What is the definition of the term Gnostic?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Gnosticism refers to a diverse set of ancient religious movements that emphasized secret knowledge (gnosis) as the path to spiritual enlightenment and salvation, often contrasting material existence with a higher spiritual reality. The Bible contradicts many Gnostic beliefs. Scripture teaches that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not secret knowledge (Ephesians 2:8–9). The Bible affirms the goodness of God's physical creation (Genesis 1:31) and the incarnation of Christ (John 1:14), opposing Gnostic dualism. It warns against false teachings that deviate from the gospel (Galatians 1:6–9) and emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16). The Bible presents Jesus as fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9), not a mere spiritual being, as Gnostics claimed. It teaches that wisdom and knowledge come from God (Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5), not through esoteric human enlightenment.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" This verse contradicts the Gnostic belief in the inherent goodness of the human spirit.
• Proverbs 3:5–6: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." This passage emphasizes dependence on God, rather than secret knowledge or self-enlightenment.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Colossians 2:8–9: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." Paul warns against false philosophies and affirms Christ's physical incarnation, countering Gnostic ideas.
• First Timothy 6:20–21: "O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith." This goes against any claims of secret knowledge (gnosis) that lead people away from true faith.
• First John 4:2–3: "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God." This verse refutes the Gnostic denial of Christ's physical incarnation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The allure of secret knowledge or exclusive spiritual insights continues to draw people away from the simplicity and power of the gospel. By grounding our faith in Scripture, rather than esoteric teachings, we can avoid the pitfalls of modern-day Gnostic-like beliefs. We must embrace the full reality of Christ's incarnation and the goodness of God's creation, while rejecting dualistic views that separate the spiritual and physical realms. It challenges us to find true wisdom in God's Word and through a personal relationship with Christ, rather than seeking enlightenment through human philosophies or mystical experiences.

UNDERSTAND

• Gnostics believe salvation comes through secret knowledge (gnosis), contrasting with the biblical teaching of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.
• Gnostics view the material world as flawed.
• The Bible warns against Gnostic-like philosophies that deviate from the gospel, emphasizing the need for sound doctrine and the acknowledgment of Christ's true nature.

REFLECT

• How might our culture today still seek secret knowledge or enlightenment outside the teachings of Christ, and how has this impacted you?
• How do you perceive the relationship between our physical existence and our spiritual beliefs?
• Reflecting on Gnostic beliefs, how can you ensure that your faith remains rooted in the truth of Scripture, rather than falling into modern-day philosophical traps?

ENGAGE

• Gnostics believed that the material world was created by a lesser deity, often referred to as the Demiurge, and viewed the physical body as a prison for the divine spark within. They emphasized the importance of acquiring secret knowledge (gnosis) to achieve spiritual awakening and return to a higher, transcendent reality, often rejecting mainstream religious teachings and practices. The Bible teaches that the material world is created by God and is inherently good—as reflected in Genesis 1:31, which states that God saw all that He made and declared it "very good"—while also emphasizing that the physical creation is temporary and will ultimately be redeemed through Christ.
• Modern religions that reject Christ's humanity often align with Gnostic beliefs, as Gnosticism typically denies the physical incarnation of Christ. Groups, such as certain sects within New Age spirituality and Theosophy, may promote the idea of Christ as a purely spiritual being, emphasizing secret knowledge and enlightenment over His human experience and teachings.
• What specific Gnostic ideas influence contemporary spiritual movements, and how do they contrast with biblical teachings?
• INCLUDE ARTICLE LINK: https://www.compellingtruth.org/gnostic-definition.html