Questions for my Gnostic Friends! (Jesus, ritual, procreation, reincarnate)

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

Could you explain that to me? How is the soul and spirit different? Sorry, I feel stupid.

No need to feel stupid, this is a very Gnostic concept.

The spirit is immortal and is essentially a little bit of God, unchanging and unchangable. The soul is the personality, it is linked to the body more directly and changes over time, it might also be destroyed at death along with the body.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

No need to feel stupid, this is a very Gnostic concept.

The spirit is immortal and is essentially a little bit of God, unchanging and unchangable. The soul is the personality, it is linked to the body more directly and changes over time, it might also be destroyed at death along with the body.

That makes sense. I may have more questions. So I'll post them on this thread as I read. I'm reading a page or so at a time, because it's really hard for me to grasp the concepts and ideas

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

That makes sense. I may have more questions. So I'll post them on this thread as I read. I'm reading a page or so at a time, because it's really hard for me to grasp the concepts and ideas

*nods* they're all very challenging concepts.... sorry if its a bit difficult to get through... (the first time i read it, i had to keep looking in the back of the book for footnotes )

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Buttons*

*nods* they're all very challenging concepts.... sorry if its a bit difficult to get through... (the first time i read it, i had to keep looking in the back of the book for footnotes )

You excited I'm reading it Ashley?

Currently, I'm reading the

The Book of Mormon - 2nd Nephi
The Bible - Old Testament - Genesis
Nag Hammadi Library - Apochryphon of John

I have a lot on my plate.

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by Becky

Do you actually believe there is a heaven?

I dont believe so... and my beliefs on the "after life" are a bit on the confusing side... so I'll save that for another time perhaps *smiles*

Originally Posted by Becky

Do you believe that this world is inherently evil and why or why not(spiritually evil, matterly evil, physically evil, etc.)?

I dont believe that anything is "evil" but anything that keeps you ignorant to the "truth" (for lack of a better word) is not of the realm of the One. (I speak of man-made things, I dont believe anything that was created by, or in nature could possibly be evil or not bring you closer to the source. I mean, everything came into being through the One...oh i could just go on and on...)

Originally Posted by Becky

Who is Yaldabaoth and why is he important and can we realate him to anything in Christianity?

what Paul said on this is correct in my eyes.

Originally Posted by Becky

This quote, "Man comes to life when Yaldabaoth is tricked into breathing light-power into him. Thus begins the continous struggle betweeen the powers of ligh and the powers of darkenss for the possession of the divine particles in man. The evil power put man in a material body to keep him imprisioned, and also created women and sexual desire to spread the particles of light and make escape more difficult."

-What are those divine particles?
-Could this be saying that having children will make it harder for us to return to our Heavenly home?

I believe Paul is correct on those particles. As he already mentioned, women were equal to men in the Gnostic practices as well as the belief itself. The male and female complete one another. *smiles* Heavenly deities are defined as both male and female, because it was easier for people to grasp the ideas of duality... or completion.. think yin/yang.

"Some Gnostic sects did teach against procreation as they believed it wrong to trap more divine sparks in this world." .... this is one of the reasons I dont want to have children... I dont take most of the Gnostic stuff literally AT ALL, however, I really do see truth within this belief for various reasons.

Originally Posted by Becky

Another quote,
"Only those who possess this knowledge and have lived aestic lives can return to the realm of light; the others are reincarnated until they also come to a saving knowledge."

-Do you personally believe that you will be reincarnated if you don't have that 'saving knowledge'?

There's nothing to attain really... it already exists, if you open your heart to realize it....*smiles*
This part I dont take literally at all... which would go back to my view on the afterlife...

Originally Posted by Becky

When Arimanius approaches John, as saws to him "Where is your master [whom] you followed?" Has Christ already died by this time? Because John said to Arimanius "He had gone to the [place] from which he came." Does this mean heaven or just fromt he city of Nazerene?

What's an aeon?

What is the symbolism or what does the youth, the old man and the servant mean in the vision John sees

Paul explained these beautifully.

Originally Posted by Becky

What does the voice that John hears saying, "I an the one who is [with you (pl)] always. I [am the Father], I am the Mother, I am the Son" ? Why isn't daughter included in this, or is it just my book?

The son is supposed to be Child. Paul covered this too...

Originally Posted by Becky

Who is this voice that says this, is it Christ or is it a higher being?

Also, what does Against Heresies by Ireabaes have to say about this (if you know)?

Paul got these as well

Originally Posted by Becky

Oh, one last one, do you take this literally or figuartivley, and if you take it(the Creation story) figuartivley, how does that work?

This could be where my dearest Paul and I differ a bit. *smiles*

I take it all as an allegory for understanding the heart/mind. It's the EXACT same (in my opinion) as the way the Tao Te Ching explains the Tao. Its not an intellectual understanding.... cant really be expressed in words... its just too amazing.... *smiles* (and truthfully, I havent even really tapped into it much!!!) This, again, is solely my take on it...

Originally Posted by Becky

Sorry so many questions, I just started reading and I'm curious!

We're delighted you have questions for us. Of course, our opinions and differing perspectives may be confusing for you, but hopefully it shows you the diversity that can be had for a common goal. *smiles* If you have any more questions, never fear to ask, just know that we dont know the "truth" we just have faith. *smiles*

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Buttons*

I dont believe that anything is "evil" but anything that keeps you ignorant to the "truth" (for lack of a better word) is not of the realm of the One. (I speak of man-made things, I dont believe anything that was created by, or in nature could possibly be evil or not bring you closer to the source. I mean, everything came into being through the One...oh i could just go on and on...)

Yes, that was REALLY confusing, but I'm sure if I keep asking I'll sort of understand what you are talking about.

Anywho. So a question about what you said here. So what sort of things keep you from the 'truth' and what is this 'truth'. Could it be any religious teachings that are good or is it only Gnostic? Thanks Ashley! I appreciate you answering my questions, I'm actually getting off for the night, so I'll check this thread in the morning!

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

You excited I'm reading it Ashley?

Currently, I'm reading the

The Book of Mormon - 2nd Nephi
The Bible - Old Testament - Genesis
Nag Hammadi Library - Apochryphon of John

I have a lot on my plate.

that's a TON to have on your plate sweetie.

Firstly, NEVER feel stupid for asking questions. How can you learn if you never ask? Especailly with something as difficult as the Apochryphon of John! I dont even really grasp half the things I read... I convert everything into allegory... but that;s a WHOLE other thing to tackle.

Yes, i am really excited that you've taken an interest in it. *big smile*

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

Yes, that was REALLY confusing, but I'm sure if I keep asking I'll sort of understand what you are talking about.

Honestly... i dont know if you will... but its okay *smiles*

Originally Posted by Beckster

Anywho. So a question about what you said here. So what sort of things keep you from the 'truth' and what is this 'truth'. Could it be any religious teachings that are good or is it only Gnostic?

ANYTHING that brings you closer to the Source has merit. *smiles* Not just gnostic writings, they're just the scriptures that I, personally, identify most with. Gnostics are cool because they are basically the eastern thought of western religion. (from my perspective) You can be a gnostic anything, really.

Of course, i have a tendency to use "mystic" and "gnostic" interchangably...