GNOSTICISM?

"Gnosticism" is probably the dirtiest word in Christendom. It shouldn't be surprising that "Gnosticism" is also misunderstood and has been perverted. "Gnosis" is Greek for "Knowledge." The first question I asked was, Shouldn't we all want to be "Gnostics"? Shouldn't we all want to have "knowledge"? When you allow yourself that question when faced with "Gnosticism", then you already can see where some of the perversion, or obfuscation, is when it comes to this discussion. I say this because ever since I first became a "Christian," I was told that Gnosticism is Satanic, Demonic, and will keep you from Christ. I once saw this statement: "Christ Consciousness isn't Christian." But if you really think about it, the necessary question is, Why? If "Christian" means "Like Christ" or "Little Christ" and "Consciousness" means "1. The state or condition of being conscious"; "2. A sense of one's personal or collective identity, including the attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivities held by or considered characteristic of an individual or group"; "3. Special awareness or sensitivity," then wouldn't a "Little Christ" be interested in "special awareness to or sensitivity toward" the teachings of Christ? Would they want a "personal and collective identity, including the attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivities" of the Christ? Are we that propagandized by Official Church History that such a thing is "gnostic," "new age," and therefore evil? Yet the question was relentless in my mind: Wouldn't there be a True Knowledge and a False Knowledge? Yet in Christianity, this particular nuance doesn't seem to exist. "Gnosticism" is always evil; "Christ Consciousness" becomes a straw man. But I submit to you that it's possible to be a "True Gnostic" with a truly Christ honoring "Christ Consciousness." For the remainder of this study, I'm going to outline the main tenets of Gnosticism as recognized in historical and scholarly study--summarized plainly--,compare and contrast Evangelical understanding, agree or disagree with each one, and give my own answers. Just so that we're clear on terms, I'll be referring to "classical Gnostic" doctrines as "False" or "Pseudo" Gnosis in contrast to what I consider to be the truth. Evangelicalism is referred to as Evangelicalism or Christianity.

 

1. Dualism: Spirit vs. Matter

 

Pseudo-Gnostic View

The cosmos is divided between the spiritual ("good") and the material ("evil"). In this cosmology, the spiritual realm belongs to the True, Unknowable god (often called Bythos or Monad). The material world is said to be created by a lesser, ignorant being called "The Demiurge" who is also Satan.

 

Evangelical View

Just as much as the Pseudo-Gnostics, Christians are convinced that "the flesh" is something evil and needing to be eradicated. They believe in a spiritual good and a spiritual evil. Some sects vary in their view of the "material world" in general, but most see it as fallen, corrupt, and therefore evil. For the Christian, the earth is something to escape, which happens at "the Rapture." It's only then will we finally be free from the fallen, material world. Paul himself is tormented by the evil flesh (Romans 7) despite claiming to be born again. For Paul, the flesh is evil and it's only by a spiritual means that the flesh is conquered. 

 

My View

In Genesis, the True God creates something that is originally very good, including mankind. Our perceptions are trapped by the illusion that sin by deception creates.

So it isn't true what the pseudo-Gnostic says—that some demiurge created the physical world. Rather, the demiurge has created a false reality matrix that has ravished and in many ways overlays the true physical created world we're meant to thrive in. Nor is it true that "the flesh" is inherently evil and doomed to sin. We weren't created in sin and born into sin because of what Adam did (original sin view). Rather, we stand and fall based on our own sin and righteousness (Ezekiel 18), each facing our own unique temptations and challenges. Yashua said that the meek, the saved, will inherit the material and spiritual New Earth (Heaven and Earth become one); we see that Yashua himself didn't speak of such stark dualism as the Pseudo-Gnostics or Paul. Rather, he placed emphasis on the spiritual and physical being made into one: "Cleanse first that which is on the inside of the cup that the outside may be clean also." The two must both be made equally clean, "one." 

 

2. The True God is Hidden?

 

Pseudo-Gnostic View

The Ultimate Source of All Things—the True God—is utterly transcendent, unknowable, and beyond all description. Most humans don't know this God exists because they're blinded by "material existence" and deception. This deity is known as The Monad.

 

Evangelical View

To some extent, they agree with the Pseudo-Gnostic. The Christian says that God is an "ineffable mystery" that's difficult to describe; yet this being also desperately wants to be known and understood. This "mystery" is "only true," however, if you subscribe to their notion of a "Three-In-One" Trinity. For the Christian, anything except a Trinity is Orthodox. Of course trying to understand how such a thing exists would lead one to conclude that pondering such a thing isn't completely possible. Some Denominations of Christians do teach differing alternative views. Yet such a mysterious and confusing doctrine must be accepted if one is to be "saved." The concept is very much Monotheistic.

 

My View

Just as material existence isn't evil, I don't believe The Creator is especially "hidden" or utterly "transcendent" from it. I believe what's called "Panentheism," or that God both transcends and also permeates all of creation. I also believe that "multiple gods" in fact exist and always have, but that Almighty God--The Creator and Father of all that is in Heaven and Earth--is the Only True God worthy of devotion. It's asurd to assert that The True God is "utterly unknowable." Creation itself reveals Him. He wants to have a relationship with His creation, and He does. The Creator both transcends and permeates all of the cosmos. Yashua said God is spirit and can be known and worshiped in spirit and truth. We're even told that those who inherit the New Earth will see The Creator (Revelation 21-22).

 

3. The Demiurge (False Creator)

 

Pseudo‑Gnostic View

The Demiurge is the arrogant, ignorant being who believes himself to be the only god. This being supposedly created the material world, not the True God. The Demiurge—often equated with YHWH—is considered the architect of the flawed physical realm.

 

Evangelical View

Evangelicals see no reason to make a distinction between a true and false YHWH, accepting the entire Old Testament depiction as literal and attribute all things to "Him." Most Evangelicals would also reject the notion of "Demiurge" altogether unless they were to see nuance and label Satan as The Demiurge. But the Evangelical wouldn't ascribe Creation to such a lesser being like the Gnostic does.

 

My View

The Demiurge is the arrogant, ignorant being who believes himself to be the only god and is the supreme opponent to The True God. This being gained legal claim over this realm when Adam and Eve abdicated their dominion to it. Eventually the darkness of this being's deception spreads to the point where beings of all sorts are claiming to have created the material world, thus widespread "imaginative" idolatrous cults devoted to The Demiurge, who is Satan, and the ruler over "The Watchers" or "Fallen Angels" who actually share rule over the earth and deceive and plunder animal and mankind.

 

4. The Divine Spark

 

Pseudo-Gnostic View

Certain humans contain a divine spark—a fragment of the True God—trapped in the physical body. Salvation means awakening to one's divine origin and ending cycles of reincarnation to this evil, material world.

 

Evangelical View

Evangelicals reject the idea of a divine spark as heresy and reject notions of reincarnation altogether. Humans "aren't divine"; they're depraved sinners from birth. Salvation isn't "awakening" but believing in Christ’s ritual blood sacrifice and resurrection. The only "divine spark" one might have is "new life" upon being born again.

 

My View

The concept of Humans having a divine spark, or fragment of The True God within, is true because the Genesis account of the creation of Mankind reveals that The Creator breathed His Breath or Spirit into us. This means we have life (soul/ consciousness) because God's Spirit/ Breath/ Spark of Life is in us. That's true, except for the idea that the soul is "trapped" in the physical body. Clearly, the physical and spiritual are both intended and desired by The Creator and is originally good until sin corrupts. John’s Prologue says the True Light lights every human entering the world, but darkness fails to comprehend it. Darkness is caused by our forsaking of walking in the light of Christ Consciousness, or awareness of who God is and what He wants us to do. Thus, awakening is remembering the truth of who we are meant to be--sons and daughters of The Father/ Creator (John 1:9-12; John 10:33-38; 17:6-26). Yashua’s message is about seeing, hearing, repenting, and walking in that light.

 

5. Gnosis (Knowledge) Saves

 

Pseudo-Gnostic View

Salvation comes through revelation of hidden truths—gnosis—not faith, law, or works.

 

Evangelical View

Salvation is through faith alone, without works. The Evangelical believes that faith in Jesus’ blood sacrifice and resurrection is the sole means of atonement and rejects all works-based righteousness.

 

My View

I disagree with both. Yashua never taught blood atonement; he taught obedience, repentance, and works of righteousness. "Keep the commandments" was his answer to "What must I do to be saved?" Faith without works is dead; likewise, gnosis without works is dead. What good is having the proper gnosis but no actual fruit, or works, to prove it? In fact, the Evangelical in a way agrees with the Pseudo-Gnostic. Both, by rejecting "works," only have a vague, subjective mental assent to facts (a certain "gnosis") to determine who is saved or not. However, the proper equation for salvation is the following: True Gnosis + Faith + Works = Salvation.

 

6. The Role of Christ

 

Pseudo-Gnostic View

Christ was a divine messenger who brought gnosis. Many held the view known as Docetism: that he wasn’t really human but only appeared so.

 

Evangelical View

Christ is the God-Man, the second person of the Trinity, born of a virgin, possessing two natures (called "Hypostatic Union"), which they claim makes him God Almighty. His death in the evil flesh nature of mankind he assumed is offered as a blood atonement for sins, though his divine nature can't die.

 

My View

Yashua was fully human, born of Joseph and Mary, chosen and filled with the presence and power (Holy Spirit) of God. He taught the True Way, suffered, died, and was bodily resurrected—not as a blood sacrifice, but as a martyr for righteousness. His promised resurrection vindicated him and is the Sign of the Prophet Jonas, proving that he is indeed the Chosen Messiah of the Everlasting Kingdom. His resurrected state is an elevated biology, or something biological that has attained a new capability of being in multiple dimensions.

 

7. Salvation As Escape

 

Pseudo-Gnostic View

Salvation is only through attaining "gnosis" and is the soul’s escape from the material world and ascent through heavenly realms. Those without gnosis reincarnate or eventually perish.

 

Evangelical View

 

Salvation is based upon Jesus' "death, burial, and resurrection" and is "by faith alone, not works." For the Evangelical, this means escape from "hell" and The Lake of Fire. Sects differ, but the mainstream teaches what's called Eternal Conscious Torment; some groups teach what's called "Annihilation."

 

My View

"Salvation" is from sin, from sin's consequences, and is complete with many opportunities for rewards and blessings on The New Heaven/ Earth realm. This salvation is a gift based on faithfulness in works. The ultimate goal is to achieve the same fellowship of union and Oneness that Y'shua has with the Father, as is his prayer for us in John 17.

 

I agree with annihilation, not eternal torment. I also differ from the Evangelical and believe that it's possible that most humans will ultimately be saved to some degree, and only the most incorrigibly wicked will be destroyed. I'm also open to concepts of Reincarnation, perhaps in rare circumstances, but I still maintain that sinners can be eventually annihilated and reject endless cycles. I also believe that the typical "state of the dead" is unconsciousness in the grave.

 

8. Rejection of the Old Covenant

 

Pseudo-Gnostic View

The Law of Moses, Temple, and sacrifices were institutions of the Demiurge and therefore rejected.

 

Evangelical View

Evangelicals agree that the Law is abolished, a curse, and inferior to Jesus’ sacrifice—mostly based on Paul. They accept the temple and sacrifices, and most of the law, but only as mere "shadows" of what was a more perfect temple and sacrifice, which they say was/ is "Jesus." They believe that The Creator gave all of the laws and that Satan rebels against them and leads mankind into the same rebellion.

 

My View

There are two voices in the Old Testament. One is of The Father, The Creator, a loving and merciful, patient being who has structured everything in such a way that we have a choice in what our destiny may be. Within this frame work, there is rebellion, and that allowed for "The Demiurge" Satan to inspire others like him to Fall into Sin and Death, seeking control over the created human realm. Thus, Satan and The Fallen have stepped into every aspect of human afair, including religion; they've usurped every institution and corrupted them to their benefits. This is evident in Yashua's teachings and rebukes of the religions of the day. He rebuked the Temple System and claimed that his words were superior to all those who came before. He came and restored the "torah" to its True Meaning through his words and deeds. 

 

9. Hierarchical Cosmology

 

Pseudo‑Gnostic View

The universe contains Aeons and emanations. The fall of Sophia (Wisdom) produces the flawed material realm.

 

Evangelical View

Evangelicals, I think, largely reject this cosmology entirely and affirm a simple Creator/ Creation structure. There are some, however, who believe in The Watchers or Fallen Angels who mated with human women to produce evil hybrid spawn known as Nephillm. This view has gained in popularity, but is still regarded as a "strange" doctrine.

 

My View

While I agree that error (fall of Sophia/ Wisdom) is involved, that isn't what gave rise to the material realm. The material world was created good, but the Fall produced a corrupted overlay—a false reality that can be crafted by Satan. Now we have the choice: we can either chase and cherish Sophia/ Wisdom for blessings or reject Sophia and be fools and fall under curses. Part of the true cosmology is the fact that The Watchers, or Fallen Ones, went astray and began teaching Mankind all manner of corruptions; in addition to that, they spawned The Nephillm (Giants), which only exacerbated the conditions. 

 

10. Ethical Divergences

 

Pseudo‑Gnostic View

Some sects were ascetic—rejecting meat, sex, and marriage. Others became entirely antinomian, seeing nothing as morally binding.

 

Evangelical View

Evangelicals reject asceticism, but are in their own way antinomian because they eat whatever food they wish, get divorced and remarried, and do all sorts of things that are forbidden by The Law that would take too much time to relate in this study. It would suffice to say that they clearly believe the Law is abolished, justified through Paul's "faith alone, without works" styled "gospel."

 

My View

Yashua’s own teachings resemble a more "Gnostic" discipline far more than Evangelical's would admit due to their permissiveness. He condemned remarriage, spoke of eunuchs for the Kingdom, ate no meat, and rejected Temple sacrifice. He taught a revolutionary equality as evidenced by how the Jerusalem assembly behaved by having "all things common," referring to their material possessions--a far more common, charitable community structure. I believe in distinguishing between True and False Law—not abolishing Law entirely as some "Gnostics" and most Paulinists tend to do. I also believe that we should be seeking to live more in common on our land and forge stronger, more modest and godly, decentralized self-sufficient communities. But I also believe in spreading the message.

 

Conclusion

 

I've briefly defined "Gnostic" and "Gnosticism" and compared them with Evangelicalism and my own Essene/ Ebionite inspired framework. We saw where each system converges or diverges, and I've attempted to show what "my gnosticism" is. We would all do well to strive for Gnosis. We just must be wary of the source. As Yashu said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." In many ways, the Pseudo-Gnostics over-correct and over-spiritualize; likewise, Evangelicals can tend to fall into those same traps in their own ways. In some ways, they kind of agree. It's not always a bad thing when you have something in common with an "enemy." Why not start loving that person for that reason and learn to grow through the differences. At least, that's what "True Gnosis" would mean...