The term Gnostic comes from the Greek word gnosis, which means knowledge. The belief is that redemption or freedom for the soul is derived from knowledge, rather than faith.
Gnosticism
Although not known for sure, Gnostic roots are often associated with Simon Magus, a miracle worker who was kicked out of the church. Gnosticism was quite popular in the Mediterranean area during the second century.
As Christianity grew, Gnosticism began its decline. Gnostics were viewed as heretics and sorcerers. While Gnostics believed in dualism and found that both males and females should be equally honored, the Christian church frowned upon this concept, since their belief was that there is only one God and that God is male.
Followers of Gnosticism were greatly persecuted and in countries such as Persia, even put to death. Christian scholars, including Hippolytus and Irenaeus, wrote against them. Early Gnostic teachings including prayers and spells were destroyed. By the late Middle Ages, Gnostic sects were all but gone.
Gnostics
To the outside world, it appeared as if Christianity had won out and rid the planet of this mystical religion. However, in France, different esoteric orders such as Kabbalists, Freemasons and Rosicrucians kept the faith going. Out of the public eye, any further interest in the Gnostic faith basically disappeared.
New life was breathed into the Gnostic faith when ancient Gnostic manuscripts were discovered in the 1900s. Known as the Dead Sea Scrolls and Nag Hammadi Library, these historic writings contained information previously thought to be lost forever.
The Dead Sea Scrolls provided the oldest manuscripts of the Old Testament ever found. The discovery of the Nag Hammadi brought forth previously unknown Gospels including the Gospel of Thomas and the controversial Gospel of Philip, that some claim offers evidence that Jesus and Mary Magdalene shared a romantic relationship and were possibly even married.
Gnostic Churches
Throughout the 1900s, between the interest in the Dead Sea Scrolls and research by such individuals as Carl Jung and historian Kurt Rudolph, Gnosticism began to revive. Today, people can freely attend Gnostic places of worship.
One of the better-known Gnostic churches is that of Novus Spiritus. Founded in 1986 by psychic Sylvia Browne, Novus Spiritus is a Christian Gnostic church dedicated to knowledge and discovery. Further information can be found in the article Novus Spiritus.
The ancient Gnostic faith had all but disappeared until the 1900s. With renewed interest, Gnosticism began to grow once again. As always, the main idea behind Gnostic beliefs is to seek knowledge and the truth.
Readers may also enjoy Gnostic Texts and the Gospel of Phillip – Was Jesus Married?
Sources:
- Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, (HarperSanFrancisco,) 1991
- The Encyclopedia of the Occult, Lewis Spence, (Bracken Books,) 1988
Janis Masyk-Jackson - I'm here to seek out the truth about some of life's mysteries. There is nothing new about New Age beliefs. These are beliefs that have ...
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