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Gnosticism

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Sophia. Gnostic 'Aeons' in system of Valentinus ... Sophia, also called Acamoth (Wisdom), consists of spirit, animal, and matter. ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Gnosticism


1
Gnosticism
  • Robert C. Newman
  • from Robert M. Grant, Gnosticism
  • and Irenaeus, Against Heresies

2
Gnosticism Characterized
  • This world is unredeemably bad.
  • Salvation is escape from the world, by means of
    self-knowledge.
  • God is completely transcendent.
  • Between God the world are numerous intermediate
    spirit beings, called aeons, one (or more) of
    whom made this world.
  • Somehow, some of the divine spark was trapped in
    the world in (some) humans.
  • The Redeemer came down to give knowledge by which
    humans may be saved.

3
Gnosticism Characterized
  • Humans are divided into 3 classes
  • Hulic earthly, material
  • Incapable of salvation
  • Psychic animal, soulish, spiritual
  • Capable of salvation
  • Need to accept Gnostic gospel
  • Usually orthodox Christians are put in this class
  • Pneumatic spiritual
  • Already saved by nature
  • Typically, the Gnostic leaders

4
Origin of Gnosticism
  • Very controversial
  • From ancient Oriental religion?
  • Zoroastrian, Mesopotamian, Indian?
  • From heterodox Judaism?
  • Apocalyptic, mystical?
  • From heterodox Christianity?
  • From late Hellenistic philosophy?
  • Neoplatonism?

5
Early "Christian" Gnostics
  • Lots of Gnostic gurus and groups
  • Simon Magus
  • Menander
  • Saturninus
  • Basilides
  • Carpocrates
  • Cerinthus
  • The Ebionites
  • Valentinus
  • The Nicolaitans
  • Cerdo
  • Marcion
  • The Encratites
  • The Barbelo-Gnostics
  • The Sethian-Ophites
  • The Cainites

6
Gnostic "Aeons"in system of Valentinus
  • THE OGDOAD
  • Proarche
  • Ennoea
  • Nous
  • Aletheia
  • Logos
  • Zoe
  • Anthropos
  • Ecclesia
  • THE DECAD
  • Bythius
  • Mixis
  • Ageratos
  • Henosis
  • Autophyes
  • Hedone
  • Acinetos
  • Syncrasis
  • Monogenes
  • Macaria

7
Gnostic "Aeons" in system of Valentinus
  • THE DUODECAD
  • Paracletus
  • Pistis
  • Patricos
  • Elpis
  • Metricos
  • Agape
  • Ainos
  • Synesis
  • Ecclesiasticus
  • Macariotes
  • Theletos
  • Sophia

8
Gnostic "Aeons" in system of Valentinus
  • The Ogdoad, Decad, Duodecad make up the
    PLEROMA.
  • Sophia, also called Acamoth (Wisdom), consists of
    spirit, animal, and matter.
  • Her child is the Demiurge, the God of everything
    outside the Pleroma, the Creator in Genesis.

9
Gnosticism
  • Believe it or not
  • is currently experiencing a revival of sorts
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