Gnostic Christianity

"Gnostic Christians believed that questioning ones faith
was always important. To know (gnosis) Christ was to seek
deeper and honest meaning for ones life. This
gnosis led to wholeness in ones relationship to God
and the world. Christ's way was a spiritual journey, not a system
of right beliefs. The Orthodox Church, however, supported
by the Emperor Constantine primarily for political reasons,
was able to define what the true Christian was to believe.
Tertullian and Irenaeus were early Church Fathers (Bishops).
They declared those who questioned the Church's beliefs were
"heretics." Over the voices of those called Gnostics, Orthodox
Christianity not only prevailed, but has continued ever since
to define Christianity as a belief system. The Gnostic scriptures
show that there was and is a more refreshing, honest, open,
spiritual, loving and exciting way to be a Christian."

- Larry Angus

Summary of Gnostic Christians


Ok, lets break it down: Gnostic is from 'gnosis', meaning wisdom or knowledge. And Christian is 'follower of Christ'.

Only with Gnostic Christians, we follow the ORIGINAL teachings of Jesus Christ. Most writings that told of his true message were excluded from the bible.

That is why, with all due respect, regular christians, are missing a big piece of the puzzle.

Some, who don't know what they are talking about, say that gnostics claim they have some 'higher knowledge' that is known to only a certain few. But NO, it's NOT some secret knowledge. It's NOT something that is owned by a certain few. Anyone can acquire higher gnosis. Basically, more psychic - bringing yourself to a higher awareness of everything.

Attributes to Gnostic Christians:

Belief in reincarnation: many of the early Christian writings contain proof that reincarnation was taught among the Jews and Christians. See Dead Sea Scrolls.

Gnostic Christians
this site summarizes it pretty well

Dualism: this can vary from gnostic christian to gnostic christian, but the jist of it is basically two co-equal divine forces. Male/Female. Ying/Yang. Mother God/Father God.

Gnostic rundown
book review and good explanation on the mother god/father god and some other info on gnostic gospels

Mary Magdelene: analyzing the texts and gospels that were left out of the bible, it is evident (in my opinion, QUITE CLEAR) that Mary Magdelene was married to Jesus. (Wedding at Cana)

See Gospel of Philip:

"As for the Wisdom who is called 'the barren,' she is the mother [of the] angels. And the companion of the [...] Mary Magdalene. [...loved] her more than [all] the disciples, [and used to] kiss her [often] on her [...]. The rest of [the disciples ...]. They said to him 'Why do you love her more than all of us?' The Savior answered and said to them, 'Why do I not love you like her? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness.'" [3]

-talking about the love between Mary and Jesus ^

It was the patriarchal church who deemed Mary Magdelene a whore, (specifically I think it was Pope Gregory I in 591 CE) to justify their importance of 'sin' and 'redemption' in their dogma-filled teachings. Diminishing femininity in the process.

Also see Gospel of Mary Magdelene
this site also lists some great reading resources



Excerpt from gospel of Mary Magdelene:

10) And desire said, I did not see you descending, but now I see you ascending. Why do you lie since you belong to me?
11) The soul answered and said, I saw you. You did not see me nor recognize me. I served you as a garment and you did not know me.
12) When it said this, it (the soul) went away rejoicing greatly.
13) Again it came to the third power, which is called ignorance.
14) The power questioned the soul, saying, Where are you going? In wickedness are you bound. But you are bound; do not judge!
15) And the soul said, Why do you judge me, although I have not judged?
16) I was bound, though I have not bound.
17) I was not recognized. But I have recognized that the All is being dissolved, both the earthly things and the heavenly.
18) When the soul had overcome the third power, it went upwards and saw the fourth power, which took seven forms.

-talking about Gnosis and because we are 'bound' to this earthly planet of 'matter', not the spiritual plane, 'heaven' we are bound. therefore, why judge? the purpose of being here on earth is to learn and advance our soul ^

We are part of God, not seperate from them (Mother God and Father God): now, [in the Gospel of Thomas], this Jesus comes to reveal that you and he are, if you like, twins.... And what you discover as you read the Gospel of Thomas, which you're meant to discover, is that you and Jesus at a deep level are identical twins. And that you discover that you are the child of God just as he is. And so that at the end of the gospel Jesus speaks to Thomas and says, "Whoever drinks from my mouth will become as I am, and I will become that person, and the mysteries will be revealed to him." Here, Jesus does not take the role of authority and teacher.

In the Gospel of Thomas, the disciples say to Jesus, "Tell us, what do you want us to do? How shall we pray? What shall we eat? How shall we fast?" Now if you look at Matthew and Luke, Jesus answers the questions. He says, "When you pray, say, 'Our Father who are in Heaven, hallowed be...' When you fast, wash your face, don't make a show of it. When you give alms do it privately and without being showy." In this gospel, this Jesus does not answer. He says, "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for everything is known before heaven." Now this answer throws you and me upon ourselves.... Here Jesus, in effect, turns one toward oneself, and that is really one of the themes of the Gospel of Thomas, that you must go in a sort of a spiritual quest of your own to discover who you are, and to discover really that you are the child of God just like Jesus."

Source: Gospel of Thomas


In Summary, Gnostic Christianity is a Way of Life based on the original teachings of Jesus Christ. A gnostic is a person who believes that salvation is gained through the acquisition of divine knowledge or gnosis. Gnostic Christians believe that the knowledge necessary for salvation has been revealed through Jesus Christ. Gnostics recognize that this world is subject to powers of darkness that distort our concept of reality.

As Jesus explained, "The shadows of this world are perceived by mortals, and they think they know the Truth, but the Reality which casts the shadows is hidden from them, and they do not perceive the Light." (Sayings 2:2)

[ ^ That quote described the atheists and skeptics I used to know, lol ]

When gnostics speak of salvation, they mean being freed from these illusions of darkness so that they can perceive Reality. As Jesus said, "I tell you the truth when I say that only when you perceive shadows as shadows, and search the Light, will you perceive the Reality which is God." (IBID.) He also said, "If you continue to acquire gnosis through me and live by the principles I teach, you will be my true disciples. Then you will learn of Truth, and Truth will set you free." (Testimony of St. John 8:31-32)



Recommended Reading:

Reincarnation: The Missing Link in Christianity
by Elizabeth Clare Prophet

The Gnostic Gospels
by Eileen Pagels

Holy Blood, Holy Grail
by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln -- this book, I know, is controversial to some people, however, despite the criticism these authors have received most of them have been misunderstandings. These guys have done their research - 10 years worth. Any forged documents by 'Pierre Plantard' is MOOT, because there sources were based mostly other resources such as interviewing certain priets who admitted most of the things discussed in this book, but told authors something like 'but we're not supposed to talk about it'. (I'll list specific source here when I find it) This book discusses Mary Magdelene and Jesus being married and having seven children. Also goes over Jesus not dying on the cross at the crucifixion but moving to France as well as more information regarding the Knights Templar.

*special note* Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code is a wonderful book and just because it is in the fiction genre, the meaning and truth the book is based off of can not be disputed.

Just because The Mona Lisa is a form of artwork and therefore not a real live person in front of you doesn't dispute any meaning or truth it is based off of