What is Gnosticism?

In this video, Dr. Michael F. Bird discusses the meaning of key terms such as Gnosis, what is a Gnostic, and the meaning of Gnosticism. It is the first of three videos about the meaning, varieties, and origins of Gnosticism.
What is Gnosis? (03:15)
Who is a Gnostic? (05:22)
What is Gnosticism? (06:51)
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[@danemiljoshua]

Woohoo 🙌🎉 Really interested in this series!!!!!

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

I hope up I live up to your expectations.

[@elsanto8505]

Awesome explanation!!!!!!!

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

Glad you like it!

[@mikaelabell513]

This was really informative, I'm excited for the next videos!

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

Yes, there's a few more on the channel already, with more to come.

[@DonWilliams-gl3lj]

Enlightening thank you Dr. Bird

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

Glad you liked it!

[@deinstaller]

Thank you, that was a very helpful.

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

My pleasure.😀

[@troymulberry9434]

Dr. Bird, in one of your videos you cited a gnostic legendary recounting of the resurrection. Can you please identify which gnostic writing that came from?

[@rashadjamal5882]

Hello Dr. Bird, If I wanted to pursue further study of Gnosticism and its influence on Christianity what titles and works would you recommend? Thank you.

[@EmilyTodicescu]

Very helpful, thanks Dr. Bird, and I look forward to the next instalment! This question might be a bit granular, but I’ve been trying to witness to someone who seems resolute in their gnostic paradigm, and in particular is fixated on the following saying attributed to Jesus in The Gospel of Thomas: “Blessed is the lion which a man eats so that the lion becomes a man. But cursed is the man whom a lion eats so that the man becomes a lion.” I’ve tried to gently challenge this person on the authenticity of this saying, and how it detracts from the Gospel message (“save yourself” versus “trust and worship the only One with the power to save”). What else could I say to someone who seems committed to this paradigm?

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

HI Emily, interesting question, it's hard to say, because they've bitten off a fair bit of the Gnostic poison apple already. But I doubt whether they've really grasped the meaning of Gnosticism.

[@TheFreedThinkerPodcast]

Can you comment on the various Gnostic views of the will and determinism within Gnostic groups such as the Manicheans?

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

I'm not delving into Manicheanism.

[@gravytopic]

I am listening to this with interest, but I wanted to leave this perhaps pedantic note: that use of primer is correctly pronounced like “primmer”. The way you pronounce it refers to the paint undercoating. Thank you.

[@tonilynn3179]

You wanted to leave it, why?

[@gravytopic]

@@tonilynn3179 I want to leave the note for you, so that you use the standard pronunciation next time. If you care to.

[@elfrechaun]

Just curious because he's come under fire for this a bit recently and you seem to know him well and are friends. Do you think NT Wright uses the word "gnosticism" too loosely in describing positions he doesn't agree with or more Greek than his or that seem a bit anti-materialist or mind-body dualistic?

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

Well, I can't speak for Tom, but I know I have definitely over used it.

[@Belliferous]

Michael Heiser was a modern day gnostic.

[@earlychristianhistorywithm8684]

No he wasn't. He was a Christian man with a great knowledge of ANE literature which he applied to the study of the OT.

[@youngrevival9715]

Michael Heiser is brilliant

[@Belliferous]

He gave divinity to creatures other than the one true God. He wasted his whole career over divine council rhetoric. He asserted there is HIDDEN WISDOM that only a very select few people could even see, him being one of the special ones. Its no different than a charismatic preacher. They exalt themselves above others through the use of mysticism and talk of hidden knowledge.