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. Basically, the Gnostic believes in acquiring special ...
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 ...
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 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. The text is written in Coptic and is classified as part of the broader corpus of Gnostic literature. The Apocalypse of Adam, or Revelation of Adam, explores themes of divine knowledge ...
As a blatantly Gnostic text, the Apocryphon of John is of little use in understanding early Christian spirituality or culture. It does, however, give great insight into the beliefs of early Gnostics. Early church fathers such as Irenaeus cited the Apocryphon of John as part of their refutation of heresy.