An Introduction to Christian Gnosticism

Discover the Secrets of the Christian Gnostics

In the early years following Jesus’ crucifixion, Christianity took many forms. The Christianity we have today – what is most often thought of as Christianity – didn’t exist.

There was no bible, no New Testament, and it was some years before the traditional Gospels appeared and circulated. In a largely Jewish corner of the Roman Empire, ancient Christianity was marked by diversity, with different groups understanding the life and teachings of Jesus in various ways, and a variety of sects living side by side, often in harmony.

Some Christians emphasised a belief in salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. Others were more interested in understanding and studying what he taught; they strove to fully grasp the great depth of his teachings, seeing that they pointed the way to something hidden – something very profound that would take effort and seeking for knowledge to find.

These Christians can loosely be called Gnostic, which means “those who know” although this term has been applied to many, sometimes very differing sects, who have often been grouped together under the Gnostic title. Some of these Christian Gnostics understood the deeper significance to Jesus’ life and message and followed the teachings of Jesus and his disciples to attain enlightenment, which they sought through knowledge and direct, personal spiritual experience, rather than belief. They not only studied the traditional Gospels, but many other sacred texts which were excluded from the bible we have today.

Their story is largely unknown because one emerging sect of Christianity, which has come to be known as the orthodoxy, strove for dominance and turned against the other Christians, including the Gnostics, and imposed a religious order they insisted others conform to. Texts were banned and lost, opposing viewpoints were condemned as “heretical” and as the New Testament canon was gradually pieced together, most of the Gnostic texts were excluded. As the Christian orthodoxy adhered itself to the Roman Empire and gained political power and prominence, other groups not conforming with the orthodox views were deemed illegal by the government and driven underground.

But Gnosticism re-emerged time and time again throughout history, despite severe persecution, and continues today in its modern form. In recent times the Gnostics have taken the spotlight following the discovery of ancient scriptures lost for over a millennium. These Gnostic texts have revealed a side to early Christianity previously known historically only by what its enemies had written against it, bringing another dimension to Jesus’ life and teachings to light.

So what was it about the Gnostic quest for spiritual knowledge that made it so threatening to the orthodoxy and attracted such fierce persecution? Why did Gnosticism keep appearing in different forms throughout history, after seemingly having been wiped out? Now, you can discover the secret knowledge they sought and by what means they attained it… a powerful knowledge of spiritual transformation at the very core of human existence. The amazing story of the Gnostics is explained and unveiled in the free 4-week course, “An Introduction to Christian Gnosticism”, which explores these mysteries and many more:

• Learn about the mystical side to Christianity and delve into the basis of Gnosticism, past and present.
• Find out who the Gnostics are and how to become one.
• Discover the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ teachings and what makes Christian Gnostics different from the Christian orthodoxy.
• Learn how the Gnostics go beyond religious belief and theological theories to get to the heart of true knowledge, with powerful esoteric practices that are still used and taught today.
• Find out how the Gnostic teachings are used in modern times to attain spiritual knowledge and transformation.

In this free course, begin your journey into Gnosticism and uncover a timeless spiritual knowledge that has inspired motivated and transformed people throughout history and continues to today.