Gnosticism

Gnosticism (from the Greek gnōsis [γνῶσις], "knowledge") is the religious philosophy and practice of various movements of late pre-Christian and early Christian centuries. Although some scholars have claimed that gnosticism pre-dated Christianity, it is usually defined in a Christian context. It is generally accepted that gnosticism developed into a coherent movement only in the second century CE.

Most gnostic movements saw the material world as created through an intermediary being (the demiurge) rather than directly by God. This demiurge was generally seen as imperfect, and sometimes even as evil. A common characteristic of these groups was the teaching that the realisation of Gnosis (esoteric or intuitive knowledge) is the way to salvation of the soul from the material world.

Additional resources

Books

• Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospel.

Articles

• Gnosticism at Theosopedia
• The Pistis Sophia: An Introduction by Raul Branco
• Speaking of Sophia & the Magdalene: Interview with Tau Malachi by John Plummer
• The Gnostics at WisdomWorld.org
• Gnostic Theosophy at WisdomWorld.org

Audio

• Cracking the Gnostic Code by John Algeo
• The Dead Sea Scrolls by G. Nevin Drinkwater
• Gnostic Kabbalah by Stephan Hoeller
• Joyful Gnosis: Gnosticism and Blavatskys Wisdom by Stephan Hoeller
• Jung and the Wisdom of the Gnostic Gospels by Stephan Hoeller
• The Gospel of Thomas - Part 1 and Part 2 by Ron Miller

Video

• "The Origins of Gnosticism" by Richard Smoley, presented March 24, 2022 at the Theosophical Society in America. Richard Smoley, author of "Forbidden Faith: The Secret History of Gnosticism," presents a radical new theory. He argues that Gnosticism arose out of the failure of apocalyptic expectations in early Christianity.
• Hermeticism and Gnosticism by Stephan Hoeller
  • Volume 1: Part 1 and Part 2
  • Volume 2: Part 1 and Part 2
  • Volume 3: Part 1 and Part 2
  • Volume 4: Part 1 and Part 2
• Turning-Points for the West: From Pythagoras and Plato through Gnosticism and Neoplatonism by Stephan Hoeller and Tony Lysy, presented on September 11, 2004 at the Theosophical Society in America.
  • Part 1.
  • Part 2.
  • Part 3.
• Our Gnostic Legacy: The Western Esoteric Tradition by Richard Smoley