Is Gnosticism A Real Religion?

Is Gnosticism A Real Religion?

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There are many references about the Gnostics within second century proto-orthodox writings. Gnosticism involves the teachings using Gnosis, which is defined as the knowledge of transcendence arrived at by way of an interior, intuitive means. Gnosticism is a philosophical and religious movement which began during pre-Christian times. It is pronounced using a silent "G" (NO-sis). Gnostics claimed for secret knowledge about God, humanity and the rest from the universe of which of the masses was unaware. It became one of the three main belief systems within 1st century Christianity, as well as was noticed because of its:

Different beliefs regarding Gods, the Bible, and the world, which was different from those who are of separate Christian groups.

Tolerance of different religious beliefs from believers who are Gnostic, as well as those outside of Gnosticism.

An open-minded approach to the female gender.

As mainline Christianity increased in power and became more organized, Gnostic sects were under increasing pressure and persecution. The Gnostics nearly disappeared by the 6th century. The only sect to have survived into modern times has been the Mandaean sect of Iraq and Iran. This sect has roughly 15,000 members (one source says fifteen hundred), and can trace their history continuously back to the original Gnostic movement. Its beliefs have been recently experiencing a re-emergence throughout the world.

Although Gnosticism does draw on ones personal religious or spiritual experiences, it's incorrect to make the assumption that all such experiences will end up in people becoming Gnostic. It is closer to the truth to say that Gnosticism expresses a particular religious experience, an experience that doesnt lend itself towards the language of theology or philosophy, but which has been instead closely related to, and expresses itself through, myths. Indeed, one finds that most Gnostic scriptures take the form of myths. The word myth used here ought not to construed as meaning tales that arent true, but rather, that the truths expressed within these myths are of the different order from the strict rules of theology or the statements of philosophy. Gnosticism is the name used to refer to the movement during the yrs of early Christianity, where the followers had a strongly-held belief that matter has been evil and which salvation is possible by spiritual knowledge.

In 1945, near the Egyptian desert of Nag Hammadi, quite a few Gnostic gospels which had been hidden for centuries, had been discovered by 2 local farmers.

A few of the Gnostic documents are: the Gospel of Truth, the Letter to Rheginus, Treatise on our Three Natures, Apocalypse of Adam, the Gospel of Matthias, Gospel of Philip, Acts of Peter, and Acts of Thomas. Even though the Gnostics had been prolific writers, most of their works were burnt or lost in favor of proto-orthodox writings (and hinted at only in patristic references).| A few scholars have theorized that Gnosticism may have its roots in pre-Christian religions, rather than being merely as an off-shoot of Christianity.

About the Author:
At the Universal Life Church Seminary, you can learn about Gnosticism,become ordained for free and get free minister training.



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