Introduction
Understanding Ancient Gnosticisms
"Gnosticism" is a modern category discussed, and it includes Sethian, valentine and other currents that were not all named in the same way.
Their common point is the idea that a revealed knowledge can recognize the true origin of the human being.
To be retained
Four essential principles
- "Gnosticism" is a modern category discussed.
- Masters like Valentin taught in the Christian circles of the second century.
- Some cosmologies describe an unknowable God, a world of divine fullness and a rupture that led to material creation by a lower demiurge.
- gnosticisms have placed knowledge of spiritual origin at the centre of salvation.
Small timeline
A tradition shaped by history
Origins and training
Masters like Valentin taught in the Christian circles of the second century.
Historical developments
The Irenaeus, Tertullian and Hippolyte theologians fought them as heretics.
Ritual life and teachings
Some cosmologies describe an unknowable God, a world of divine fullness and a rupture that led to material creation by a lower demiurge.
Seed and rediscovery
The discovery in 1945 of Coptic codices near Nag Hammadi finally allowed us to study many texts without dependent solely on their opponents.
History and development
Masters like Valentin taught in the Christian circles of the 2nd century. The theologians Irenaeus, Tertullian and Hippolyte fought them as heretics.
The discovery in 1945 of Coptic codices near Nag Hammadi finally allowed us to study many texts without dependent solely on their opponents.
Worldview, beliefs and practices
Some cosmologies describe an unknowable God, a world of divine fullness and a rupture that led to material creation by a lower demiurge. A spiritual spark in human can be awakened by the revelation, often Christ in Christian texts.
Baptisms, anointings, eucharisties, passing words and symbolic interpretations could accompany this knowledge.
Texts, symbols and transmission
Gospel of Truth, John's Apocryphon, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip and Pisas Sophia, with great differences between them. Symbols: light, clothing, nuptial chamber, pleroma, serpent according to varying interpretations.
What research can and cannot say
Not all Nag Hammadi's writings are "gnostic", and not all Gnostics simply rejected the body. Researchers analyze text networks rather than a secret world church.
References