Gnosticism

I've had to study the Gnostic movement within the early church and about its modern equivalent a good bit actually, I just rarely use the terminology here being that most would have no idea what I'm talking about. 

Christian Gnosticism, as I understand it, is essentially Greek philosophy merged with Christianity.  The version of the early church (250-400 AD especially) claimed to have a "secret knowledge."  Gnosticism is a complex philosophical system for understanding Christianity that contradicts some essential Christian teachings in favor of promoting its false ideology.

One component of Gnosticism is that all matter, the "flesh," is evil while spiritual things are good.  While there is a component of truth to this (though in no way this simple), they take it to the extreme.  As a result, the physical body of Jesus is denied (because a good God cannot take on evil flesh) and the goal of life is to leave this physical body in favor of a nonphysical, spiritual body. 

Elements of this are still within the church as we so easily forget the fact that Jesus was indeed a human that ate, drank, and joked.  Not only that but the Gnostic-influenced church has completely forgotten about the resurrection of the dead.  All who are saved by the grace of God, not merely by possessing a certain knowledge, will gain new perfect, physical and yet spiritual bodies.

Essentially, the biggest influence I see that Gnosticism (at least, as I understand it) has had on modern Christianity is making heaven the goal.  Heaven is not the goal, God himself is.  Not only that but heaven is not our final destination, the recreated earth will be.  The physical heaven is not to be our permanent dwelling, our recreated and sinless "heavenly" earth will be.

But yes, Foxhound, I do no think highly of this belief as you say many Christians do.  Christian Gnosticism very much would be considered herecy by the vast majority of those within the orthodox church over the last 2000 years.

Isn't that the belief that knowledge is gained through God? That's what I remember and it seems to make sense that it would be the opposite of agnosticism, since the prefix 'a' is removed. That is all that I've heard about it. I've also heard about the Gnostic Gospels which support unorthodox views of Jesus.Genetic_Code

I'd be interested in an exploration of gnosticism in a context that relates to agnosticism too. Perhaps there are two sorts of "gnosticism" - one Christian and the other generalist.

The only thing I know about that word is that it refers to the state where one is when they are either gnostic theists or gnostic atheists.

But from the looks of other posts here I gess thats not what was meant. :P

I know so much about it to the point that I thought this thread was on agnosticism when I saw the title.:lol:.....:|Gambler_3

They both originate from the same word gnosis meaning knowledge.  I cannot think of any other similarities however. :P

The only thing I know about that word is that it refers to the state where one is when they are either gnostic theists or gnostic atheists.

But from the looks of other posts here I gess thats not what was meant. :P

Teenaged

That's what I thought too.