Gnostilaiset

Gnostilaiset refers to adherents of Gnosticism, a diverse religious and philosophical movement that flourished in the first and second centuries CE. Gnosticism is characterized by its belief in a transcendent God who is distinct from the material world. This supreme deity is said to have emanated lesser divine beings, known as aeons, from which the imperfect creator god, the Demiurge, arose. The material universe is viewed by Gnostics as a flawed creation of the Demiurge, and humanity is trapped within it.

Central to Gnostic thought is the concept of gnosis, a Greek word meaning "knowledge." This is not ordinary empirical knowledge but rather a special, intuitive, or revealed understanding of spiritual truths. Gnostics believed that through gnosis, individuals could achieve salvation and liberation from the material realm. They often saw a divine spark or fragment of the supreme God within each human being, which had become imprisoned in the physical body.

Gnostic beliefs varied significantly among different groups and sects. However, common themes include dualism, the rejection of the material world, a complex cosmology involving emanations, and the importance of secret knowledge for spiritual awakening. Many Gnostic systems incorporated elements from various religious and philosophical traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Platonism, and mystery religions. While some Gnostic groups were associated with early Christianity, their interpretations of Christ and scripture often differed markedly from those of orthodox Christianity, leading to condemnation and persecution by emerging church authorities. Evidence of Gnosticism comes from various sources, including the writings of early Church Fathers who opposed it, and more directly from Gnostic texts discovered in the 20th century, such as the Nag Hammadi library.