Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Gnosis, Gnosticism and it's influence on the Roman Catholic Church

 
 
Plato: Copy of portrait bust by Silanion

What is Gnosis?

"THE meaning of the term Gnosis or Knowledge, as applied to a system of philosophy, may be illustrated by the language of Plato towards the end of the fifth book of the Republic, in which he distinguishes between knowledge(gnosis) and opinion(doxa) ...

The mystery of the ages contained in the secret doctrine of all religions
Marie Sinclair Caithness
Stanford University Library
STANFORD, CA 94305 United States
page 87


What is Gnosticism?

GNOSTICISM (nds'ti-siz'm), (Gr. yruxrtt, no'sis, knowing).

... still it is the opinion of Dr. Burton that it was the Greek writings of Plato which gave the extraordinary impulse of their genius, and, if we may use the word, of their fashion, to the lost writings of the Gnostics, as well as to those which remain to us of Philo and Plotinus; in a word, that Platonist, Philonist, and Gnostic, are but emanations at different distances from the Gnosis of Plato.

The popular and critical Bible encyclopædia and Scriptural Dictionary
Samuel Fallows
San Francisco State University Library
Map Library
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132 United States

Plato! Remember this name!!

What is the influence of Gnosticism to the Roman Catholic Church?

Augustine in his skepticism turned to Plato, or rather the modified form of his day. His writings show this influence in their best and largest thinking. One of his greatest admirers (Grattry) says: "Saint Augustine has borrowed much from Plato: ... he never denies the fact."

Beacon lights of Christian history
Author: Albert Walkley
Publisher: Boston : Unitarian Sunday-School Society
Graduate Theological Union
SFTS Library
BERKELEY, CA 94709 United States

Plato allegedly influenced Augustine.

Who is "Saint" Augustine?

Augustine of Hippo [SAINT] [DOCTOR]
"one of the greatest saints that ever lived."

www.catholic.org

Who si Plato?

Plato is known today as one of the greatest philosophers of all time.

www.historyforkids.org


So, Augustine is considered by Catholics as the greatest "saint" to ever lived was influence by Plato, the greatest Greek philosopher of all time.

With regards to the service of God and of being Christian, is it allowed by the Apostles that Christians be influenced by the gnosis(knowledge) of philosophers? of course NOT!!

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.


If there's a church now existing that can be called gnostic based on the influence of gnosticism unto it, it safe to say it is the Roman Catholic Church.

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