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Blackburn
Gnosis from the Greek meaning knowledge
The root word is found in the words/concepts agnosticism, gnosticism, diagnosis, prognosis and the obsolete word for epistemology, gnoseology. Blackburn (1996: 159).
In the academic discipline of theology, gnosis is noted by Blackburn to be considered higher knowledge of spiritual things, referencing claims of such knowledge within gnosticism. Blackburn (1996: 159).
Browning writes that gnosis, meaning knowledge, and gnosticism is a term used for 'a kind of religious speculation in vogue in the first two centuries CE'; the Church Fathers being hostile to it because of a perceived opposition to orthodox (Biblical my add) Christianity. Browning (1997: 151).
Gnosticism was a broad movement that did have influence over the Church, particularly in the second century states Grenz, Guretzki and Nordling; I John may, for example be attempting to answer and refute gnostic understandings. Pocket Dictionary (1999: 56).
Gnosticism would emphasize the spiritual realm over the material realm which was considered evil, often claiming it needed to be escaped. Pocket Dictionary (1999: 56).
In I John 2: 22, Jesus is the Christ and whomever denies this is the antichrist. The Father and the Son being denied. Also verse 23.
Jesus was both perfect human being and was and is infinite, eternal God. He was not simply spiritual, but took upon himself human physical nature in the incarnation. He was and is, infinite, eternal God, as God the Son within the trinity, now with a resurrected glorified physical human nature as well as spiritual nature as the Gospels, Acts, I Corinthians 15 and Revelation document.
BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Oxford Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI and CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.
