Gnosticism, Secret knowledge, And Accepting Jesus Christ As The Revelation of the Universe
Gnosticism was a variety of second-century religions whose participants believed that people could only be saved through revealed knowledge, or γνῶσις (gnōsis). Gnostics also held a negative view of the physical or material world [1]. This spiritual movement had no defined belief system. Instead, it was more like a spiritual umbrella that covered various groups and common themes. (Sound familiar?) Some Gnostic groups claimed to be Christian while others drew from Greek philosophy, Egyptian religion, or Persian mysticism. Though there were different sects, what united them was their belief that salvation came through special spiritual insight rather than faith.
GNOSTIC Beliefs
Within the Christian community, gnostics promoted belief in Christ while also claiming to enhance it through secret, hidden spiritual knowledge that was only available to a select few. While Gnostic groups varied in their specific teachings, they shared several core beliefs that put them at odds with orthodox Christianity:
God
Gnostic texts (particularly the Nag Hammadi texts), often describe God as unknowable, transcendent, and incomprehensible. Gnostics believed God can’t be observed with the natural senses or easily understood. Some texts even describe Him as “nonexistent.”
Dualism and Dichotomy
Gnostics believed the world was divided into two realms, the physical realm and the spiritual realm. They believed God existed in the divine realm and was completely isolated from the world. They believed the world was not created by God, but instead by the fallen personification of Wisdom (whom they believed was a lesser deity), and that the world is completely isolated from God.
Humanity & A Divine Spark
Gnostics believed human beings were split between the physical and spiritual realms. They believed humans were naturally divine with a “divine spark”, belonging to the same realm as God, but trapped inside the prison of the physical body from which they must be freed in order to attain salvation and unity with God. (This imbalance generally led to two extremes: asceticism (denying the body of its natural needs) and libertinism (moral freedom). Both lifestyles are addressed by Paul. God also declared humans good when He made them (Gen.1:31).
Salvation
Gnostics believed salvation was deliverance from the physical body, and believed this was attained through secret knowledge. They believed this secret knowledge frees the divine spark within humans, which allows them to return to the divine realm. They also believed that when the elect have been restored through this knowledge, the physical world will be destroyed and the chosen humans will return to their divine state. It should be noted, however, that because gnosticism encompasses a large variety of beliefs, not every school of gnosticism believed salvation came through the same path. Each group claimed to have the secret knowledge required. This contrasts the Biblical teaching of salvation (in the sense of being unified with God), comes through belief in Christ and repentance of sin.
Myths
Like other ancient religions, gnosticism ascribed to a belief in creation myths and multiple deities who possessed divine power. This is in contrast to Paul’s teaching in Colossians 2:9, that the entire fullness of God’s nature (deity) dwells in Christ. With Christ, there is no need for complex hierarchies of spiritual beings. In Him is everything one needs for salvation and abundant life.
Jesus is the Revealed Secret of the Universe
The tragedy of Gnosticism is that it blinds those who truly seek from the greatest revelation of all: that JESUS IS THE REVEALED SECRET OF THE UNIVERSE. There are no more “spiritual” secrets. Jesus was once hidden but has now been revealed (Col. 1:26). Jesus is not for the “spiritual elite” but for everyone who believes—an open revelation for all to see. In Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).
Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. ~1 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
There are no more divine secrets.
Echoes of Gnosticism & Its Modern Appeal
Sadly, it seems the Gnosticism of Paul’s day has not fully gone away, even in Christian circles. Many claim Christianity while also engaging in spiritual practices outside of what the Bible teaches in attempts to gain additional spiritual enlightenment or dominance over others. This is rooted in pride as it offers a sense of spiritual superiority. This is not what Jesus taught, as He insisted that those who lead are to serve, not domineer (Luke 22":25-30). The suggestion that the “truly enlightened” have secret knowledge outside of Christ (and the Bible, as HE IS THE WORD) is heretical.
The only way to combat gnosticism and ultimately reject it is to recognize it when you hear it. Teaching is likely gnostic if:
1.) It implies one is less than without it
Be cautious of any teaching that claims to offer hidden spiritual insights unavailable to ordinary Christians. Whether it’s called “deeper truths,” “advanced revelation,” or “higher consciousness,” the pattern is the same: suggesting that regular biblical faith is somehow incomplete or elementary.
Modern examples include claims about:
• Secret meanings in Bible verses that only certain teachers can unlock
• “Lost” books of the Bible that contain crucial spiritual knowledge
• Advanced spiritual techniques that go beyond simple faith in Christ
• Hidden codes or mystical interpretations that reveal “deeper” truths
2. It’s complex
The truth of the Gospel message is simple. Children can understand it with ease, but added requirements outside of Scripture confuse its message. This can lead to extremes and unhealthy physical and spiritual relationships. Real faith is simple and accessible.
3. It Presents a Hierarchy
Watch for teachings that emphasize spiritual intermediaries between God and believers. Christ is our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5). This might appear as:
• Emphasis on contacting or worshiping angels, “ascended masters,” or spirit guides
• Complex systems of spiritual beings that must be understood or appeased
• Teachings about “levels” of spirituality or spiritual beings with different powers and authorities
• Practices that seek spiritual guidance from sources other than God and the Bible
4. “All Paths Lead to God” Mentality
Gnostic influence often appears in the claim that Christianity is just one path among many to spiritual truth. Red flags include:
Treating all religions as equally valid approaches to God
Suggesting that Jesus was just one enlightened teacher among many
Claiming that biblical Christianity is too narrow or exclusive
Teaching that truth is relative and personal rather than revealed by God
5. Self-Deification Themes
Modern Gnosticism often appears in teachings that make humans divine, semi-divine, or can become either of the two. These themes are often preached by taking certain verses out of context.
“You are a god” or “you have a divine spark within you”
Emphasis on human potential to create reality through thought or intention
Teaching that salvation comes through realizing your own divinity
Practices aimed at “ascending” to higher spiritual states through human effort
6. Rejection of Physical Reality
While modern versions are often more subtle, watch for tendencies that diminish the importance of the physical human existence.
Over-spiritualizing everything while neglecting practical Christian living
Suggesting that the body or material world is inherently evil or unimportant
Teaching that the “real” spiritual world is separate from physical reality
Emphasis on escaping the physical rather than serving God within it
Questions to Ask
When encountering new spiritual teachings, ask yourself:
1.) Does this teaching point to Christ alone, or does it suggest I need something additional to basic faith in Him?
2.) Does this emphasize God’s grace through Christ, or my own spiritual efforts and achievements? (Eph. 2:8-9)
3.) Does this teaching align with clear biblical revelation, or does it claim special insights beyond Scripture?
The Bible Is The Balm
Many well-meaning believers have fallen into this trap. But as always, God’s grace is sufficient to heal all wounds acquired though this deception. Sticking to the Bible (Genesis through Revelation without the Apocrypha (more on that later) and rejecting all of the “secret books”) will correct the damage of wrong teaching and soothe all wounds. Accepting Jesus as the secret of the universe that was revealed through the ressurection is true spiritual enlightenment.
SOURCES
Zachary G. Smith, “Gnosticism,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
John D. Barry and Mark S. Krause, “Nag Hammadi Codices,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
Liddell, Henry George, Robert Scott, Henry Stuart Jones, and Roderick McKenzie. A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.