I understand that gnosticism was a very popular movement in the early Church that basicly tought that all matter is evil and all spirit is good. From this central teaching stemed another unbiblical view that you could only attain salvation through a "special knowledge" (instead of faith in Jesus Christ).
Does anyone know what that "special knowledge" was? Not that I want to attain this "special knowledge". I'm just courious if it was a big secret or what.
Gnosticism
Gnosticism
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Lotta Luv,
john b
john b
In my reading of gnostic writers of the second century, I have not encountered the phrase "special knowledge". They wrote a lot about of "knowledge"(gnosis) and about the gnostic (one who knows). It seems to be that their understanding of salvation was based on this knowledge.
This "knowledge" included the concept that all material is useless, and should be ignored, including the human body. It was created by Yahweh, the God of the Jews, who, in his arrogance, thought He was the Supreme Being, but was mistaken. Rather, he was merely a local god, like the gods of the other nations. The real Supreme Being was the Father of Christ, a purely spiritual being. Whe we divest ourselves of this fleshly robe, and become purely spiritual, then salvation takes place. When we die, we go directly to heaven, if we are good gnostics. That movement of the spirit to heaven is the resurrection. The flesh will not be resurrected. The main church said, "First comes death, and then the resurrection". The gnostic says that this is backwards. He says, "First comes the resurrection, and then death". By this, the gnostic seems to mean that when we are fully raised from this material life to pure spiritual life, we will die physically, for the body will have nothing to sustain it.
As to salvation, some gnostics believed that since they had become of a purely spiritual nature, they are thus saved and can do what they wish.
It reminds us of the "easy-believism" teaching of our own day.
Underlining for emphasis in the following quotes concerning gnostic belief, is mine.
Hippolytus, in his Refutation of all Heresies, wrote:
“For (they would have us believe) that they are not overcome by the supposed vice, for that they have been redeemed…….and that they do whatsoever they please, as persons free; for they allege that they are saved by grace. For that there is no reason for punishment, even though one shall act wickedly; for such a one is not wicked by nature, but by enactment.”
Hippolytus, The Refutation of all Heresies, Book 6, Chap. 14.
Clement of Alexandria wrote:
“These quotations I have adduced in reproof of the Basilidians [Gnostics], who do not live rightly, either as having authority to sin because of their perfection, or as being altogether assured by nature of future salvation, although they sin now, because they are by dignity of nature the elect.”
Clement Strom. III. i.
Do the gnostic teaching as desribed here sound familiar?
This "knowledge" included the concept that all material is useless, and should be ignored, including the human body. It was created by Yahweh, the God of the Jews, who, in his arrogance, thought He was the Supreme Being, but was mistaken. Rather, he was merely a local god, like the gods of the other nations. The real Supreme Being was the Father of Christ, a purely spiritual being. Whe we divest ourselves of this fleshly robe, and become purely spiritual, then salvation takes place. When we die, we go directly to heaven, if we are good gnostics. That movement of the spirit to heaven is the resurrection. The flesh will not be resurrected. The main church said, "First comes death, and then the resurrection". The gnostic says that this is backwards. He says, "First comes the resurrection, and then death". By this, the gnostic seems to mean that when we are fully raised from this material life to pure spiritual life, we will die physically, for the body will have nothing to sustain it.
As to salvation, some gnostics believed that since they had become of a purely spiritual nature, they are thus saved and can do what they wish.
It reminds us of the "easy-believism" teaching of our own day.
Underlining for emphasis in the following quotes concerning gnostic belief, is mine.
Hippolytus, in his Refutation of all Heresies, wrote:
“For (they would have us believe) that they are not overcome by the supposed vice, for that they have been redeemed…….and that they do whatsoever they please, as persons free; for they allege that they are saved by grace. For that there is no reason for punishment, even though one shall act wickedly; for such a one is not wicked by nature, but by enactment.”
Hippolytus, The Refutation of all Heresies, Book 6, Chap. 14.
Clement of Alexandria wrote:
“These quotations I have adduced in reproof of the Basilidians [Gnostics], who do not live rightly, either as having authority to sin because of their perfection, or as being altogether assured by nature of future salvation, although they sin now, because they are by dignity of nature the elect.”
Clement Strom. III. i.
Do the gnostic teaching as desribed here sound familiar?
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Paidion
Avatar --- Age 45
"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald
Avatar --- Age 45
"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald
Paidion,
Wow. You sound well read in this area.
So let me make sure I understand this correctly (I'm known to be alittle slow...
). This "knowledge" that a gnostic understands is basically thier view of salvation, God etc.?
Also you said :
Wow. You sound well read in this area.
So let me make sure I understand this correctly (I'm known to be alittle slow...
). This "knowledge" that a gnostic understands is basically thier view of salvation, God etc.?Also you said :
Does this mean some gnostics rely on works for salvation as opposed to the spirit leaving the body?When we die, we go directly to heaven, if we are good gnostics.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Lotta Luv,
john b
john b
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Does this mean some gnostics rely on works for salvation as opposed to the spirit leaving the body?
I think it's sort of the opposite like the flesh is either useless or evil so you might as well indulge it in orgy's and any sexual gratification you can find.
And i think gnosticism stresses more a secret knowledge then anything. It sounds like witchcraft or black magic.
I think it's sort of the opposite like the flesh is either useless or evil so you might as well indulge it in orgy's and any sexual gratification you can find.
And i think gnosticism stresses more a secret knowledge then anything. It sounds like witchcraft or black magic.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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