Gnosticism

[ nos-tuh-siz-uh m ]

/ ˈnɒs təˌsɪz əm /

noun Christianity.

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

Origin of Gnosticism

First recorded in 1660–70; Gnostic + -ism

Example sentences from the Web for gnosticism

The denial by Gnosticism of free will, and therewith of moral responsibility, called forth very decided contradiction.

History of Dogma, Volume 1 (of 7) |Adolph Harnack
How did this union attain acceptance and permanence, whilst "Gnosticism" was at first rejected?

History of Dogma, Volume 2 (of 7) |Adolph Harnack
They are called by the one name, Gnosticism, and present four aspects of error in this book.

The Bible Book by Book |Josiah Blake Tidwell
Gnosticism we see now divided into two main branches, Asiatic and Egyptian.

The Freethinker's Text Book, Part II. |Annie Besant

This mongrel mass, constituted of notions crumbled from many systems, acquired a certain consistency in Gnosticism.

Demonology and Devil-lore |Moncure Daniel Conway

British Dictionary definitions for gnosticism

Gnosticism

/ (ˈnɒstɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

Gnosticism

noun Christianity.

Origin of Gnosticism

Example sentences from the Web for gnosticism

British Dictionary definitions for gnosticism

noun