Is there anyone here who follows the teachings?

I personally do not know much about it. Am open to learn and to search out what it means to be Gnostic. Do you follow the teachings?

blackblue,

I do not know the answer to your question.

However, I can share with you why I do not follow the teachings of Gnosticism.

Gnosticism, in my understanding, was an early false teaching in the church which emphasized that "gnosis" (knowledge), and a special kind of it, might be attained and that this was the way to favor with God.

The apostle Paul challenged this teaching and in his own teachings, Paul emphasized revelation and grace. Revelation is "revealed knowledge" that God gives to us about Who He is and Who the Lord Jesus Christ is. We do not attain or get this knowledge on our own.

Grace is God's favor, blessing, salvation, which are freely given to those who receive them. Again this favor, blessing, and salvation are not attained or gotten.

In short, gnosis has to do with what man can do. In the case of this particular route to God, what man can do is get knowledge, according to the Gnostic teachers.

Revelation (revealing) is what God does, as is grace. Perhaps the opposite of revelation would be discovery (something man can do) and the opposite of grace (God's gift, love) might be the works (of man).

This may be oversimplified and may have some holes in it. If so, perhaps someone else can help us both.

I commend you upon inquiring into matters of faith.

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Originally Posted by blackblue

Is there anyone here who follows the teachings?

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I do not follow it as I am a Secular Humanist.
But if you want to know about Gnostic Christianity, check this link : http://www.gnosticchristianity.com/

:)

I studied Gnostic Christianity many years ago.

I recommend "The Gnostic Gospels" by Elaine Pagals as an excellent source book. :)

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Originally Posted by IM4U

Gnosticism, in my understanding, was an early false teaching in the church which emphasized that "gnosis" (knowledge), and a special kind of it, might be attained and that this was the way to favor with God.

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But was it a "false teaching"? Why would that? Just because the Christians "won" the race?
May be Christianity is a "false teaching" too or instead. For neither there are objective supported arguments.
It all depends on what you BELIEVE. Not on what IS!!

:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Choux

I studied Gnostic Christianity many years ago. I recommend "The Gnostic Gospels" by Elaine Pagals as an excellent source book. :)

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Don't see that one here. Any other alternative titles you can suggest?

:)

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Josh McDowell wrote a book entitled, "Evidence That Demands a Verdict." He later wrote another called, "More Evidence That Demands a Verdict." This may be one of the works that would more nearly provide documented historical evidence which supports the Biblical narratives than some others.

Without certainty, I imagine he deals with gnosticism also.

No I do not particularly follow that religion although I do agree with a few things it has to offer.I was just wondering if there were any followers here.