Gnosticism?

[bantha]

Since last night, I have been reading and reading on your site and your message board. I started with the atonement thread. Very exciting to me... many things I have not heard before.

I just got through reading the article on the Red Heifer on the website. I was a bit taken aback at your use of the word 'gnostic'. I'm sure you are aware of the negative conotation associated with that word. I mean no offense at all, but like I said, it really stood out to me.

Do you claim to be Gnostics? Or perhaps you are just using the word in it's true context?

Thanks for the great articles. Many blessings.

bantha

[hyssop]

Welcome, bantha

bantha,

Welcome to the tzaddikim forum! We don't get a lot of visitors (that we know of) and fewer actual members. Thank you for your kind words regarding what you've read here.

Yes, we are aware of the negative connotation that the word "gnostic" brings with it. The word "gnosis" is Greek and is used several (actually, somewhere in the neighborhood of 30) times in the Greek scriptures or "New Testament." The Red Heifer article that you read was written several years by a member of our small flock, and I can only give you my interpretation of the point he was trying to drive home.

The Gnostics, as I understand them, claimed that knowledge from spiritual insight, not blind faith, was the key to the mysteries of life. I'm sure that this did not sit too well with the traditional concept of "Christianity." How many times do you think that someone questioning "Christian" tradition has been told, "Well, you just have to accept that on faith"? It's a lot easier to deceive someone who knows nothing than one who has knowledge.

We do not believe that much knowledge makes one any better than another who has little. Paul said, "though I have all knowledge . . . and all faith . . . but have not love, I am nothing." We do, however, believe that "gnosis"/knowledge is a good thing and something worth pursuing.

I think that the article was meant to be a wake-up call to those who want to tell themselves, "All I have to do is <I>know</i>/believe that Jesus died in my stead and nothing more."

When Yashua commissioned His disciples to "Go ye therefore and teach all nations," the result of them doing so was a lot of people receiving a little knowledge that they could cultivate for a lifetime.<BLOCKQUOTE><FONT SIZE=1>2 Peter 3:18 KJV</font><HR><FONT COLOR=BLUE> But grow in grace, and in the knowledge (Gr. gnosis) of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.</font><HR></blockquote>

[bantha]

Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate it and understand.



bantha

[Ariel]

Just offering help

<font color="royalblue">Well shalom all today is my first day in this forum and my posts are probably late responses,i usually post in www.eliyah.com i would like to see this forum gain in momentum as has EliYah's

more of the people at EliYah's need to know about here

Anyway as far as gnostics are concerned john(yachanan) was a member of the essene community and they were considered in a sense gnostics.Also Yahushua Ha Maschiach spoke in very detailed but mysterious parables,it is not for all to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.It is similar to finding or looking for treasure.

I think the term gnostic is just misunderstood due to connotations applied to it by christianity.

well just an opinion,trying to help get this forum going
Shalom Ariel
Matthew 13:44,45,46 and verse 11
given to the elect