Gnosticism
Key principles
Dualism
Gnosticism holds that the world is divided into two opposing forces - the material world, which is seen as evil and corrupt, and the spiritual world, which is seen as pure.
Salvation through Knowledge
Gnosticism teaches that salvation comes through the acquisition of secret knowledge or gnosis. This knowledge is believed to free individuals from the material world and bring them closer to the divine.
The Gospel of Judas
The Gospel of Judas contains an alleged and secretive conversation between Jesus and Judas Iscariot. In which Jesus implicitely critisizes the material/animal sacrifice and, accumulation of material objects which had become intertwined with Jewish and Christian religious practices. He further goes on to explain that the God painted as the creator in Genesis is a lesser, imperfect deity, which became known as the Demiurge, see below, and tells Judas that no descendent of any of the 12 disciples would ever know him(Jesus) for who he is. The Gospel also tells how Judas Iscariot in his betrayal of jesus was supposedly an instrumental part of the divine plan and facilitated Jesus' return to the one supreme God outside of the material realm.
The Gospel of Thomas
The Gospel of Thomas is a Gnostic text discoverd in the Nag Hammadi Library in Egypt. It contains 144 saying allegedly said by Jesus Christ throughout his life, unlike the canonical scripture it lacks a central narrative. The first quote of the collection says "Whoever discovers the meaning of these sayings won't taste death." Hinting at further Gnostic ideas to come.
The Demiurge
Gnosticism teaches that the material world was created by a lesser, imperfect deity known as the Demiurge. This deity is seen as a false god who creates a flawed and imperfect world.
Rejection of the Material World
Gnostics believe that the material world is an illusion and that the true reality lies in the spiritual realm. They reject the pursuit of material possessions and pleasures, viewing them as distractions from the spiritual path.
The Divine Spark
Gnostics believe that each individual has a divine spark or spirit within them that is trapped in the material world. This spark must be awakened and liberated in order for the individual to achieve salvation.
The Fall of Sophia
According to Gnosticism, the material world was created when the divine Sophia, a manifestation of the divine feminine, fell from the spiritual realm. This event is seen as the cause of the imperfection and suffering in the material world.
Emphasis on Individual Experience
Gnosticism places a strong emphasis on individual experience and personal revelation. Gnostics believe that each person has their own unique path to salvation and must seek out their own personal understanding of the divine.
Rejection of Authority
Gnostics reject the authority of organized religion and religious leaders, believing that true spiritual knowledge can only be gained through personal experience and revelation.
Importance of Myth and Symbolism
Gnosticism uses myth and symbolism to convey its teachings and beliefs. These stories and symbols are believed to hold deeper, hidden meanings that can only be understood by those who possess the secret knowledge.
Focus on the Divine Feminine
Gnosticism places a strong emphasis on the role of the divine feminine in the spiritual realm. The divine feminine is seen as a source of wisdom and knowledge, and is often associated with the concept of Sophia.
The Perfect Humanity
The Perfect Humanity is essentially the enlightened, Knowledgeable human.
The Role of Jesus
In Christian Gnosticism, Jesus is viewed as an imparter of Gnosis, this is the Jesus that most of the Lost Gospels potray. Take for instance this quote from the Secret Book of James, “Truly I tell you, no one will ever enter the kingdom of heaven because I ordered it, but because you yourselves are full."