Gnosticism

American  

[nos-tuh-siz-uhm] / ˈnɒs təˌsɪz əm /

noun

Christianity.

1. a group of ancient heresies, stressing escape from this world through the acquisition of esoteric knowledge.

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Gnosticism British  

/ ˈnɒstɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a religious movement characterized by a belief in gnosis, through which the spiritual element in man could be released from its bondage in matter: regarded as a heresy by the Christian Church

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Etymology

Origin of Gnosticism

First recorded in 1660–70; Gnostic + -ism

Example Sentences

I bought a house there from a chapter of the Order of the Oriental Templars once run by Aleister Crowley, who had his own take on Gnosticism.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2021

Blending the tenets of Buddhism, Gnosticism and Christianity, these consume a good portion of the early chapters of the novel.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2018

Outside, I take in the scene: street preachers denouncing Gnosticism, a lone banker trying to garrote himself with ticket tape, and the Bull – that gold, beautiful bull – running through the streets like Zeus.

From The Guardian • Jul. 8, 2015

Since then, I have found hints of this theology in Gnosticism, the Kabbalah and the writings of Nietzsche, Jung and Borges.

From Scientific American • Nov. 27, 2012

For such an one the two witnesses, astronomical mythology and Gnosticism, completely prove an alibi.

From The Eliminator; or, Skeleton Keys to Sacerdotal Secrets by Westbrook, Richard B.