What is gnosticism?

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Gnosticism is difficult to define because their are many philosophers of Gnostic teaching as well as schools of thought. Are you asking about Valentinian, Mandean, or Manichean gnosis? Are you more interested in the teachings of the Gnostic “pope”, Stephen Hoeller? Perhaps you should read books by Elaine Pagels.
 
Did you heard about New Age stuff? It’s probably the closest thing yo mainstream gnosticism today.

Like them, they like to mix concepts from different religions, have a dualistic mindset, and talk about some new revelation or awakening that will change society.
 
thelightoftheworld said:
Hi,
How do you define gnosticism. What do gnostics believe in ? Was this declared a heresy or something like that ?
Thanks !
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The early fathers did consider gnosticism a heresy, but later discoveries found that the term “heresy” dignified it too much. It was found to be an “utterly alien religious philosophy…empty of any real Christianity” (Jurgens).
 
I suggest reading “Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature” by Berger A. Pearson.
 
thelightoftheworld said:
Hi,
How do you define gnosticism. What do gnostics believe in ? Was this declared a heresy or something like that ?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Gnosticism is a loosely organized religious and philosophical movement of disciples of the various pantheistic sects that existed before Christ. The belief is dualistic in that matter was said to be hostile to spirit, and the universe a depravation of the Deity.

“Gnosticism is the invariable element in every major Christian heresy.” states Modern Catholic Dictionary.
 
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St. Augustine wrote alot about gnosticism as well as manichaeism because he was former one. After conversion and rejecting gnosticism he wrote many apologetic works in which he proves falsehood of gnosticism as well as some other beliefs actual for his era but also actual in our time. He wrote about it in “Confessions”, also in “On Free Choice of the Will” and others.
Highly recommending both, never gets old.
 
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Yes, Indeed. My intro to Voegelin. See THE NEW SCIENCE OF POLITICS.
 
Inbonum said:
St. Augustine wrote alot about gnosticism as well as manichaeism because he was former one. After conversion and rejecting gnosticism he wrote many apologetic works in which he proves falsehood of gnosticism as well as some other beliefs actual for his era but also actual in our time. He wrote about it in “ Confessions ”, also in “ On Free Choice of the Will ” and others.
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Thanks, I’ll read that then.
 
In short the difference between Gnosticism and and Christianity is that in Gnosticism we are saved by possessing the secret knowledge while in Christianity our salvation comes from our faith in Jesus Christ and the gratuitous gift of His salvation.
 
I once read that what united Gnostics was that they despised everything material and only wanted spiritual- some believed that they are souls “trapped” in a body.

St. Augustine was Gnostic once, because he liked that, unlike Catholic Church, Gnostics did not require you to believe in any dogmas and you could simply search for truth yourself (though usually in their way and through their understanding anyway). He later converted to Catholicism and denounced Gnostics. Read up on him if you’re interested.
 
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