Christian History Home > Issue 96 > Gnosticism Unmasked
Gnosticism Unmasked
by D. Jeffrey Bingham | posted 6/30/2008 12:36PM
The label "Gnosticism" is a fuzzy one, describing diverse sects and ideas in the ancient world. This chart summarizes those elements within various Gnostic groups that the majority of Christians found especially troublesome. A particular Gnostic sect would not necessarily have held all of the following beliefs.
GNOSTIC VIEW
GOD - There are two opposing Gods: the supreme, spiritual, unknown Father who is distant from the world and revealed only by Christ; and the subordinate, ignorant, and evil creator of the world (Demiurge).
WORLD - The material world crafted by the Demiurge is evil and keeps the spiritual ones from perfection. It must perish and be escaped.
HUMANITY - The Gnostics are by nature the elite, spiritual ones, for they have the "seed" of the spiritual realm inside them. This divine spark (the spirit) is trapped within the material, fleshly body and yearns for release from this evil dungeon.
SALVATION Only the immortal spirit of the Gnostic is saved as it gains release from material ... To view this item, you must be a member of ChristianHistory.net.
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