FAQs
noun. gno·sis ˈnō-səs. : esoteric knowledge of spiritual truth held by the ancient Gnostics to be essential to salvation.
What is an example of a gnosis? ›
Example Sentences
“We try to keep our ears open,” said one of the Gnosis members. Another one of the hackers shared some of the backgrounds of Gnosis group members. From Gnossus, whence the Greeks drew all their laws and science, came probably the Greek word gnosis, meaning knowledge.
Do Gnostics believe Jesus is God? ›
Jesus is identified by some Gnostics as an embodiment of the supreme being who became incarnate to bring gnōsis to the earth, while others adamantly denied that the supreme being came in the flesh, claiming Jesus to be merely a human who attained enlightenment through gnosis and taught his disciples to do the same.
What is the belief of gnosis? ›
Gnostics believe that the material world is associated with error and suffering. Moreover, they believe that the divine figure that created the material world is not supremely good or transcendent. They do believe there is such a transcendent God, but it did not create the imperfect, material world.
What is a Gnostic in the Bible? ›
Gnostics believed that the story of creation found in the Bible was a lie and that God wasn't actually the one responsible for the creation of our world, at least not directly. They claim the evidence of this comes from the imperfection, tragedy, and evil in our world. A good God could never have created it.
What does the term gnosis literally mean? ›
Greek gnōsis, literally, knowledge, from gignōskein.
What is another word for gnosis? ›
Philo also refers to the "knowledge" (gnosis) and "wisdom" (sophia) of God.
How is Gnostic different from Christianity? ›
In their radical rejection of creation and the body, Gnostics see salvation as escape from 'matter' – the physical world. This extreme dualism stands in complete opposition to biblical Christianity, and Christians need to be alert to similar thinking in our own culture and even in the Church.
Do Gnostics still exist? ›
A number of ecclesiastical bodies that identify as Gnostic have set up or re-founded since World War II as well, including the Ecclesia Gnostica, Johannite Church, Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, the Ecclesia Gnostica Mysterioum, the Thomasine Church (not to be confused with the St.
What is gnosticism in layman's terms? ›
Gnosticism says that humans are divine souls trapped in the ordinary physical (or material) world. They say that the world was made by an imperfect spirit.
Answer and Explanation: A gnostic atheist is someone who has no religious beliefs and maintains that they can be rhetorically certain that their beliefs are justified. An agnostic atheist, on the other hand, acknowledges a degree of doubt in their beliefs, however remote.
Why is Gnosticism a heresy? ›
Early heretical movements
Gnostics taught that the world was created by a demiurge or satanic power—which they often associated with the God of the Old Testament—and that there is total opposition between this world and God.
What are the 52 Gnostic gospels? ›
The 52 texts found there include previously unknown Gnostic gospels, epistles, apocalypses and other religious writings held sacred to early Christian groups . They had titles like “The Secret Book of James” , “The Apocalypse of Peter” , “The Gospel of Philip” and The “Gospel of Thomas” .
Who is Jesus according to Gnostic? ›
But the majority Gnostic position was one that modern scholars call “separationism:” the idea that Jesus did have a material body, but that his body and his spirit were two separate entities, such that no matter how many pains were inflicted on his body, his spirit never suffered.
Do Gnostics believe Jesus was crucified? ›
At the time of the crucifixion, Christ left the body so that it was the human Jesus who was crucified. Another Gnostic school in Alexandria led by Basilides (120-140 CE) taught that a bait and switch had occurred at the crucifixion; it was Simon of Cyrene (in the canonical gospels) who was crucified, not Christ.
What is the difference between agnostic and Gnostic? ›
Agnosticism is the idea (or philosophy) that something (such as the Deity) cannot or should not be known. Gnosticism (from 'gnosis:' knowledge) is the idea (or philosophy) that something (such as human or even divine spirit) can and should be known: it is a synonym for epistemology.
What are the different types of gnosis? ›
Auditory gnosis: the ability to recognize different stimuli (sounds) by hearing. Tactile gnosis: the ability to recognize or identify different stimuli (texture, objects, or temperature) by touch. Olfactory gnosis: the ability to recognize different stimuli (odors) by smell.
What does gnosis look like? ›
A Gnosis is an item used by Archons to directly tap into energy from Celestia, and is proof of their status as an elemental Archon. Taking on a physical appearance reminiscent of a glowing chess piece. I noticed that Barbatos Gnosis looks like the Queen and the Morax gnosis looks like a ROOK.
What are examples of Gnosticism? ›
Gnostics agreed that the creator God in Genesis created the universe, but creation consisted of evil matter. In some Gnostic systems, the God of Israel was not only evil, but Satan himself. Thus, the commandments of the God of Israel were deemed invalid. Gnostics claimed that their teachings came directly from Jesus.
Who has a gnosis? ›
A Gnosis, plural Gnoses, is an item used by The Seven to directly resonate with Celestia, and is proof of an Archon's status as one of The Seven. They take on the appearance of a chess piece.