In Reply to: Re: Most of your advice good posted by rgg2201473 on December 29, 2003 at 15:07:31:
Just not impressed. I've read the interesting gospel of Thomas so-called, actually not a gospel since it's only a collection of logos (sayings) and not a story in any sense of the word.
Gnosticism was simply a Greek world-view trying to take over the newly emerging Christian faith, creating a kind of syncretism of Greek mystery religions (that promote 'hidden knowledge' and esoteric secrets as being the key) and the Gospel. John addressed this gnosticism in his 3 minor epistles and made a special point of refuting gnostic attempts to make inroad, by several very pointed comments in his Gospel. Note chapter one for example.
I refuse to beleive Gnostic teaching that this world and all physical matter is evil & that only some kind of 'secret knowledge' that only an initiated few know, can save me.