The Gnostic Texts

Gnostic texts are a diverse set of ancient writings that emerged in the early centuries of Christianity. These texts offer a vision of the world and divinity distinct from that found in the New Testament and in the teachings of the Catholic Apostolic Church.

Characteristics of Gnostic texts

• Duality : One of the central characteristics of Gnosticism is its dualistic vision of the world, where there is a contrast between the material, imperfect and corrupt world, and the spiritual, perfect and eternal world.
• Knowledge (Gnosis): The word “gnostic” comes from the Greek word “gnosis,” meaning “knowledge.” In Gnosticism, this knowledge is superior to the mere intellectualism that results from scholastic subjects, according to the myth of Sophia; salvation is achieved through a profound knowledge of the truth about the nature of the world and of the human being.
• Divinity : At the heart of Gnosticism is the belief in a supreme, transcendent, and unknown God, who is beyond human understanding and the material world. This God is the source of all being, of every galaxy, and of all dimensions, but His nature is so sublime that it cannot be comprehended by the human intellect.
• The Pleroma and the Aeons: Gnostics conceive divinity as a Pleroma, a divine plenitude where hierarchies of celestial beings called Aeons exist. These Aeons emanate from the supreme God and represent different aspects of his manifestation.
• The Demiurge: A central figure in Gnostic cosmology is the Demiurge, a lesser creator being who, either through ignorance or malice, creates the imperfect material world. The Demiurge is often identified with the God of the Old Testament. In the contemporary gnostic texts by Samael Aun Weor this demiurge is the Logos, the divine male-female that in the beginning of time created the universe.

Examples of Gnostic texts

• Gospel of Thomas: This text is a collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus. Some of these sayings are similar to those found in the canonical gospels, while others are unique to the Gospel of Thomas and reflect Gnostic ideas.
• Gospel of Mary Magdalene: This text focuses on the teachings of Mary Magdalene, who is presented as a close disciple of Jesus with special knowledge. The gospel addresses topics such as the nature of the soul, the role of women, and understanding Jesus’ teachings.
• Apocryphal Gospel of Judas: The Gospel of Judas was discovered in Egypt in the 1970s and first published in 2006. The original text is believed to have been written in Coptic around the 3rd or 4th century AD, although it is based on an older Gnostic tradition. The authenticity of the gospel has been debated among scholars, but most agree that it is an ancient text and valuable for understanding Gnosticism.

Importance of Gnostic texts

Gnostic texts are important for several reasons:

• Diversity of early Christianity: They reveal the diversity of beliefs and practices that existed in the first centuries of Christianity.
• Understanding Gnosticism: These are primary sources for the study of Gnosticism, a very influential philosophical movement in antiquity.
• Influence on Western culture: They have influenced various philosophical and spiritual currents throughout history.

To continue learning

• Books:
  • “The Gnostic Gospels” by Elaine Pagels
  • “The Gospel of Thomas” by Antonio Piñero
  • The Gospel of Judas
  • “The Gospel of Mary Magdalene” by Karen L. King
• Writings on the Page: Judas did not betray Jesus The Initiation of Judas PETER, JUDAS AND JOHN

Ramon T Juarez

Here from Orion