The Rebirth of Gnosticism By Dr. Gary M. Gulan, 2006 Introduction: Gnosticism flourished in many forms between the second and fourth centuries. Then, for approximately 1,500 years, Gnosticism appeared to be almost non-existent or existed only in very small insignificant isolated splinter groups. Their fading from the scene was not because they were a part of a secret alternative form of Christianity or a part of Christianity that was liberated from the mainstream, as Dan Brown in his fictional The Da Vinci Code would have us believe. But rather, because the Gnostic movement was a false deceptive movement built on heretical teaching, true Christianity opposed it in every form, and caused it to die out. Then almost overnight, we are experiencing a rediscovery and revival of Gnosticism. 1 How was Gnosticism given a rebirth? The following key factors have created an overwhelming interest in Gnosticism and in turn resurrected many ancient Gnostic teachings. The first key factor occurred in 1945, when two Arab brothers were digging in the desert of the west bank of the Nile at Nag Hammadi in upper Egypt. They unearthed a clay jar and inside this jar was 13 leather-bound papyrus scrolls, containing 52 documents with 115 titles. It was a Gnostic library written in the ancient Coptic language of Egypt dating from the second century to the fourth or fifth century. 2 The second key factor was tied to two events: (1.) the archaeological studies since 1975 in more than 150 caves of Nag Hammadi which revealed more forged gospels and other discoveries; and (2.) the textual studies of the Nag Hammadi scrolls that took place between 1975 and 1977. 3 Prior to this time, the discovery of the Coptic Gnostic texts was still largely veiled in obscurity, since the place of discovery could no longer be precisely located and up to 1975 no archaeological investigation had taken place in the area. 4 The third key factor was linked to two publications: (1.) The Gnostic Gospels, by Elaine Pagels, in 1971, who was one of the few people allowed to study the Nag Hammadi texts, does not give the texts but her analysis of them at length. 5 And, (2.) The Nag Hammadi Library, by James Robinson, in 1977. He was the director of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity at Claremont Graduate School. 6 These two works made the lost and obscure texts of Nag Hammadi available to the world in English. The fourth key factor was the steady stream of books written attempting to make known the ancient heresies of Gnosticism. Books like, Holy Blood, Holy Grail, by Michael Biagent, Richard Lee, and Henry Lincoln, (1982); Ancient Christian Gospels, by Helmut Koester, (1990); The Gnostic Bible, Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer (2003); The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ, Lynn Picknett and Clive Price, The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown, (2003), and many more. These books contain elements of liberalism, neo-paganism, New Age, and modern Gnostic scholarship, much of which is based on both fiction and speculation because of the anti-christian agenda. 7 What is Gnosticism?
The name "gnosticism" comes from the Greek word "gnosis" which means "knowledge." All Gnostics claimed to possess secret knowledge from God. 8 Gnostics believed they had access to mysteries or advanced knowledge other Christians did not possess. 9 Gnostics believed that devotees had gained a special kind of spiritual enlightenment, through which they had attained a secret or higher level of knowledge not accessible to the uninitiated. 10 Gnosticism was a philosophical system built upon Greek Philosophy that stressed matter was evil but spirit was good. 11 There were many schools of 'gnosticism,' some major ones were Eastern Theosophy, Greek philosophical speculation, and mystical Judaism. The word 'Gnostic,' which encapsulated the understanding of the mystical insight into the nature of things which the various thinkers and movements offered, therefore, meant something different depending on the school in question, its cultural location, its influences, and its stage of development within the overall movement. 12 Some Gnostics taught that Christ delivered the gnosis through some of His disciples, such as Thomas, Philip, and Mary Magdalene. These disciples had passed along Christ s teachings through secret oral tradition or had written it down in hidden documents. Gnostics kept these things as closely guarded secrets. 13 Why should we reject Gnostic literature? Christians must reject it for the following reasons. 1. Because of the origin of Gnostic literature. The gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were named for the actual individual who wrote the text. However, the Nag Hammadi s gospels, such as Mary, Philip, Thomas, and others, are pseudonyms. No one really knows who wrote them. These Gnostic gospels are not really gospels at all. They are spurious Gospels or pseudo-gospels. 14 2. Because of the dating of Gnostic literature. The gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were all written prior to 95AD because these men were actually with Jesus and wrote of what Jesus said as eyewitness accounts. However, the Nag Hammadi s gospels, such as Mary, Philip, Thomas, and others, were written between 150AD and 330AD, a long time after Jesus death. These gospels are dated much later than the biblical gospels and are pushing Gnostic agendas that the historical Jesus knew nothing of. 15 3. Because of the development of Gnostic literature. Clearly both Christians and Gnostics were offering mutually exclusive truth claims, and both thought they offered the one way of salvation and the true knowledge of God. 16 Gnostics followed a dualistic heresy that taught a series of levels of God: a lower god who created the world, and was in conflict with the higher God. 17
While the secret gospels (or Gnostic gospels) differ from and contradict one another, they share the same orientation. 18 Gnosticism developed its own set of Scriptures that included texts such as the Apocrypha of John, the Acts of Peter, the Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of Mary of Magdala, and others found in the Nag Hammadi documents. 19 4. Because of the content of Gnostic literature. These Gnostic texts...attempt to recast Jesus in a totally humanized life. 20 Gnostics had two major views of Jesus. One was since matter is evil, Jesus could not have actually come in human form, he only appeared human. Thus salvation is avoiding contamination with matter. And secondly, the divine Logos came upon the human Jesus and departed prior to the crucifixion. Thus salvation is knowing truth. 21 Some Gnostics believed that the serpent in the garden was a good creature because it brought Adam and Eve into true knowledge. Some Gnostics believed Judas was a hero because he released Jesus from his mortal body. Gnostic texts lack credibility because they directly conflict with the authors of the New Testament. 22 Because these ancient Gnostic scrolls are so anti-biblical, they cannot be......an alternate form of original Christianity. 23 While the Nag Hammadi documents draw on New Testament characters, episodes and ideas......most of these Gnostic documents are permeated with a philosophy and theology that is at odds with fundamental tenants of the Judeo-Christian tradition, tenants grounded in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Greek New Testament. 24 5. Because the early church rejected Gnostic literature. The early church fathers refuted Gnostic works because these texts contained a wide variety of interpretations and false information about Christ and Christianity. 25 Bible because they were considered pseudepigrapha or false literature. They were fraudulent writings that the early leaders regarded as tales hatched in fertile imaginations. 26 6. Because of the New Testament s rejection of Gnostic literature. John writes, For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-christ. (1 Jn. 7). Paul writes, Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Col. 2:8-9).
Paul also writes,...not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. (2 Thess. 2:2). Why is Gnosticism gaining popularity? There are four major reasons why Gnosticism is gaining popularity. 1. Christians and Bible scholars are getting sloppy and lazy. "Where imprecise doctrine and careless biblical exegesis are tolerated, and where biblical wisdom and discernment languish, people always tend to look for something more than the simple sufficiency God has provided in Christ." 2. We are living in a post-christian culture that is against Christianity. Postmodernism places feelings above beliefs and experience above revelation. To the postmodern mind, it does not matter what the Bible actually says. It only matters what it means to me. Unfortunately, many post modern young people are biblically illiterate and ignorant of history. As a result, they easily fall for misinformation, especially if it is based on a conspiracy theory. 27 3. Satan is very active against Jesus, Christianity and the Church. Satan is in control of this age and this culture, (Eph. 2:1-2). Satan is very deceptive and a liar, (Jn. 8:44-45; 2 Thess. 2:9). It was just a year ago when Mel Gibson s the passion was released which showed how Jesus died. Jesus received a great amount of attention and Christians had great opportunities. Satan now wants to discredit Jesus and keep people from seeing the truth, (2 Cor. 4:4). 4. The church will always be challenged by false teaching, like Gnosticism, especially in the end times. Paul warned Timothy to about the knowledge (gnosis) falsely called when he wrote, avoid the profane and idle babbling and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, by professing it some have strayed from the faith (1 Tim. 6:20-21); and that there will come a time when believers will not endure sound doctrine, (2 Tim. 4:3-5). Conclusion: Christian friend, it is so important for you to realize the impact of this new Gnostic rebirth. You must learn the truth and defend the faith, (Jude 3). You must not be shaken by these new deceptive attacks on the Bible and Jesus. Difficult days may lie ahead for Christians who refuse to compromise....christians one day will be considered a bothersome and dangerous minority group threatening the peace of universal tolerance for all kinds of faiths and lifestyles. 28 Modern Gnosticism s notion of hidden knowledge has influenced the church with many major trends such as: psychology, pragmatism, mysticism, feminism, sensuality, liberty, and church growth. Those Christians who stand firm will be driven back to a fresh understanding of the faith once delivered to the saints. 29 Non-Christian friend, I urge you to read the Biblical New Testament Gospels, especially the New Testament Gospel of John, and see what God wants you to learn about the real Jesus of Christianity. I would also urge you to place your faith in the Jesus of the New Testament alone for salvation. Note: 1 A History of Gnosticism, Giovanni Filoramo, London: Basil Blackwell, 1990, p.xii.
2 The Da Vinci Deception, Erwin Lutzer, Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2004, p. 30: Breaking the Da Vinci Code, Darrell Bock, Nasville: Nelson, 2004, p. 62; The Gospel Code, Ben Witherington III, Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2004, p. 81-83; Cracking Da Vinci s Code, James Garlow and Peter Jones, Colorado Springs: Cook, 2004, Pp. 159, 163. 3 Secrets of the Code, Dan Burstein, New York, CDS books, 2006, p. 109; The Gospel Code, p. 32. 4 Gnosis: The Nature & History of Gnosticism, Kurt Rudolph, San Francisco: Harper, 1987, p. 35. 4 Gnosis: The Nature & History of Gnosticism, Kurt Rudolph, San Francisco: Harper, 1987, p. 35. 5 Cracking Da Vinci s Code, p. 158; The Gospel Code, p. 82. 6 The Truth Behind The Da Vinci Code, Richard Abanes, Eugene: Harvest House, 2004, p. 28; Breaking the Da Vinci Code, p. 61. 7 Cracking Da Vinci s Code, p. 131. 8 Evaluating The Da Vinci Phenomenon, Kevin Bauder, Minneapolis: Central Seminary Press, 2006, p. 22. 9 The Da Vinci Code Controversy, Michael Easley and John Ankerberg, Chicago: Moody, 2006, p. 30. 10 The Gospel Code, Ben Witherington III, Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2004, p. 180. 11 The Moody Handbook of Theology, Paul Enns, Chicago: Moody, 1989, p. 416. 12 Above All Earthly Powers, David Wells, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005, p. 136-137. 13 Evaluating The Da Vinci Phenomenon, p. 22. 14 The Da Vinci Myth Verses the Gospel of Truth, D. James Kennedy, Fort Lauderdale: Coral Ridge, 2006, p. 14. 15 The Gospel Code, p. 37. 16 The Gospel Code, p. 92. 17 The Moody Handbook of Theology, p. 636. 18 Cracking Da Vinci s Code, p. 165. 19 Evaluating The Da Vinci Phenomenon, p. 22. 20 The Da Vinci Code Deception, Edward Hindson, Lynchburg: Jerry Falwell Ministries, 2006, p. 19. 21 The Moody Handbook of Theology, p. 416. 22 The Da Vinci Code Controversy, p. 57. 23 Cracking Da Vinci s Code, p. 167. 24 The Gospel Code, p. 81. 25 Breaking The Da Vinci Code, Darrell Bock, Nashville: Nelson, 2004, P. XV. 26 The Da Vinci Deception, p. 81; The Da Vinci Code Deception, p. 19. 27 The Da Vinci Code Deception, p. 18. 28,29 The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back, Peter Jones, Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1992, Pp. 8-9.