Gnosticism

Gnosticism
Family	Late antique / Esoteric
Origin region	Mediterranean and Near Eastern religious environments
Founding period	Antiquity, especially the first centuries CE; modern revivals exist
Estimated adherents	Ancient movements are historical; modern Gnostic churches and esoteric groups have small followings.

Gnosticism is a broad label for ancient and modern religious movements that emphasize salvific knowledge, the divine origin of the soul, and liberation from ignorance or bondage.

Overview

Gnosticism is not one single church or doctrine. The term is used for several ancient movements and texts associated with gnosis, or deep spiritual knowledge. Many Gnostic systems describe a transcendent divine source, emanations, a flawed world-order, and the human soul’s need to awaken to its higher origin. Modern Gnostic churches and esoteric groups reinterpret these themes in different ways.

Key beliefs

• Gnosis as saving spiritual knowledge
• A transcendent divine source beyond ordinary material existence
• Myths of emanation, fall, ignorance, and return
• The soul’s hidden divine origin or potential
• Critical reinterpretations of creation, scripture, and authority in some systems

Practices

• Scriptural interpretation and mythic study
• Prayer, sacraments, initiation, and contemplative practice in some groups
• Ascetic, ethical, or ritual disciplines depending on the movement
• Modern liturgy in contemporary Gnostic churches
• Study of Nag Hammadi and related texts

Places of worship

• Ancient communities met in varied settings; modern Gnostic groups may use churches, chapels, homes, and study circles

Sacred texts

• Nag Hammadi writings, the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocryphon of John, and other ancient and modern Gnostic materials

Holidays and observances

• Modern Gnostic groups may adapt Christian calendars or create observances related to saints, teachers, and esoteric cycles

Branches and related traditions

• Christianity
• Manichaeism
• Hermeticism
• New Religious Movements

See also

• Religion
• Theology
• Philosophy of religion
• New Religious Movements
• Indigenous and Traditional Religions