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

Through a bizarre philosophy that wove Kabbalah, Gnosticism and Sabbatai’s ideas with worship of the Divine Mother, Frank believed he was achieving tikkun olam, the Jewish ideal of repairing the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2022

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

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

On the whole, then, for an exposition of Gnosticism we are thrown back upon the polemical writings of the Fathers in their controversy with heresy.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 2 "Gloss" to "Gordon, Charles George" by Various