Difference between revisions of "Gnosticism"
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In general, Gnostics are said to believe that the body is a mere vessel for the [[soul]], which is the true form<ref>The language and ideas of the Gnostics demonstrate strong Platonic influence</ref> of the person. For most, it is released only upon death, but for some (Jesus, as an example) the body can be shed at will. The True God is Pure Good, however, the Creator of the Earth (<i>demiurgos</i>) is not the true god, and material evil infiltrates all things. Disease, old age, and the act of rotting of the flesh after death are examples of the evil that exist in the earthly plains. The earth is a sculpture or model of Truth. | In general, Gnostics are said to believe that the body is a mere vessel for the [[soul]], which is the true form<ref>The language and ideas of the Gnostics demonstrate strong Platonic influence</ref> of the person. For most, it is released only upon death, but for some (Jesus, as an example) the body can be shed at will. The True God is Pure Good, however, the Creator of the Earth (<i>demiurgos</i>) is not the true god, and material evil infiltrates all things. Disease, old age, and the act of rotting of the flesh after death are examples of the evil that exist in the earthly plains. The earth is a sculpture or model of Truth. | ||
| − | Gnosticism teaches that any person can have direct knowledge of God and does not require priest, church, ritual, or scripture to obtain this relationship.<ref>Needless to say, this didn't sit well with priests, churches, ritualists, and those writing the "canonized" scriptures. This was one of the single contributing factors to the "war of the churches" (this author's term) that runs pel-mel for 200 years.</ref> | + | Gnosticism teaches that any person can have direct knowledge of God and does not require priest, church, ritual, or scripture to obtain this relationship.<ref>Needless to say, this didn't sit well with priests, churches, ritualists, and those writing the "canonized" scriptures. This was one of the single contributing factors to the "war of the churches" (this author's term) that runs pel-mel for 200 years.</ref> It should be noted, however, that this direct connection came through the memorization and recitation of esoteric formulations, rather than direct prayer or "[[unverifiable personal gnosis]]". |
==Christianity & Gnosticism== | ==Christianity & Gnosticism== | ||
Revision as of 05:05, 23 October 2008
Gnosticism is an Abrahamic religion rooted in the idea of secret knowledge about god and the spirit. Roughly, Gnosticism refers to many different churches, groups or sects in the ancient near-east at or around the 1-3rd Century CE.
Theology & Metaphysics
In general, Gnostics are said to believe that the body is a mere vessel for the soul, which is the true form[1] of the person. For most, it is released only upon death, but for some (Jesus, as an example) the body can be shed at will. The True God is Pure Good, however, the Creator of the Earth (demiurgos) is not the true god, and material evil infiltrates all things. Disease, old age, and the act of rotting of the flesh after death are examples of the evil that exist in the earthly plains. The earth is a sculpture or model of Truth.
Gnosticism teaches that any person can have direct knowledge of God and does not require priest, church, ritual, or scripture to obtain this relationship.[2] It should be noted, however, that this direct connection came through the memorization and recitation of esoteric formulations, rather than direct prayer or "unverifiable personal gnosis".
Christianity & Gnosticism
Only a fraction of the near-east Gnosticism in the 1-3rd century were Christians. Traditionally, scholars knew only of the Christian Gnostics from texts written by those who saw Gnosticism as heresy. All of the scholarship done on Christian Gnosticism carried the idea that it was a rare sect who chose gnosticism, and that Gnostics at large tended to be fringe believers. However, since the discover of the Nag Hamadi texts, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other works like the Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of Mary it becomes clear that there were serious fights over which school had the true version of Jesus' teachings. Gnostic churches were far more common and more powerful and more organized than was ever presented by the eventual dominant church, the Catholic church. Works such as the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Judas show authorship in direct conflict with what was to become "the Church," and the characters who are "praised" in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Paul are demonized in Mary and Judas.
Footnotes
- ↑ The language and ideas of the Gnostics demonstrate strong Platonic influence
- ↑ Needless to say, this didn't sit well with priests, churches, ritualists, and those writing the "canonized" scriptures. This was one of the single contributing factors to the "war of the churches" (this author's term) that runs pel-mel for 200 years.