Is there any "proof" that gnosticism isn't the right way?
I've done some reading on the differences between the early Christian sects of gnosticism and orthodoxy. It seems to me that it was leaders and some consensus among them that gnosticism was "heretical". However, this is what most of the early Christians believed.
Is there any reason to believe that gnosticism isn't true? It seems a bit more new age-y in its beliefs that we attain the highest heaven by "Gnosis" or learning to be Christ. It just feels more right to me. The strict orthodox view does not.
Does anyone know anything about Christian gnosticism that could help me along here?
There is no proof that any religion is or is not the "right way." We all choose and accept the beliefs that work for us. A religion might be the "right way" *for you*. But there is no "right way" for everyone.
Gnosticism didn't have the money and power to back it. The people who were in power stayed in power.
Simply put, Gnosticism is based on your own personal knowledge and experience on your spiritual path... only you can know what God's purpose is for you by you knowing God, whereas orthodoxy is based on believing and doing what you are told to believe and do by the "authorities".
Traditionally, going up against the authorities of the church in orthodoxy has carried a penalty of death. This is not so much the case nowadays, of course.
Do the research on your own. Come to your own conclusions. That's where it starts.
EDIT
I would also like to add that you la is an agent working for the orthodoxy. Be careful or she might report you to the authorities for you heretical inquiries.
Jesus could be classified as a gnostic, if he was to be classified at all.
Your body is the holy temple, the house of God. God is inside of you and outside of you, all throughout and around you. God is One, there is no difference.
Jesus knew this. He had to speak in parables, though, because most people can't handle the meat and potatoes. It was this way then, and it still continues to be this way now.
Gnosis is the knowledge one perceives to have of God, that is handed down through the patriarchal system of the powers that were in force at the time that started all this dribble.
Gnosis = is to know.
This is totally devoid of the Bible which makes strong clear claims that it is the word of God for the common man.
Gnosticsm is philosophical, it has nothing to do with the Bible or the Lord Jesus and God himself, once again it is a human concept. It is sincerely designed to oppress humankind and to keep people in their churches...................!!!!!!!
1 Corinthians 1 : 18 - 29 ( KJV 1611) God has chosen the silly / foolish things to confound the wise ( aka.... Gnostics) and the Greeks seek after wisdom (philosophy).
Read the passage in your Bible a few times and remember that God's word is the last say in any matter between God himself and mankind........
2 Peter 2 : 19 and be certain of this very verse where God is telling you directly that ....we have a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shiner in a dark place, ....................
You are the dark...God is the light ....you see, you do what the bible says and ignore the stupidity of smart Alec men and you will do well in your life,,,,,,,,,
You see, thou shalt be smarter than all the foolish gnostics who refuse to Obey God, and so they will be sorely punished by God
Gnosticism was initially rejected before the First Ecumenical Council. This means gnosticism, as a belief system, was rejected before the Church was the official religion of the Roman - Byzantine Empire, and before it was even legally allowed in the Roman world. It was known in the Apostolic times and is mentioned in Scripture by the Apostles, and there are a number of writings from the Prue-Nicean era (before the First Ecumencial Council) or post-Apostolic era attesting to the view held by Christians towards gnosticism, again, as was said, before Christianity was even legal, meaning that before this time (the Edict of Milan) Christians were regularly killed for their beliefs. The modern surge of gnosticism, despite the claims to authenticity, has come about by a research into older, rejected beliefs in a manner outside of a living tradition, and this is similar to someone picking up an ancient Shaolin manuscript on Jung FY and deciding they know Jung FY from reading it, and then pass themselves off as a master of the martial arts. If one looked for authentic Jung FY, they would go to the established Shaolin temple and not from someone who read a book, in the case of Christianity they would not go to someone who read only the Nag Hammadi for instance and then decided they were a master of "authentic" Christian spirituality, but rather the established Church, with saints that exist in modern day, and yes, there are clairvoyant saints in todays world, saints that shine in uncreated light, etc and all are part of the established Church. The modern common idea that the Church only sought to control the masses and still maintains this control by encouraging people not to think is an idea normally held by those who have not experienced Christian life. Unfortunately, in saying this last statement, I cannot defend the Baptists, Roman Catholics, Non-Denominationals, etc. I am an Orthodox Christian, having myself entered the Church from gnosticism and the occult (I studied under a famous gnostic bishop, but back then T.M. taught something much different from what he teaches now). I would suggest of course studying the history of Christianity, and obviously I am in favor of the history of the Orthodox Church.
Regarding the proof against gnosticism, I would suggest looking at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library for the Nicean Fathers series, for in them there is contained the ancient manuscripts from those we consider saints concerning gnosticism, and these guys were pretty smart. Please bear in mind in the Apostolic Era there was not a simple "Gnosticism" but different types of gnosticism, usually bearing the name of their founder, so it will take some research.
You have received many good answers and I would like to add what I hope is a complimentary and helpful comment.
To me, nosies was the basis for early Christianity (and still is for me) because it is my connection with the Spirit and it gives me specific answers to the questions I ask. I can barely imagine what it was like at the death of Jesus. The answers had to come from within but the process was condemned. Hold onto those feelings. There may be your knowledge.
Orthodoxy is the milk version of Gnosticism (although in this day and age Christianity is highly corrupted). By milk, I am saying it is for babies, those of a very carnal and elementary understanding. Thus it is the entry level state for seekers and does not expound into anything else besides the bare essentials at that very limited level of mind, so one can begin to make some productive gains and begin the process of transformation which makes their body-mind fit to receive "nosies" and achieve "Gnosis."
In every movement the core of it is mystical and spiritual. Gnostic Christians were the Spirit of the Primitive Church, without it, the church is only a shell without the spirit which invigorates it; so error reigns supremos with them.
However the FIRST followers of Yeshua's The Way were the Ebionite Nazirenes, which some call a form of Gnosticism. But to be honest they were the Gnostic's Gnostic. In Christianity Gnosticism and Ebionites are the true nature of it, the same with Sufism in relation to Orthodox Islam, just like Jewish mysticism (Essenes and real deal cabala's) compared to normal Judaism (pharisees and etc).
However Gnosis is SlavicICCecause it is self knowledge. It is the true expression of the words; Know Thy Self.
Is there any "proof" that gnosticism isn't the right way?
