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Post by xpistissopheiax on Feb 11, 2014 23:17:22 GMT -5
I don't expect anyone to have a specific answer but I am just curious. If The Gospel of John may be one of the first Gnostic or proto-Gnostic texts I'm curious as to which text might have been the first to mention "Gnosis" in the way we think of it.
If I understand correctly it seems like their was a split in Judaism, that carried over to early Christianity over whether or not YHWH was God or not. Several of the Nag Hammadi texts seem to place a great importance on this rejection of YHWH. So I guess I'm curious as to where the teaching of Gnosis originated and how it was integrated to the rejection of YHWH and therefore rejected by orthodox thought.
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Post by Soulgazer on Feb 12, 2014 1:31:33 GMT -5
I don't expect anyone to have a specific answer but I am just curious. If The Gospel of John may be one of the first Gnostic or proto-Gnostic texts I'm curious as to which text might have been the first to mention "Gnosis" in the way we think of it. If I understand correctly it seems like their was a split in Judaism, that carried over to early Christianity over whether or not YHWH was God or not. Several of the Nag Hammadi texts seem to place a great importance on this rejection of YHWH. So I guess I'm curious as to where the teaching of Gnosis originated and how it was integrated to the rejection of YHWH and therefore rejected by orthodox thought. I'm not really sure on the time frame, but the specific usage of the word "Gnosis" can be found in the Mandaen text; I would guess that it was reactionary to the devloping catholicism though. |
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Post by xpistissopheiax on Feb 12, 2014 2:06:50 GMT -5
A reaction to "blood atonement?"
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Post by Soulgazer on Feb 12, 2014 8:20:18 GMT -5
A reaction to "blood atonement?" It very well could be. I am using the working theory that the Mandaen were a subsect of Judaism, as they claimed to be followers of John the Baptist. |
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Post by xpistissopheiax on Feb 12, 2014 10:47:18 GMT -5
That seems very logical, and a very good explanation as why the teachings of Gnosis and the demi-urge were tied together, and also rejected together.
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Post by phantasman on Feb 26, 2014 10:30:23 GMT -5
That seems very logical, and a very good explanation as why the teachings of Gnosis and the demi-urge were tied together, and also rejected together. From what I am starting to realize, the way the Bible was constructed, it gives the image of setting up a government on earth that follows. Through Gnosis we see that Christ actually taught that this so called government already exists in spirit, and how to be part of it. I believe the common church has fallen into a best of both worlds category by seeing the physical hierarchy with spiritual connotations. Hating one and loving the other, seems to be redefined as an acceptance. I believe the "freedom" Christ told us we would attain, is freedom from the world. I also believe this can only be accomplished through knowledge. With knowledge (Gnosis), we know our enemy and see it. Without Gnosis, we can be led by the enemy, as we are ignorant of it. The writers of Philip saw this early on: That is why the Word says, "Already the axe is laid at the root of the trees" (Mt 3:10). It will not merely cut - what is cut sprouts again - but the ax penetrates deeply, until it brings up the root. Jesus pulled out the root of the whole place, while others did it only partially. As for ourselves, let each one of us dig down after the root of evil which is within one, and let one pluck it out of one's heart from the root. It will be plucked out if we recognize it. But if we are ignorant of it, it takes root in us and produces its fruit in our heart. It masters us. We are its slaves. It takes us captive, to make us do what we do not want; and what we do want, we do not do. It is powerful because we have not recognized it. While it exists it is active. Ignorance is the mother of all evil. Ignorance will result in death, because those who come from ignorance neither were nor are nor shall be. [...] will be perfect when all the truth is revealed. For truth is like ignorance: while it is hidden, it rests in itself, but when it is revealed and is recognized, it is praised, inasmuch as it is stronger than ignorance and error. It gives freedom. The Word said, "If you know the truth, the truth will make you free" (Jn 8:32). Ignorance is a slave. Knowledge is freedom. If we know the truth, we shall find the fruits of the truth within us. If we are joined to it, it will bring our fulfillment.-
-Philip |
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