What is Christian Gnosticism? - GotQuestions. org There is actually no such thing as Christian Gnosticism, because true Christianity and Gnosticism are mutually exclusive systems of belief The principles of Gnosticism contradict what it means to be a Christian Therefore, while some forms of Gnosticism may claim to be Christian, they are in fact decidedly non-Christian Gnosticism was perhaps the most dangerous heresy that threatened the
What is the definition of the term Gnostic? | GotQuestions. org The definition of the word Gnostic is about as easy to nail down as a flopping fish It is derived from the Greek word gnosis, meaning “to know ” In the case of Gnosticism, what is “known” has shifted over the thousands of years since Gnosticism first reared its head during the formation and solidification of the early church
What are the Gnostic gospels? - GotQuestions. org The Gnostic gospels are writings by early "Christian" Gnostics After the first century of Christianity, two primary divisions developed - the orthodox and the Gnostics The orthodox Christians held to books we now have in the Bible and to what is today considered orthodox theology
What is the Apocalypse of Adam? | GotQuestions. org The Apocalypse of Adam is an ancient Gnostic text, likely composed between AD 50 and 150 It is part of the Nag Hammadi Library, a collection of early Christian and Gnostic writings unearthed in Egypt in 1945
What is the Gospel of Thomas? - GotQuestions. org The Gospel of Thomas is a Gnostic gospel, espousing a Gnostic viewpoint of Christianity The Gospel of Thomas is simply a heretical forgery, much the same as the Gospel of Judas, the Gospel of Mary, and the Gospel of Philip
What is the Pistis Sophia? - GotQuestions. org The Pistis Sophia and the Gnostic gospels are writings by early “Christian” Gnostics, who espoused heretical beliefs couched in Christian language During the first few centuries AD, Gnosticism became an influential movement, teaching that anything physical is inherently evil and anything spiritual is inherently good
What is the Nag Hammadi library? - GotQuestions. org According to the conspiracy theory, the early Christians tried to destroy these Gnostic writings because they contained secret teachings about Jesus and Christianity The Nag Hammadi library was supposedly the result of faithful efforts of Gnostic monks to save the truth about Jesus Christ from the persecution of non-Gnostic Christians
Who was Valentinus? What was Valentinianism? - GotQuestions. org Valentinus (AD 100—160) was an early Gnostic theologian Valentinus was born in Phrebonis, Egypt, but moved to Alexandria as a child He was given a Greek education and supposedly became a student of Theudas, who had studied with the apostle Paul History says Valentinus became an eloquent, well-known teacher in Rome
What is the Pleroma? | GotQuestions. org Gnostics also hope to be able to experience the Pleroma themselves as they progress in Gnostic teaching In the New Testament, the pleroma is the fullness of God, the complete set of divine attributes that were incarnated in Christ Christ is fully God and fully man and will forever inhabit a glorified human body
What is the Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)? | GotQuestions. org Similar to the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Judas, the Gospel of Mary is a Gnostic forgery, using the name of a biblical character in an attempt to give validity to heretical teachings The only value in studying the Gospel of Mary is in learning what heresies existed in the early centuries of the Christian church