My life has been good. I come from a rather large family, with three younger brothers and two older half-sisters. Their mother died from cancer. My mother left when I was about 20 or so. My father, 83, has had trouble (two heart attacks, a collapsed lung) but is still alive, alert, and going...
On the one hand, I think this is reason that Christian Gnosticism should have a name, if we are to lump them together (Sethians, Valentinians, etc).
But this also happened with Christianity. Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Mormon, etc. etc.
Jesus is even called lucifer. And there has been, for a couple centuries, bishops by the name Lucifer. And don't forget St. Lucifer (Lucifer of Cagliari - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I'd say no contemporary Gnostic would, since contemporary Gnosticism seems to be rather pro-cosmos. Classical Gnosticism would have probably been rather indifferent. They didn't seem to have the humanitarianism we find today. They had the truth and if others didn't grasp it, it was of no...
That is valid. At the time of this topic's beginning though, the accepted thought of Gnosticism from ("active") members was Christian gnosticism.
It can get quite hairy at times when people come in, claiming their gnosis is the only gnosis. The definitions before discussion are extremely...
An article I read on contemporary Gnosticism articulated a difference between classical Gnosticism and contemporary is the cosmos. Specifically, classical Gnosticism was anti-cosmic compared to the rather pro-cosmic attitude of contemporary Gnosticism. The author articulates how definitions...
With further reflection, I think the problem also comes from a lack of authority. The report I read, "Contemporary 'Gnosticism' as a Discursive Field: an analysis of individual and institutional authority in twentieth century 'gnostic' movements" by David G. Robertson, it was made mention that...
I have been thinking of Mormonism a lot lately, a year later, and wanted to touch on this subject again. Below are some areas I think are in common:
Marriage: The importance of marriage is evident not only with the temple sealing of Mormonism, but the Gospel of Philip places marriage in high...
I wanted to touch on this a little more and actually discuss it, since I think it is a problem that should be addressed. I don't expect any actual resolution to this problem, since this board is very small, but it may help.
I am reading a study on contemporary Gnosticism which the author of...
There would be two philosophies. And there would be disagreements about them. One is you have to first have experiential knowledge of God before you can get any sort of intellectual understanding. The experience of the divine utterly shatters your preconceived notions and allow you to...
I would personally think that the distinction is irrelevant. I suppose you could attempt to break the two apart, but I believe when the Christ entered into Jesus at his Baptism, the two became one. Now, there is a distinction, just not when the Christ dwelled within Jesus.
An excellent book I...
Hi @Being. I think the wording that can be confusing from Jesus comes from the authors and the communal memory had of Jesus. The disciples are told constantly that they don't understand what he is saying, so I believe that when these sayings and deeds are confusing, I have to wonder if it is...
For two reasons: One, because of the fear, anger and confusion Jesus had at this moment in time; two, so that Jesus could die. A writing in the "Excerpts of Theodotus" says it: "And he died at the departure of the Spirit which had descended upon him in the Jordan, not that it became separate...
Yes, you got the message.
Regarding what Jesus said on the cross, I think the darkness is Death claiming Jesus. I think Death is a separate Archon to that of YHWH. YHWH may have been personally observing it though, as if to gloat.
Regarding what Jesus said, if we accept Matthew as that...
Hi @Being , I am replying to this thread since the idea/question asked is the same in both. I did not read your other threads. I have also gained new thoughts since I wrote that, but the premises is still the same.
I came to the conclusion you mentioned by attempting to look exactly what the...
THANK YOU.
Seriously! Thank you.
I honestly thought I was the only one that saw this. It makes me especially sad for the Valentinian group, because I thought it would be a little more in-line academically and theologically, but it seems to be rather New Age as well.
I think this is why I...
Our culture and world is not the same one as that the Gnostics had. Despite Gnosticism addressing many problems we still experience today, and our view that Gnosticism best represents the truth as we understand it, issues today seem to be troublesome if we were to take serious the thoughts of...
I recently saw a series of pictures that depicts either an interview or conversation with Stephen Fry. He discusses God. A video can be found here:
Guy Byrne: "Suppose what Oscar believed in as he died, in spite of your protestations. Suppose its all true. And you walk up to the pearly...
I wonder that myself, nazz. I would think they're an aspect of God, just as "Father" or "Son" is an aspect. But I wasn't sure. Especially with the vogue of worshiping Sophia. If they are but "a mode" of God, then there would be no concern. It may even be more direct since the Aeons could be...
Since things are relatively slow, I thought I would pose this question and see what others thought.
I first want to look at discussion to the Aeons. The Aeons are eminations from God. But they seem to be able to act independently from the will of God. Specifically, in what seems to be all...