Bible Question: What is the "Gnostic" view of Christ? What is "Gnosticism"? |
Bible Answer: Gnosticism is a diverse religious and theosophical movement of the first three centuries AD. The name derives from the means of salvation: the Gnostic is saved through a special knowledge (Gk. gnosis). The central Gnostic doctrine is the ontological dualism between the supreme, ineffable God of love and the material world, considered evil or at best, indifferent. Between God and matter lie a host of spiritual powers, collectively termed the fullness of God. From its lowest rank comes the creator, a demiurge identified with the OT Yahweh. Fallen spiritual powers, often linked with astral referents, now rule the world. The focus of Gnostic redemption is not on God but ultimately upon the individual's self- understanding and the resulting freedom it provides. It declined rapidly in the 3rd century as Christianity countered with apologetic attacks as well as systematic biblical and theological work. Paul dealt with a culture already familiar with some elements of the Gnostic synthesis. An example is the opponents at Corinth "puffed up" with knowledge (1Cor 8:1). In 1Tim the author censures self-proclaimed teachers of the law (6:4) who teach a false gnosis (v. 20). |