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Gnosticism: Difference between revisions
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Scholars believe that the origins of Gnosticism may be pre-Christian because the several streams of Gnostic thought reflect Hellenic, Oriental, Iranian and Egyptian philosophic tendencies, including those of [[Hermes Trismegistus]]. Among the Christian Gnostics there was a diversity of views and life-styles—some were strictly ascetic; others were accused of being morally licentious. But in general they did share a common belief that the means to salvation was through ''gnosis'', or knowledge. This ''gnosis'' was not an intellectual, rational knowing, but a knowledge of one’s self, of God, and of the world—and an understanding of their relationship to each other. | Scholars believe that the origins of Gnosticism may be pre-Christian because the several streams of Gnostic thought reflect Hellenic, Oriental, Iranian and Egyptian philosophic tendencies, including those of [[Hermes Trismegistus]]. Among the Christian Gnostics there was a diversity of views and life-styles—some were strictly ascetic; others were accused of being morally licentious. But in general they did share a common belief that the means to salvation was through ''gnosis'', or knowledge. This ''gnosis'' was not an intellectual, rational knowing, but a knowledge of one’s self, of God, and of the world—and an understanding of their relationship to each other. | ||
The Gnostics considered themselves the keepers of Christ’s inner teachings, passed down to them by his disciples. They also believed that after Jesus’ resurrection he continued to reveal higher spiritual mysteries—not only to chosen apostles and disciples, but to all who would become quickened to his message and mission. They claimed that this progressive revelation was imparted through visions, dreams or direct communication with the person of Christ. | The Gnostics considered themselves the keepers of Christ’s inner teachings, passed down to them by his disciples. They also believed that after Jesus’ resurrection he continued to reveal higher spiritual mysteries—not only to chosen apostles and disciples, but to all who would become quickened to his message and mission. They claimed that this [[progressive revelation]] was imparted through visions, dreams or direct communication with the person of Christ. | ||
The Gnostics wrote down these teachings as collections of sayings, parables and proverbs; exhortations or sermons; interpretations of scripture; stories; or dialogues between Jesus and one of the disciples. The dialogues—often written in the name of a disciple or a biblical figure—did not necessarily include the words of the disciple himself but were written, for example, in the spirit of Philip, John or Mary Magdalene as a continuation of their original experience of communion with the Master. | The Gnostics wrote down these teachings as collections of sayings, parables and proverbs; exhortations or sermons; interpretations of scripture; stories; or dialogues between Jesus and one of the disciples. The dialogues—often written in the name of a disciple or a biblical figure—did not necessarily include the words of the disciple himself but were written, for example, in the spirit of Philip, John or Mary Magdalene as a continuation of their original experience of communion with the Master. | ||