Gnosis is a feminine Greek noun which means "knowledge" or "awareness." It is often used for personal knowledge compared with intellectual knowledge (εἴδειν eídein). A … See more

The origins of Gnosticism are obscure and still disputed. The proto-orthodox Christian groups called Gnostics a heresy of Christianity, but … See more

Monad
In many Gnostic systems, God is known as the Monad, the One. God is the high source of the See more

Three periods can be discerned in the development of Gnosticism:
• Late-first century and early second century: … See more

Cosmology
The Syrian–Egyptian traditions postulate a remote, supreme Godhead, the Monad. From this highest … See more

Jesus is identified by some Gnostics as an embodiment of the supreme being who became incarnate to bring gnōsis to the earth, while others adamantly denied that the supreme being … See more

Dillon notes that Gnosticism raises questions about the development of early Christianity.
Orthodoxy and heresy
The Christian See more