Does anyone know that Gnosticism is a form of Chrisitianity?

Question

Wow! I am reading a book entitled "The Gnostic Bible" and boy it is saying some things about life, Jesus, God and Creation that I would never have thought of- ever!
A form of Christianity, Gnosticism, swears by secret meanings of life.
Here's an excerpt from the Secret Book of John:
"to the present day fate is harder than what gods, angels, demons, and all the generations have encountered . . . thus all creation has been blinded so that none might know the god that is over them all. Becasue of the bondage of forgetfulness, their sins have been hidden. They have been bound with dimensions, times, and seasons, and fate is master of all."
THIS IS INSANE STUFF!
I tend to love to read religious concepts, but this stuff is blowing my mind away . . .
Oh, and if you swear by your "religious dogma" & want to blur it out, I will not consent to believe it, I am only shedding light on a hidden form Christian teachings (hate labels) but nonetheless, I am not preaching and vice versa.

A grand whoops! to everyone...yeah I shouldn't have carelessly said it was a form of Christianity for lack of a better term and knowledge...well interesting thoughts so far...will keep in tune..

Answer 1

I'm glad to hear that you are reading about Gnosticism. It sheds a lot of light on Christianity. Just be careful with your labeling though, Gnosticism is not a form of Christianity, rather, certain Christian sects were Gnostic. The two belief systems blended together. What is interesting about the Gnostic Christians (and other Christian groups for that matter, e.g. the Ebionites) is that they were suppressed by the orthodox party and their legacy died with them (for the most part).

Some will argue that the orthodox party was the majority opinion, but that wasn't always so. Also, had certain Emperors not been in power (particularly the Emperor who reinstated Anthanasius as bishop - Constantius I think, but I can't remember exactly) then Arius and other Gnostic minded Christians would have won 'orthodoxy.' Christianity would look much different now had the Arian Christians succeeded. Anyway, keep reading. Check out Elaine Pagels and Marvin Meyer if you haven't already - they are two of the top Gnostic and Early Christian scholars today.

Answer 2

The Gnostic teachings were banned when the bible was being put together. They believed that Jesus was never a flesh and blood person but a spirit sent to guide people in visions. You will notice that all of the references to him in the Gnostic Gospels are in the form of him appearing to the person as an angel.

Answer 3

Gnosticism means 'knowledge', a Greek word.
"Though sometimes used of false teaching within the period when the NT was written, the word more accurately describes systems of knowledge in opposition to orthodox Christianity in the 2nd and 3rd Centuries. It linked aspects of traditional Christianity with attractive ideas taken from Greek philosophy and Eastern religion, magic and astrology. Its main themes were as follows: The true God is pure spirit and dwells in the realm of pure light, totally separated from this dark world. This world is evil, for it is made of matter, and matter is evil. The true God will have nothing to do with it, for it was created by a lesser god and was a mistake. People in this world are normally made of body and mind, but in a few there is a spark of pure spirit. Such "spiritual" people need to be rescued from this evil world; this there is need for a Saviour. Jesus, who is pure spirit even though He appears to be body and mind, is the Saviour who comes from the true God in light to bring knowledge (gnosis) of the spiritual realm of light. Therefore those who have the spark of spirit can receive the knowledge and be reunited with the true God." --NIV Dictionary of the Bible--

in 1 Timothy 6:20 talks of terms of false gnosis. Gnosticism is NOT a form of Christianity. NOT even close. Many religions take parts of many religions that one likes and agrees with and mixes them all together to make a new religion. Some Christian denomination have done this (Mormonism), Islam (Muhammad mixed Christianity, Judaism and a little Buddha 'enlightment' together). What you've read is a personal thought about a personal interpretation of more than one religion to make a faith that is reasonable unto himself. This is a sin within itself. Throw the book and others like it away. Turn to the Lord only!

Answer 4

With gnosticism, salvation is based on inner knowledge, and not on the perfect all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus to absolve sins. That is the wrong way, people. This kind of nonsense can lead to the "falling away" that is to come first, before the tribulation and the return of Jesus to judge the world. I'm ready for it are you? Keep messing around, and you'll prove the bible to be right, as we all know it is already.

Answer 5

The very essence of Gnosticism is which you come to an expertise of the Divine - besides the undeniable fact which you pick for to define that observe - with the aid of a private dating alongside with your very own actual Self. subsequently, the only actual answer on your question is that there are as many styles of Gnosticism as there are persons, no count if or not those persons actual include Gnosticism. there are various that would answer this question from the point of view of a few "prepared" Gnosticism, besides the undeniable fact that it style of feels to me that actual Gnosticism is by no skill prepared. i actual include the Thelemic view of Gnosticism it is in keeping with one theory: Do what thou wilt could be the completed of the regulation. This looks to me to be the only clever philosophy. each individuals perspectives the international from a different point of view. Even people who include a number of the main prepared of religions and creeds view the international as persons, no person has an identical opinion a hundred% except they thoroughly end thinking for themselves. i wish this facilitates. in case you like greater techniques on the Thelemic worldview, please look on the hyperlinks below. Love is the regulation, love decrease than will.

Answer 6

yes it is a bit insane...

but i do not believe that Gnosticism is a form of Christianity though...

i do know that Agnosticism stemmed from it...
as gnostic is derived from gnosis which means knowledge, & gnostics believe that they are privy to a "secret" knowledge of the divine...
while agnosticism says knowledge must be based on reason and that we cannot claim to have an access to a knowledge that is beyond our intellect...

& the way i understood it Gnosticism predates Christianity...just my thoughts

Answer 7

Yes, I knew that Gnostic consider themselves Christians, I disagree with their views

Answer 8

Actually, Gnosticism predates Christ. It has its roots in Greco- styled Sophism, and attached itself to Christianity in an attempt to survive the next age.

Answer 9

Yes. There was also Jewish Gnosticism and Pagan Gnosticism.

Answer 10

Yes it is, but you will be hard pressed to find many xtians that will agree with you...unless they are Gnostic of course!