Gnosticism
From Neoredemptive
Ancient Gnosticism
Gnosticism was among the chief hermeneutics competing with the orthodox understanding of who Jesus Christ was and what He accomplished.
Etymologically, the word "gnosticism" is derived from Greek/gnosis, "knowledge". Gnosticism, in all of its forms, focuses upon the transmission of "divine knowledge", that is, a participation in esoteric understanding, experience, and comprehension of things "deeper" or "more real" than empirical reality.
As a pseudo-Christian heresy, the gnostics embraced a number of problematic doctrines:
- Dualism: Spirit is good, matter is bad.
- Pseudo-pantheism/pseudo-panentheism
- Monism (ontological unitarianism)
- Mysticism
Gnostic Revivalism
Recent pop cultural phenomena including The Matrix movies, books like The DaVinci Code, and the recently uncovered so-called gospel of Judas have revived interest in gnostic thinking. This is not terribly surprising, as the dualism of classical gnostic thought is highly agreeable to post-modern relativism and the kind of "rational/irrational" divided thought lives that many participants in secular industrialized society inhabit (see, e.g., Escape from Reason and Above All Earthly Pow'rs).
Gnostic Tendencies in the Contemporary World
I (Doc) have noticed a curious pattern in popular culture that I call "the medicritiziation of the intellect". I may be completely off base, but it seems to me that there's a large sector of the populace that perceives itself as being smart and in-the-know but can't really be bothered to rigorously think through ideas, do research, and apply the rigors of intellectual pursuit to difficult questions of theology, politics, relationships, etc. These people form the consumer base for an economy of mediocre intellectualism, in which apparently very bright and knowledgeable people share "deep insights" into complex problems with the masses. These "deep insights" are presented with diagrams, develop a little bit of their own jargon, and are accredited with footnotes, sometimes referencing obscure and seldom-cited sources. Unfortunately, the diagrams can often mask a shallowness of content, the jargon can be a pretense for bluster, and the reason the sources in their footnotes are seldom-cited sometimes has something to do with generations of far more rigorous and thoughtful intellectuals having already considered them, weighed them, and found them lacking. There is a huge market for the kind of shell game artist who can convince a mediocre mind[1] that it has been let in on a great secret that only the very intelligent could possibly grasp, and that they are therefore among the knowing ("gnostic") elite.
This shows up all over, in the world as well as within the church. Attend any "business seminar" or "relationship workshop" advertised via junk mail. Follow a charismaniac conference-chaser to the place where the latest "revelation" is falling. Watch "educational" cable programs (especially the "Reality TV" type, which adeptly exploit viewers who want to feel superior to someone).
I say this not to suggest that we should tar and feather people who try to educate wide audiences with "fancy book learnin'". But I think the Christian community does need to exercise some caution and discernment, that we need to be vigilant against feeding into these kinds of pride-based economies, instead offering a humble, Christ-like critique and alternative.
