Gnosticism

Photo by zugaldia via Flickr

Gnosticism was an early Christian heresy containing many ideas previously existing in different forms and places within the ancient world. These unorthodox beliefs are mentioned in the New Testament by St. Paul, and were more systematically condemned by the Christian Church from the 2nd-century onward.

The Greek word gnosis means “knowledge.” In the context of gnosticism this isn’t bookish but experiential knowledge, supposedly of the divine.

Most gnostics believed that they fully understood the interconnected workings of the heavens, earth and hell and how this related to cosmic redemption. The gnostics’ chief aim was to gain spiritual knowledge and, in effect, become one with the Christ entity.

Some sects claimed that Christ did not die on the cross. Others envisioned him as a cosmic principle that incarnated to raise the world of matter to a higher level of love, awareness and compassion.

Among 49 Gnostic texts and versions of texts that have been unearthed in the early to mid-20th century, each claims to present the final truth about Christ and the nature of the cosmos. But ironically enough, these alleged truths differ considerably among Gnostic sects.

Possibly influenced by Manichaeism, Platonic and even Egyptian lore, Gnostic theories about ultimate reality are often intricate and esoteric. Only apparently ‘special’ people can understand and access elusive Gnostic truths.

Gospel of Thomas or maybe gnostic Gospel of Peter (see talk page) via Wikipedia

By way of contrast, the New Testament is more concerned with universal salvation and less with complicated cosmological theories. Heaven is described in parables. No real attempt is made to ‘say it like it is,’ mainly because God’s creation is portrayed as far too great to be reduced to any human theory.

Hence, the New Testament’s clear and undoubtedly universal invitation: “Knock and the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9).

Gnosticism was effectively silenced by the Church Fathers but resurfaced in the Middle ages within Jewish mysticism. And the Gnostic idea of ‘knowing from direct experience’ flourishes today.

Religious studies scholars such as Wayne Meeks say that Gnosticism was particularly threatening to the early Church precisely because it had much in common with orthodox belief. Both say “You are gods” (Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34). And the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, which some say was written by a twin brother of Jesus, contains sayings of Christ that coincide with those in the New Testament. Other points do differ, however, and virtually no events in the life of Christ are recorded in Thomas.

On the issue of the apparent exclusivity of Gnosticism in contrast to orthodox Christianity, some might say this difference is arguably one of degree. Not a few Christian mystical saints have been regarded as persons more loved by or special to God than, say, the rest of the clergy. Claims like this run throughout, for instance, The Divine Mercy Diary of Saint Kowalska.

More recently, Gnosticism is generally used to denote any kind of spirituality that involves relaxation, meditation or contemplation. The photo featured in this entry, for instance, has the tag line “Practicing zen gnosticism.”

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Manichaeism

Mani: Image via Wikipedia

Manichaeism was a religious movement founded by the third-century prophet Mani (216-276 CE).

With wisdom allegedly based on angelic revelations, Mani proclaimed himself to be the last in a line of great prophets: Zoroaster > Buddha > Jesus > Mani.

Manichaeism was a syncretic religion based on several sources, to include gnosticism. Sharply dualistic, it strove to redeem mankind from an inherently evil world, created by an essentially evil God (Yahweh of the Old Testament).

It was also believed that the “side of light” would eventually vanquish the “forces of darkness,” redeeming mankind from the fetters of our worldliness.

St. Augustine of Hippo wrote in his Confessions that he was duped into following Manicheism until he studied the astronomical calculations available at the time. The calculations contradicted the cosmology of the Manichean books, which were “full of the most tedious fictions about the sky and the stars, the sun and the moon.”¹

He then confronted a Manichee, a certain Fautus who was “obviously unable to settle the numerous problems which troubled me.” The Manichaean Church consisted of the elect (‘righteous’) and auditors (‘hearers’).

It was the task of the elect to not hinder the reorganization of particles of light, thereby encouraging the triumph of light over darkness.

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¹ Ironically the Christian Church which Augustine championed would come to ignore and repress most cosmological innovations during the Middle Ages. Daniel Boorstin notes in The Creators that, instead of looking at existing scientific attempts to measure the Earth, for instance, Christian cartographers indulged in and drew up wildly imaginative fantasies.

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Mani

Image: "A 13th century manuscript from Augustine's book VII of Confessions criticizing Manichaeism" via Wikipedia

Mani (216-276 CE) was the founder of the religious movement known as Manichaeism.

Not much is known about Mani’s early life, except for some recently discovered documents said to have been written by followers within his inner circle.

At age 12 he apparently had a vision of a spiritual being, regarded as his heavenly twin. He fell into disrepute with the religious leaders of his Jewish and Christian-based community.

In due course he had an alleged second vision, calling him to become an apostle. Friction within the community became intolerable, forcing Mani to depart with his father and two disciples.

St. Augustine was, for a time, a follower of Manichaeism. But later, in his Confessions, he is highly critical of his former path.

Among educated Catholics, Manichaeism is sometimes upheld as a symbol for all the deceptive pathways that some must pass through before finding the true light and faith.

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