Two Kinds Of Gnosticism
Author Peter J. French writes, The texts themselves actually outline two opposing ways of achieving gnosis. ‘Optimist’ gnosticism accepts the universe as divine; God reveals himself in everything, and through his intellect, man can become like God in order to comprehend him. By a religious approach to the universe and by inscribing a representation of the universe within his own mens, man can ascend and unite with god. ‘Pessimist’ gnosticism, on the other hand, rejects the world as evil, and…