"CHRISTIAN GNOSTICISM"

Good day everyone and welcome to another study from God's Holy Word. I was recently involved in a discussion where the topic of Gnosticism came up. I began to realize that this was not only something from our past but something that still exists in the mind of far too many in our world today. There is a combining of this area of thought with Bible Christianity and calling it normal and acceptable as another denomination with their own "faith". This should not be. Our study begins today with taking a look at the two and differentiating between them. It is actually termed "Christian Gnosticism".

In reality, there is no such thing as Christian Gnosticism, because true Bible Christianity and Gnosticism are mutually exclusive systems of belief. The principles of Gnosticism contradict completely what it means to be a Christian. Therefore, while some forms of Gnosticism may claim to be Christian, they are in fact non-Christian altogether.

Gnosticism was perhaps one of the most dangerous heresies that threatened the early church during the first three centuries. Influenced by such philosophers as Plato, Gnosticism is based on two false premises.

First, it espouses a dualism regarding spirit and matter. Gnostics assert that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. As a result of this false presupposition, Gnostics believe anything done in the body, even the grossest sin, has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only.

Second, Gnostics claim to possess an elevated knowledge, a “higher truth” known only to a select, certain few. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word 'gnosis' which means “to know.” Gnostics claim to possess a higher knowledge, not from God's Holy Word, but acquired on some mystical higher plain of existence unknown to most. Gnostics see themselves as a privileged class elevated above everybody else by their higher, deeper knowledge of God.

To discredit the idea of any compatibility between Christianity and Gnosticism, we need only compare their teachings on the main doctrines of 'the faith'. On the matter of salvation, Gnosticism teaches that "salvation is gained through the acquisition of divine knowledge which frees one from the illusions of darkness."


Although they claim to follow Jesus Christ and His original teachings, Gnostics contradict Him at every turn. Jesus said nothing about salvation through knowledge, but by obedient faith in Him as Savior from sin. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Furthermore, the salvation Christ offers is free and available to everyone, not just a select few who have acquired a special revelation. (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21)

I will end here for today and pick this study up next time. God bless.......