The Origins of Christianity: Gnosticism as the True Foundation
The Origins of Christianity: Gnosticism as the True Foundation
By Bishop Ray Taylor, Ph.D.
Introduction
The early Christian movement, widely misunderstood and misrepresented, owes its foundation not to the so-called proto-Orthodox tradition but to the diverse and vibrant beliefs of the so-called "Gnostics." The term Gnostic itself is a later polemical label, used by the early Church to demonize these groups and obscure their foundational role in Christianity’s development. This paper will explore how the Gnostics shaped early Christian thought, expose the Church's lies and manipulations, and demonstrate that what is now known as orthodoxy is a later Roman construction aimed at control and suppression.
1. The Misnomer of "Gnosticism"
1.1 Gnostics Were Never Called Gnostics
The term "Gnostic" derives from the Greek gnosis (knowledge), used pejoratively by early Church fathers like Irenaeus and Tertullian. These thinkers sought to marginalize groups that did not conform to their emerging dogmas. However, the so-called Gnostics referred to themselves simply as Christians.
1.2 Gnostics as Founders of Christianity
Early Gnostic texts like the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary reveal a rich and diverse Christian tradition that predates or exists alongside the canonical Gospels. Elaine Pagels, in The Gnostic Gospels, argues that these texts reflect a more original and spiritually profound Christianity than the hierarchical and dogmatic structure that emerged later.
Sources:
Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels.
Meyer, Marvin. The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.
2. The Lies of the Early Church
2.1 Lying for God
Church leaders like Clement of Alexandria and Eusebius openly justified deception to promote Christian doctrine. Eusebius, in his Ecclesiastical History, defends the use of “expedient lies” to further the Church's goals. This admission underscores the dishonesty at the heart of early Christian orthodoxy.
2.2 Systematic Suppression of Dissent
The early Church systematically silenced opposition, branding divergent groups as heretical. The violent suppression of the Cathars in the Middle Ages mirrors the early eradication of Gnostic communities. The Church’s actions were not about preserving truth but consolidating power.
Sources:
Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History.
Ehrman, Bart D. Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew.
3. Gnostic Practices and Beliefs
3.1 Magic and Mysticism
The Gnostics were often accused of practicing magic, including rituals involving sexuality. These practices were not inherently sinister but reflected their belief in transcending the material world. For instance, texts like the Pistis Sophia and The Gospel of Philip describe mystical experiences and esoteric rituals aimed at spiritual enlightenment.
3.2 Love and Forgiveness
Unlike the hierarchical and punitive structure of orthodoxy, Gnostics emphasized love, forgiveness, and personal spiritual liberation. They rejected slavery—both physical and spiritual—and sought to free individuals from oppressive systems.
Sources:
The Gospel of Philip.
MacRae, George W., and Robinson, James M. The Nag Hammadi Library.
4. The Myths of Jerusalem and Hebrew Origins
4.1 Christianity’s Real Geographic Roots
The claim that Christianity originated in Jerusalem is a myth propagated by the early Church to tie it to the Hebrew Bible. The earliest Christian communities were likely in Syria, Egypt, and Asia Minor, where Gnostic thought flourished.
4.2 The Hebrew Bible as a Greek Construction
The Hebrew Bible’s earliest versions are in Greek (the Septuagint), not Hebrew. The so-called Hebrew texts were later redactions designed to legitimize the Jewish and Christian religions as historical continuations of an ancient tradition. Thomas L. Thompson, in The Mythic Past, argues that much of the Old Testament is fabricated history.
Sources:
Thompson, Thomas L. The Mythic Past.
Finkelstein, Israel, and Silberman, Neil Asher. The Bible Unearthed.
5. The Deception of Marcion
5.1 Misrepresenting Marcion
Marcion was accused of removing Hebrew references from the New Testament. In reality, Marcion recognized that these references were later additions by proto-Orthodox redactors. His "heretical" teachings simply highlighted the inconsistencies and interpolations in the canonical texts.
5.2 Marcion’s Gospel
Marcion’s version of Luke and his Pauline epistles reflect a purer, more original Christianity. His teachings reject the wrathful Old Testament deity in favor of a God of love and liberation.
Sources:
Knox, John. Marcion and the New Testament.
Ehrman, Bart D. Forgery and Counterforgery.
6. The Fraud of the Bible
6.1 Forgeries and Errors
The New Testament contains more textual errors and intentional alterations than words. The pastoral epistles are widely regarded as forgeries, and the Gospels themselves are contradictory and historically unreliable.
6.2 Paul as Simon Magus
Early Church fathers conflated Simon Magus, a Samaritan religious leader, with Paul to sanitize Paul’s controversial teachings. Simon Magus, with his emphasis on personal gnosis and rejection of Jewish law, aligns more closely with the Gnostic ethos.
Sources:
Eisenman, Robert. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the First Christians.
Doherty, Earl. The Jesus Puzzle.
7. The True Christian Legacy
7.1 Rebellion Against Slavery
The original Christians—Gnostics and other sects—rebelled against societal norms and slavery, both physical and spiritual. They were hunted and labeled as devils and heretics because they refused to conform to the oppressive structures of their time.
7.2 Freedom Over Dogma
True Christianity, as practiced by the Gnostics, was about love, freedom, and personal spiritual experience. The Roman Church twisted this legacy into a tool of control and oppression.
Sources:
King, Karen L. What is Gnosticism?
Pagels, Elaine. Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas.
Conclusion
The so-called Gnostics were not heretics but the true founders of Christianity. Their beliefs, practices, and teachings represent an authentic spiritual tradition that was suppressed and vilified by the early Church. The orthodoxy we know today is a product of lies, manipulation, and violent suppression, designed to control the masses rather than liberate them. By revisiting the Gnostic legacy, we can reclaim the original message of Christianity—one of love, freedom, and spiritual enlightenment.
Let us not be enslaved by dogma. Seek the truth, for it is the truth that will set us free.
References:
Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels.
Meyer, Marvin. The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.
Thompson, Thomas L. The Mythic Past.
Ehrman, Bart D. Lost Christianities.
Finkelstein, Israel, and Silberman, Neil Asher. The Bible Unearthed.