speculation, and pagan mysticism...which is why the gnostic books contradict many of the christian writings.

Also, the bible writers warned about false teachers who were slowly taking form even when Paul was still alive. He wrote a letter to Timothy about these teachers...2Tim 4:3-4 “For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories.”

At 1 Timothy 6:20 we read: "O Timothy, guard what is laid up in trust with you, turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called “knowledge.” 21 For making a show of such [knowledge] some have deviated from the faith
In other letter he tells christians to avoid “philosophy and empty deception,” “idle talk,” “empty speeches,” “false stories,” and “strange teachings.”

 

[Onkara]

Thanks Pegg
I too would like to know more. I am not sure why it is associated with Christianity?
I found this link on about.com to be quite brief: Gnosticism - What is Gnosticism? - Who are the Gnostics?

 

[Pegg]

Thanks Pegg
I too would like to know more. I am not sure why it is associated with Christianity?
I found this link on about.com to be quite brief: Gnosticism - What is Gnosticism? - Who are the Gnostics?

your welcome.

Gnosticism was a type of pagan philosophical religion that has existed for many centuries...even before Christianity. The reason why it was introduced into christianity is because many pagans converted to christianity and when they did, they brought their gnostic influence with them. As new converts became influential in the congregations, they began to stray from the teachings of the apostles and began to teach Christianity their own way.

Paul was having a lot of trouble with such teachers for his writings are full of references to them such as to the Galatian congregation at Gal 1:6-9 "I marvel that YOU are being so quickly removed from the One who called YOU with Christ’s undeserved kindness over to another sort of good news. 7 But it is not another; only there are certain ones who are causing YOU trouble and wanting to pervert the good news about the Christ. "

 

[Pegg]

The Gospel According to Thomas is an example of a christian gnostic writing....it opens with the words: “These are the secret words which the Living Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas wrote.”

The Gospel of Phillip is another one where were we are told of Jesus close relationship with Mary Magdalene

 

[sandandfoam]

Gnosticism is a broad term.
A lot of it is reconstructionist because the inquisition made a pretty good job of wiping out the original.
A lot of it appeals to me. The Cathars especially. But they didn't consider themselves Gnostic - merely good Christians. Gnosticism has been put on them from our era.
I don't like, or accept the idea of esoteric knowledge.

 

[David_2010]

Thanks Pegg
I too would like to know more. I am not sure why it is associated with Christianity?
I found this link on about.com to be quite brief: Gnosticism - What is Gnosticism? - Who are the Gnostics?

Because Gnostics were one of the earliest Christian groups, I believe many scholars have stated Gnosticism has Jewish origins (it draws from other sources as well, though).

For those interested in Gnosticis, try these links:

Jordan Stratford: Gnosticism 101

The Gnosis Archive: Resources on Gnosticism and Gnostic Tradition

Ecclesia Gnostica - modern day Gnostic Church, the Bishop of it, Stephan A. Hoeller is an author I quite like (even though, technically, I'm learning about Judaism now, one of my interests is Gnosticism).

Hope these help .

 

[Wessexman]

It depends what you mean by gnosticism. Gnosis is knowledge. A Gnostic is one in this sense who has knowledge, particularly esoteric and mystical knowledge. There is actually nothing anti-Christian in this sort of Gnosticism, Christianity started as an esotericism, but Christianity quickly became very much what the Indians would call a Bhakti path emphasising love rather than a Jnana path emphasising knowledge. While it is true that Christian Gnosis has often taken much from the classical tradition, it is not correct to cast this as alien in essence to Christianity.

Another meaning of Gnosticism is several early Christian and non-Christian heresies, particularly associated with Valentinus. This of Gnosticism was usually quite metaphysically flawed.

 

[Requia]

Can someone in EXTREMELY simple terms explain Gnosticism for me? For some reason, I absolutely do not understand the movement. When I try to read about it, I feel like the words become a different language. Thanks and peace be with you!

Simple? You're asking a lot. This might help though.

The Path of Gnosis: 'What Do You Believe?'

 

[David_2010]

It depends what you mean by gnosticism. Gnosis is knowledge. A Gnostic is one in this sense who has knowledge, particularly esoteric and mystical knowledge. There is actually nothing anti-Christian in this sort of Gnosticism, Christianity started as an esotericism, but Christianity quickly became very much what the Indians would call a Bhakti path emphasising love rather than a Jnana path emphasising knowledge. While it is true that Christian Gnosis has often taken much from the classical tradition, it is not correct to cast this as alien in essence to Christianity.

Another meaning of Gnosticism is several early Christian and non-Christian heresies, particularly associated with Valentinus. This of Gnosticism was usually quite metaphysically flawed.

That's very true about Gnosis not being opposed to Christianity (or vice-versa), as even Clement of Alexandria, one of the early Church Fathers (I believe, right?) identified as a Gnostic (not in the sense of believing the world was evil, or that it was created by another God, I think he wrote against those types of Gnostics).

Personally, I find Valentinus' system quite interesting, this site is quite good at explaining the Valentinian tradition.

 

[thedope]

I don't like, or accept the idea of esoteric knowledge.

Esoteric means hidden. There are many references in christ teaching concerning levels of perception. Esoteric is only esoteric to the point that it is revealed. "Esoteric" is a legitimate linguistic integer, a word with a working meaning.

 

[PVE1]

Thank you everyone, I now have a better understanding. I had read the Gospel of Thomas before and recently purchased the Nag Hammadi library. What exactly makes the Gospel of Thomas a Gnostic text? Just because it says "secret words" in the beginning?

 

[Wessexman]

thedope is correct, there is nothing wrong with esoteric knowledge. It is the truest form of knowledge.

David, the problem with the systems like Valentinus is they are dualist, which is metaphysical nonsense. There can be no second absolute. They also view the manifested universe as evil as you say. Though it is certainly a limitation in some respects, it is still a reflection and a part of God and cannot be evil. Indeed evil does not exist in itself, it is but a privation of the Good, of God. Absolute evil then does not exist because nothing exists which is absolutely beyond God.

 

[Requia]

Not evil. Flawed.

 

[David_2010]

thedope is correct, there is nothing wrong with esoteric knowledge. It is the truest form of knowledge.

David, the problem with the systems like Valentinus is they are dualist, which is metaphysical nonsense. There can be no second absolute. They also view the manifested universe as evil as you say. Though it is certainly a limitation in some respects, it is still a reflection and a part of God and cannot be evil. Indeed evil does not exist in itself, it is but a privation of the Good, of God. Absolute evil then does not exist because nothing exists which is absolutely beyond God.

Thanks for the reply, if you don't mind, and, I do apologise if this OT, but, how would you view beings like Satan, and/or demons? (BTW, from what I've seen of your posts, I really like them and am learning a lot).

 

[Requia]

Wessexman: What do you mean by dualist anyway? I have to assume you don't mean mind/body separation.

 

[Wessexman]

One can informally use the term evil, evil is a privation of Good though, which itself is an attribute of God. So in this sense Satan is evil, but of course this simply means he is as far away from God, to put it in a limited but acceptable way, as it is possible to be. His exact being, whether he is a fallen angel or a principle, like the Homeric Gods, or some such I'm unsure of though.

 

[thedope]

The mind is naturally abstract.