What do the Gnostics believe?

Gnosticism is the belief that human beings contain a piece of God (the highest good or a divine spark) within themselves, which has fallen from the immaterial world into the bodies of humans. All physical matter is subject to decay, rotting, and death.

What’s the difference between agnostic and Gnostic?

Gnostic vs Agnostic The difference between gnostic and agnostic is that a gnostic person accepts the existence of a supreme ethereal power or God, while an agnostic person believes that the existence of God can neither be proved nor disproved.

What does Gnostic mean in the Bible?

The term Gnosticism is derived from the Greek word gnosis, meaning “to know” or “knowledge.” This knowledge is not intellectual but mythical and comes through a special revelation by Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, or through his apostles. The secret knowledge reveals the key to salvation.

Who created Gnosticism?

Henry More
The designation gnosticism is a term of modern scholarship. It was first used by the English poet and philosopher of religion Henry More (1614–87), who applied it to the religious groups referred to in ancient sources as gnostikoi (Greek: “those who have gnosis, or ‘knowledge’ ”).

What is the meaning of the word Gnostic?

Updated September 11, 2018. Gnosticism was a second-century heresy claiming that salvation could be gained through secret knowledge. Gnosticism is derived from the Greek word gnosis, meaning “to know” or “knowledge.”.

Who was the founder of the Gnostic religion?

Updated September 14, 2019. Gnosticism (pronounced NOS tuh siz um) was a second-century religious movement claiming that salvation could be gained through a special form of secret knowledge. Early Christian church fathers such as Origen, Tertullian, Justin Martyr and Eusebius of Caesarea condemned gnostic teachers and beliefs as heretical.

Why was Gnosticism dangerous to the early church?

Gnosticism was perhaps the most dangerous heresy that threatened the early church during the first three centuries. Influenced by such philosophers as Plato, Gnosticism is based on two false premises. First, it espouses a dualism regarding spirit and matter.

Which is esoteric knowledge held by the Gnostics?

: esoteric knowledge of spiritual truth held by the ancient Gnostics to be essential to salvation.