The concept of Gnostic in Christianity
The term Gnostic refers to a religious movement in early Christianity marked by mystical knowledge and beliefs. Gnostics claimed exclusive understanding of divine truths and interpreted religious symbols in unique ways, often blending elements from various traditions, including Pagan and Zoroastrian beliefs. Followers sought spiritual enlightenment, emphasizing personal knowledge and perfection. They were characterized by their distinct interpretations of scriptures and often faced criticism from orthodox Christianity for their beliefs, which diverged significantly from mainstream doctrines.
Synonyms: Esoteric, Mystical, Spiritual, Transcendent, Metaphysical, Enlightened, Mystic
In Spanish: Gnóstico; In Dutch: Gnostisch; In Finnish: Gnostinen; In Malay: Gnostik; In German: Gnostiker; In Swedish: Gnostiker; In French: Gnostique
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Gnostic'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) The Gnostic is the one who knows things ancient by the Scripture, and conjectures things future, understanding the involutions of words and the solutions of enigmas, and doing all things holily.[1] (2) The text mentions that far from 'the Gnostic' be envy, and he runs the risk of communicating to every one who is qualified.[2] (3) A name that the Naasseni subsequently styled themselves, claiming to have sounded the depths of knowledge, and from whose system many constructed a heresy with various subdivisions.[3] (4) Of this class are, for example, Marcion and Valentinus, and the Gnostics, who sunder the Word from the flesh, and thus set aside the one talent, viz., the incarnation.[4] (5) The Gnostic is described as righteous, holy, and prudent, aiming for perfect manhood, with pure actions, thoughts, and words, and a deep understanding of sin and repentance.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) This refers to people who felt that each one of us has illumination (or the divine light) within us, and did not need an intermediary to commune with God.[6] (2) This term refers to a religious and philosophical movement that emphasizes secret knowledge and spiritual enlightenment, as the text presents.[7] (3) This refers to an individual who follows the Gnostic philosophy, often seeking knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.[8] (4) By printing the opening words in the form 'The Man is like a wise fisherman,' the official translation inevitably suggests an association with the Gnostic Anthropos, in which case the parable would refer to the election of the Gnostic. He is the large and good fish which is selected while all the rest are thrown back into the sea. It is also possible, however, to interpret this story as a parable of the Gnostic, the fish in this case being gnosis and the parable constructed on the model of the synoptic parables of the pearl of great price and the hidden treasure, both of which also occur in Thomas, to teach that the Kingdom of God (or in Thomas gnosis) is of such supreme value as to be worth any sacrifice.[9] (5) This term refers to a particular way of understanding the parable, which emphasizes the importance of knowledge and spiritual insight.[10]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) This refers to the heretic Cerinthus, and the heresy which the second epistle alludes to, and the first epistle's polemics are directed against.[11] (2) A religious movement in early Christianity characterized by mystical knowledge and beliefs, which the Nicolaitanes were associated with.[12]
Gnostic concept of 'Gnostic'
From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
(1) Gnostic is related to the doctors who were regarded as cultured men who made a brave effort to formulate Christianity as a universal philosophy, or rather as a divine science springing from the ground of a philosophy of religion, according to the provided text.[13] (2) The Gnostics are associated with the Sethians, as described by Hippolytus, who examined their doctrines and beliefs, and this connection highlights the intricate relationships between different religious and philosophical schools.[14] (3) Gnostics were the adherents of various schools of thought who called themselves by that name, and they were the first to use the term to describe their beliefs.[15] (4) Individuals who usually were of education and refinement, who came to such views through the Pythagorean and Platonic discipline, and the teachings of Jesus.[16] (5) This term refers to a person associated with the Gnosticism movement, with Valentinus himself being the greatest of them, whose teachings are the subject of study.[17]
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) The Gnostics are people whose sole profession was the knowledge of the other world, and they used the same method of interpretation that the Kabbalists had used for Moses and the Prophets.[18] (2) These are some devout, but illiterate people, that construed a picture discovered in ancient times into a shocking heathen blasphemy, and a jibe upon the good Christian Alexamenos.[19] (3) The Gnostics largely borrowed the images and symbols of the ancient Egyptian mythology, yet these figures were employed in a new sense, as the text elucidates.[20] (4) These are mentioned in relation to Pythagoras's use of Numerals, and Hippolytus considers Pythagoras their real master.[21] (5) The name "Gnostic" is commonly used to refer to the sectaries who declared that they were the only real Christians, and they based their arguments upon the tenets of Pagan religions.[22]