gnostic
/ˈnɒstɪk
/adjective
1Relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge.For some pavements such a religious symbolism has been suggested: examples at Brading and Littlecote have been seen as representing ‘Orphic’ or gnostic (mystical knowledge) ideas....
- And also, before the 300s (and many times afterwards) there were plenty of religious authority figures in gnostic sects both within and outside the church.
- I am aware that between the second and the fourth centuries various gnostic heresies admitted women to all levels of priesthood.
1.1 (Gnostic) Relating to Gnosticism.The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic text, and Gnostic thought would have no place in first century Palestinian Judaism....
- Yes, the Gospel of Thomas can be read in terms of spiritual transformation, but so can the Gospel of John - indeed, it was demonstrably read that way both by Gnostic interpreters like Heracleon and orthodox interpreters like Origen.
- It is a collection of sayings of Jesus, shorn of most narrative setting, and often Gnostic in feel, presenting Jesus as a teacher of esoteric wisdom.
noun
(Gnostic) An adherent of Gnosticism.The distortions of the Marcionites, Gnostics, and Montanists were carefully examined under the criteria of apostolic testimony....
- Most of the early Church's toiling over Christ's humanity took place in terms less extreme than those of the Gnostics or of Tertullian.
- The argument put forth by Elaine Pagels and others is that Gnostics were a vibrant community that sought refuge from Roman power in cults that endorsed personal revelations.
Origin
Late 16th century (as a noun): via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek gnōstikos, from gnōstos 'known' (related to gignōskein 'know').