Everything Everywhere Daily Gnosticism
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Jan 11, 2025 Delve into the intriguing world of Gnosticism, a unique Christian sect from the first and second centuries. Discover their pursuit of secret knowledge and the striking differences from orthodox beliefs. Learn about the complex interplay between Gnosticism and early Christianity, especially through the revelations of the Nag Hammadi texts. Explore the dualistic worldview and the concept of the Demiurge that defined Gnostic thought. Uncover the moral implications and critiques they faced from early Christian leaders, painting a vivid picture of this fascinating belief system.
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Gnosticism: A Complex Movement
- Gnosticism, prominent in the 1st and 2nd centuries, was a diverse movement intertwined with early Christian, Jewish, and Greco-Roman thought.
- It's difficult to define due to its varied beliefs and the fact that historical accounts primarily come from its critics.
Gnostic Cosmology and Salvation
- Gnostics believed in dualism, a cosmic battle between spirit (good) and matter (evil), with the material world seen as flawed or a trap.
- Salvation, they thought, came from secret knowledge (gnosis) of the divine spark within humans, not faith or grace.
Historical Accounts of Gnosticism
- Much of what we know about Gnostics comes from critics like Irenaeus of Lyons, whose "Against Heresies" refuted Gnostic doctrines.
- Other critics include Tertullian, Hippolytus of Rome, and Origen of Alexandria, who all challenged Gnostic beliefs.