Does anyone consider themselves Gnostic? If so do you claim to be Christian or pagan? Or both?

Question

Just wondering.

I don't know how people claim both eiter but many do, just like some claim Christian Wicca. I don't see how it is possible for like you say the two are directly oppossed to the other.

I have been on pagan yahoo groups where some claim to be gnostic christians but relate more to pagans.

But isn't there certain gnostic beliefs? I do know they were not united like the Christians but they did have certain "knowledge" didn't they?

Wenteast That is the same thing I was taught about the gnostics when I was a Christian, but my pagan path has revealed that there are people today who consider themselves ghostics and that is who I really want to hear from. I know the view taught in churches whic from my libited experiences with thoese who claim gnostism is pretty much wrong. One of Paulswritings was supposdely to combat gnostic beliefs but remember the bible we have today was a result of the counsil of Nicea around 336 C.E..

Dust- it is different the gnostics held a certain knowledge. The Greek word Gnosis means knowledge. I was taught in churches that the gnostics claimed special divine knowledge from God.

Supposedly they had many factions one faction thought everything was evil and why Paul warned of those who said do not touch do not taste etc while others felt anything was game, I am not looking for the modern Christian view on ancient gnostics but the view of those today who claim to be gnostics.

Thanks to all for answering I am getting some very intersting replies however I am still looking for someone who claims to be gnostic today.

Answer 1

Rider,
I am a Christian with an interest in spiritual matters and I find this question interesting. I am placing a star beside it so that I will be able to access the answers later. Have a wonderful Holiday and tell your wife that I said to do so.
Thanks,
Eds

PS... Keep in touch!
.
EDIT:
Metaphysician
The Christians were first called this at Antioch according to the scriptures (Acts 11:26).


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Answer 2

No, I myself don't. While a desire to discredit the New Testament has revived an interest in Gnostic writings (obviously my spin on the subject), I don't know of anyone who actually believes in Gnosticism.

Gnostics came in many types -- but the core bases of their beliefs were a) all matter is evil, and only spirit can be good (so they reject the idea that God could have taken on flesh, and that Jesus was crucified and physically resurrected -- core Christian beliefs; also as they found themselves trapped in "evil" bodies, they had all kinds of interesting and repugnant ways of trying to sanctify the body & its functions; also women were inferior and had to essentially become men at conversion, at least on a spiritual level); b) there were two gods -- the "Demi-urge" and the God that Jesus revealed (i.e. an Old and New Testament God); c) their rituals were largely secret, as the "knowledge", from where "gnostic" comes from, could only be imparted to the worthy.

I don't know how someone could consider themselves both Christian and pagan, as the two are pretty much antithetical.

The book of First John was written largely to combat erroneous gnostic teachings. You can learn a lot about gnosticism by reading it, and seeing what John's main points were.

Interesting question, though!

Follow up: Well, they may consider themselves gnostics - Elaine Pagels and others have made it a cool, counterculture thing to be, or so some think -- but what I wrote is what first century gnostics actually believed. Yes, Paul addressed some gnostic teachings (you cite one, correctly), and just because the Bible was confirmed to be what it is today doesn't mean that prior to the Council these same Scriptures weren't in virtually exclusive use all throughout the Christian population, and for a long time.

Good luck on finding a real gnostic :)

Answer 3

Gnostics in a broader sense believe that you can only gain knowledge about god through direct experience. That is in line with many neopagan teachings. However, the evidence for a link between Christ and the Essenes, a gnostic sect, is pretty convincing. Surely gnostic ideas were part of Christ's teachings, and the Red Sea Scrolls show that the gnostics certainly paid close attention to his words.

It will all depend on what the person thinks the essence of christianity is. If following Christ is what matters, then it is easy to see how someone could consider themselves gnostic and christian. If accepting the bible as revealed knowledge, it is still possible, although it is a bit at odds with the gnostic idea. But I am pretty sure that gnostics could never accept a priesthood with a special relation to god, so if they see that as an essential part of christianity, they couldn't consider themselves christian.

Answer 4

Gnostic in the sense that I understand the message that Jesus passed on to His disciples in the gnostic gospels. Not in the sense of being a part of any group like christian or pagan.

Answer 5

I am currently interested in stydying gonsticm & think gnostics is related to Chrostinaity. Jesus was a gnostic & it was prevalent before Christianity, it is not a form of Christinaity I don't think, it is the essence & true form of a Christian...

Answer 6

Wiccan Rider, there are at least one (maybe two) people on R&S who specifically identify themselves as Gnostic Christians, but I can't remember their avatars. Perhaps if you post again at a different time of day they'll be on here.

Good luck with your search!

Answer 7

"You will know the truth, and the TRUTH will set you free." When Jesus spoke those words, I feel that he was speaking about a certain kind of knowledge.

I suspect that the Gnostics were all about that kind of knowledge. So in the sense that Jesus supported the "light of life" and criticized this idea of blood for sin... in that sense, I might find some common ground with the Gnostics.

If you base your Bible interpretaton on what Jesus was preaching, rather than the popular Pauline Gospel we hear these days, then LIGHT and KNOWLEDGE will come out on top... and blood for sin will be on the bottom.

Jesus actually criticized this blood for sin... "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice." Matt. 9:13... so I don't have anything against those who favor knowledge over blood sacrifice.

Answer 8

does gnostic mean agnostic or is completely different? I have heard this word a lot lately, but never before that.

Answer 9

The Gnostic's were the first followers of Jesus after his death, to have the Gnos means to have true knowledge of his existence. I am not a christian but I found Jesus in the gospels of Thomas, by the true words that he spoke! I had a Mystic experience that led me to him Read my web site "TheAsender" on line.

Answer 10

I don't believe you will find any gnu's on this web, they are just too high up. Of you know they would put themselves on a higher plain if any of us would say we thought just as they did, but said we Christian or something in that manner.

good luck!

Hi Ed's