Now I am no expert so I may be wrong on these definitions. If anyone would like to correct me on this definitions or add on feel welcome to. I write these definitions down because we use a lot of Christian terminology that may be unclear or completely new to new seekers or even people that have been practicing Christianity their entire lives. I want to help those that would like to be part of our community and what better way than to help people know what the hell we are talking about. lol.
Sin - English word that is a common translation of two words, a Hebrew word, "het", which means "to err" (no implications of moral evil) and a Greek archery term that literally means "missing the mark". It refers to a state of being that is away from God and actions that are contrary to agape and draw us away from God. Different denominations have different interpretations of what actions constitute sin, but all Christians can agree that one of the essences of God that is universally recognized is Agape, thus any actions that is in violation of Agape will draw us away from God.
Original Sin - The state of being that we all start at as being separated from God. Both mainstream Christians and particular Christian Gnostic sects agree that this state exists and it is not something that is inherently wrong with the person, it's just assumed to be a fact of life. It's an explanation for why we are not connected with God, and specifically in the gnostic tradition why we are ignorant of God being within us. It's nothing more. The exact cause of Original Sin is debatable between Christian Gnostics and mainline Christians because of the acceptance of differing creation stories. In various Christian denominations, it is believed that the sacrament of Baptism is required to remove this state from our core, others believe that the acceptance of Jesus through is sufficient to remove it. I personally believe that once you recognize that God is within you, then Original Sin has been removed.
Total Depravity/Arminianism - Derived from St. Augustine writings about Original Sin, but it takes Original Sin one step further. It sums up to meaning that Original Sin was so devastating on the human condition that we are incapable on our own to receive salvation and an outside Divine force must intervene on our behalf before we can receive the gift of salvation. Most Protestant denominations such as the Methodist, Calvanist, and Lutherans subscribe to this doctrine. I personally do not because of very negative and destructive implications that can be extrapolated from this doctrine about one's self and others.
Agape - Literally translates to "love" but it is not romantic love or the love that friends share for each other. It is the love that siblings or family members share for each other, also refers to the concept of unconditional love that a parent has for their children. A compassion that is given that expects nothing in return. When Christ talks about loving your neighbor as yourself or love the lord your God, this is the love that he is referring to. I will use this word quite frequently when talking about God rather than love because the closest equivalent in English is unconditional love but even that doesn't truly encompass the meaning of agape also
razz I'm lazy and if I can type a 5 lettered word to convey a better idea than an 17 letter, two word equivalent then I'm going to do it.
Gnosis - Literally means "to know on an experiential level". Basically you know because you have experienced it. In most of Christianity, save the Eastern Orthodox, it has unfortunately become a "dirty word", but it is central to being able to talk of God rather than about God. In Christian theology it is describes the knowledge of knowing God on a personal level. Any group that talks about developing a relationship with Christ, being filled with the Holy Spirit, Seeing the Light,... is essentially talking about this kind of knowledge. Any religious group that requires this knowledge for salvation, is gnostic in it's nature, since mainstream Christian theology does not require this for salvation. I believe (and know, but that is on an experiential level and I cannot provide empirical evidence of this, so to avoid disagreement I say believe) that gnosis is freely available to all who seek it. I do not think I am anymore special than anyone else because I know my God, and I recognize that we are all children of God, meaning when I communicate with you, I am also communicating with God.
Faith - It is a form of trust. It does not imply blindly believing and denying empirical objective reality but trusting an answer is there based on and reinforced by an understanding of empirical objective reality. In the Christianity, it is a trust that following a life like Jesus lived, a life of Agape, will lead to us to knowing God and/or salvation form the sin.
Salvation - Being assured a place in the Kingdom of Heaven and overcoming the separation of sin. Various Christian denominations will have different answers on this issue. Some say it is by God's grace, some by accepting Christ in your life and having faith in him, and others say gnosis is required. It is not my place to speak on that which I do not know or only know an inkling about.
Holy Spirit - Many people get confused by this term because it is only briefly talked about in the Bible. The Holy Spirit can best be described as a person or mask (differences depend if your a trinitarian, modalist, or believe in emanations) of God that speaks through those that are talking of God. The Holy Spirit is not limited to Christianity but talks through anyone that lives and promotes a life of Agape, one of the essences I recognize as being of my God. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us to Christ.
Trinitarian - One who believes that God is three persons The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each aspect is a unique individual but all the individuals are each God and together as God. The old adage of a shamrock is the classic description, each person is a leaf but all the leafs are a shamrock.
Modalism - The theological doctrine that all three persons of God are one in the same. Thus the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit are the same person and God. This is one of the Non-trinitarian views.
Emanations - The concept that there are beings that are God, Aeons, that are begotten from God, since they are begotten they are aspects of God but they each Aeon is an individual and Aeons can begot other Aeons thus creating other aspects of God. Kinda like the trinity but not limited to 3 persons.
Forgiveness - The guaranty that we can have peace of mind if we sin. We're human, since we believe(or for some of us know) that God is Agape, we're going to screw up along the way. This does not mean a permissiveness to continue violating Agape but that just because we screw up doesn't mean that we cannot pick ourselves up along the way. It is an encouragement to continue following and living a life of Agape and the it would be best to share agape by taking responsibility for our mistakes and trying to correct it the best we humanly can, i.e. love your neighbor as yourself.
Orthodoxy - Literally meaning "right thought." Orthodoxy is very critical to understanding and following Agape because without the right frame of thinking, we will not be able to recognize for ourselves when we are committing sins. Different traditions of Christianity have their opinions about what is orthodox, but it is all for the reason stated previously. This particular Church has an orthodoxy in our creed but we do not require our members to adhere strictly to it due to our varying understandings of God but it is to declare our collective and official stance of what we believe to be orthodox as Christian Gnostics.
Heresy - Literally meaning "choose." Heresy is thoughts that deviate from what is considered Orthodox about Christianity according apostolic traditions of Christianity or in the Protestant Churches lies about God. A gnostic is a heretic and Gnosticism is considered a major heresy in mainstream churches due to the fact that we use text that are not part of Cannon, what historical gnosticism believes to be required for salvation, accused of not following the same God as the mainstream churches. I would say that both definitions of heresy are accurate even from a Gnostic perspective. It is thoughts that make us deviate away from God and when we actively promote a way of life that is in violation of Agape. I would stress though that we not focus on this topic too much because it will distract us from our own spiritual journey since it puts us at risk of judging others, which Christ, I believe to be agape incarnate, has asked us not to do.
Demiugre - A Greek word literally meaning "craftsman". First conceived in Platonism as the imperfect creator of this world, modeling it after the Heavens the best he could. Not viewed as evil or malevolent but misguided and incapable of truly modeling the heavens, since this being is limited and imperfect. He rules the world, knows that he is not God but keeps us thinking that he is because has some idea about who God is, though he himself is unable to know God. In Gnosticism, he still has the same role but his nature is often viewed as malevolent due to his imperfection and desire to rule and there is scripture to promote this view. Others Gnostic groups see this being as the Platonist and Neo-platonist do and there is scripture to support this view as well. Names he is referred to as include Yaldaboth, Samael, Saklas, YHWH,... the list is long. As we each have God inside of us, we each have Demiugre that is constantly crafting our views and opinions from before we know God and even afterwards. He will create archons to keep him occupied and reinforce the idea that he is in control. Gnosticism is about overcoming the Demiugre and the world he creates through gnosis.
Archon - A Greek word literally meaning "Ruler". Archons are created by the Demiurge to reinforce his rule and keep us thinking the Demiugre is God. Archons are anything that keeps us connected to the World and connected to thinking that the Demiugre is God. As Gnostics we become of the various things that rule us and reinforce the Demiugre and we are continuously learning how to overcome them. Not all Archons are evil. Some are necessary for survival (Eating, breathing, sleep, sex... I don't know about you but I could not physically live without food, breathing, sleep and I want to have kids in the future.), those Archons are overcome by accepting that they are there but they don't rule or define who you are (though that is just my opinion on that matter, I'm open to new ideas).
Antitheisis - A combination Greek word meaning "against position". In Christianity, there are two subjects that are referred to as such. 1) In Matthew 5, The Sermon on the Mount, there are six statements where he offers a position that is counter (and above) to the Mosaic Law. 2) It refers to a document written by Marcion contrasting the Old Testament (the Tanahk) with the New Testament (Marcion's Bible).
I have tried to give as unbiased explanation of these definitions as I can but I know I have probably colored my opinion in there. I will try to explain any terminology that I can and everyone on this board should feel free to help me add on to this list. I'm open to suggestions on editing any of these definitions if they do not ring true.
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