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What is Gnosticism and how did it influence the formation of early Christianity?
Merganser
Gnosticism: the thought and practice especially of various cults of late pre-Christian and early Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis
from Merriam-Webster dictionary
Gnosis can be thought of as a personal experience of God, Christ, and the truth. It transcends obedience to laws and external definitions of spiritual wisdom.
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∙ 15y ago
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Was Gnosticism was an early form of Christianity?
The common belief is that Gnosticism originated as a branch of Christianity. There are some theories that claim the central ideas of Gnosticism existed before the birth of Christ. These ideas, of a dualistic religion (two Gods), still prevail today in modern Christianity with the teachings of one supremely good God of Heaven and one sinful, loathsome God of Hell.
What do Christians say about gnosticism in the first five centuries?
Most Christians reject Gnosticism because it denies that Jesus was God incarnate and therefore the atonement of sins is not effective. It is regarded as heresy or independent of Christianity. Some have postulated that 1 John addressed errors arising from Gnostic beliefs.
What is the oldest denomination?
The oldest denomination of Christianity is generally considered to be the Eastern Orthodox Church. It traces its roots back to the early days of Christianity in the Eastern Roman Empire, with its formal establishment in the 4th century.
Who is irenaeus and what were his ideas?
Irenaeus was an early Christian theologian who lived in the 2nd century. He is known for his defense of orthodox Christianity against various heresies, particularly Gnosticism. Irenaeus emphasized the importance of apostolic tradition and the unity of the Church in combating false teachings.
What success did the early church have against gnosticism?
A:The relative strengths of the two main branches of Christianity in the early years is uncertain. One of the earliest known gospel, the Gospel of Thomas, is a mildly gnostic work and seems to have been written in the middle of the first century. Many scholars also see evidence of gnosticism in Paul's thinking. So, gnosticism probably had a much earlier beginning than was once thought. During its peak, in the second and third centuries, gnosticism may have encompassed as much as half of all Christians. In the early fourth century, when Emperor Constantine required restitution to the Christian Church for property appropriated by the temples, he intended this to apply only to the Catholic-Orthodox branch and not to the Gnostics. When he granted privileges and patronage to the Christian Church, this was granted only to the Catholic-Orthodox church, while the gnostics suffered discrimination and persecution. Throughout the fourth century, gnosticism sufferred a continuing decline that had probably already begun before Constantine. When Theodosius declared Christianity the state religion of empire in 381, he stated this applied to Christianity "as taught by the bishops of Rome and Alexandria." Gnosticism was thereby illegal.At its peak, Gnosticism was a powerful force in Christianity. When Armenia adopted gnostic Christianity, it had become the first wholly Christian kingdom in history. By the fifth century, remnants of the once great faith were restricted to the edges of the eastern empire. Gnostic tests were burnt, along with pagan ones. The discovery of the Nag Hammadi scriptures, hidden in jars, is evidence that a successful pogrom had been conducted against gnosticism.A later resurgence saw the Cathars, followers of a gnostic faith, occupy southern France and parts of Spain. However, a Catholic crusade and the Inquisition saw this last bastion destroyed.
What is the original type of Christianity?
A:In the earliest days of Christianity, we did not have Roman Catholics, Orthodox or Protestants. We did have the forerunner of all these, which can if you wish be called 'Christianity', but which many scholars prefer to call 'Catholic-Orthodox'. This was one branch of Christianity, but there was another branch that is now known as Gnostic Christianity. Gnosticism never seems to have been unified and Gnostics did not even spend much effort on achieving unity, seeing diversity as a means of achieving the ultimate truth.The earliest firm evidence we have for the presence of Gnosticism is the Gospel of Thomas, which many scholars believe was written at least as early as the Gospel of Mark, the oldest gospel in the New Testament. Paul's epistles show some evidence of gnosticism, and some scholars believe his teachings might have been closer to the Gnostics than to what were to become the more dominant Catholic-Orthodox.We can never be sure what form of Christianity predated Paul, and the Gospels of Thomas and Mark. Burton L. Mack (Who Wrote the New Testament) suggests an early 'Christ cult', identifiably different from another 'Jesus movement'. On his view, these proto-Christianities merged, before once again splitting into the Gnostic and Catholic-Orthodox movements. On the other hand, John Dominic Crossan (The Birth of Christianity) sees a centrist Common Sayings Tradition from which gnostic thought split in one direction and the New Testament tradition in another.We do know from the epistles and from the gospels that early Christianity was characterised by rivalries, schisms and quite divergent teachings. Writers wrote in derogatory terms of their rivals as false apostles and the like. After the time of Emperor Constantine, one form of Christianity seems to have become dominant - the Catholic-Orthodox tradition, with Gnosticism given no state support. Even then, the Church was split between the followers of Arian and those who opposed his teachings. By the end of the fourth century, Gnosticism and Arianism were made illegal, along with all other heretical and non-Christian teachings. However, Gnosticism continued for several centuries in the more remote reaches of the eastern part of the empire, reemerging in modified form as Catharism in southern France around the end of the millennium.
When was Society for the Study of Early Christianity created?
Society for the Study of Early Christianity was created in 1987.
Where is Gnosticism practiced now?
Gnostocism flourished during the early years of Christianity and, in the view of some scholars, may have accounted for around half the Christian population. What was to become the dominant branch of Christianity, Catholic-Orthodox, persecuted Gnosticism out of existence in western Europe, although it continued in eastern Europe. The Cathars were a sect with strong Gnostic influences that re-established a presence in southern France in the twelfth century, but was once again eliminated by the Catholic Inquisition. Modern Cathars claim to be survivors of that purge and to maintain original Cathar beliefs. The Rosicrucians are a legendary and secretive order that appears to have been founded in the 15th century, the 17th century or perhaps the 18th century. While it probably can not be described as genuinely Gnostic, it does claim some Gnostic influence.
Was the spread of Christianity unique or part of a wider trend?
A:Just as the Axial Age had seen the rise of several new religions and philosophies, some centuries earlier, so the period in which Christianity arose was a time of new religious thought, if not as momentous as the Axial Age. Mithraism arose during the first century BCE and for a time was a serious competitor to Christianity. Mithraism's great weakness was that it ignored women, whereas Christianity sought their support, knowing the influence they would have on their husbands and children. New pagan cults arose, as Greek worshippers became influenced by the ancient Egyptian gods.This was also a time when 'mystery religions' flourished. The important place that Gnosticism occupied in early Christianity has led some to speculate that Christianity actually began as a mystery religion, long before it adopted the gospel story of Jesus.
Was reincarnation taught by the early Christians?
As far as I know, The true early christians never taught Reincarnation. As you probably well know, Christianity came from Judaism. Judaism never taught reincarnation. Reincarnation is primaraly a Pagan, that is either a religion that is not an abrahamic religion (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) or a religion that worships many gods, concept. Misguided early christians, may have incorporated reincarnation into their aldulturated form of Christianity. However, they were clearly not influential enough to influence mainstream Christianity. either that, or they saw the truth, in my opinion.
Is gnosticism a sect or cult?
In early Christian times, Christianity was highly fragmented. Gradually, two main branches developed - what is now called the proto-Catholic-Orthodox branch and the Gnostic branch. Gnosticism, by its very nature, coulkd never become united under one set of beliefs, and never had a strong, disciplined hierarchy. Because of this, Constantine saw Gnosticism as of no benefit to the governance of the empire, and merely undermining the unity of Christianity. Thus, the Gnostics did not receive state patronage and their beliefs were strongly discouraged. The Catholic-Orthodox branch of Christianity developed into the Christian Church we know today.Prior to the time of Constantine it may not have been evident that the Catholic-Orthodox branch would succed over Gnosticism. For that reason, it could be misleading to refer to Gnosticism as a cult. Because there was no single Gnostic Church, it would not have been a sect (school) of Christianity, but could perhaps be referred to a a group of sects.AnswerGnosticism and the beliefs arising from it are cults. AnswerSome claim that Gnosticism is a cult, yet a cult by definition is a set of collectivist views shared by all members. Gnostics are INDIVIDUALISTS. An Individualist can not be a cult member because it conflicts with the definition of a cult. I suggest you do a little more research before you label the Gnostic beliefs as a cult. Remember, they were put to death because the essentially "knew too much" and questioned the tyrannical power of the catholic church so they were exterminated. They believed that God encompassed all things and the path to God was within yourself. Like I said INDIVIDUALISTS not cult or collectivists. Just because someone has opposing beliefs to you does not make them a cult
What are Gnostics?
To quote the American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of 'gnostic' is:---1. gnostic Of, relating to, or possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge.2. Of or relating to Gnosticism.n. A believer in Gnosticism.---The origins of the word are found in the Greek 'gnosis'which refers to the spiritual knowledge of an enlightened human being.It is from a focus on gnosis that the religious movement known as Gnosticism hails; the followers of which are called Gnostics.http://www.samaelgnosis.us/
