The Nag Hamadi Ruins contain an ancient library of Gnostic Christian codices that were buried after Saint Athanasius condemned the use of non-canonical books in 367 AD.
Additional Information on Early Christian Sects:
Early Divisions (1st Century AD):
a. Jewish Christians: Originated in the Jewish communities where Jesus' early followers lived, mainly in the region of Judea and later spreading to other Jewish diaspora communities. Jewish Christians continued to observe Jewish customs and laws while recognizing Jesus as the Jewish Messiah.
b. Paul's Gentile Converts: originated in diverse Gentile communities located outside of Judea, primarily in cities throughout the expansive Roman Empire where the apostle Paul conducted his influential missionary journeys. Through his ministry, Paul extended the message of salvation, emphasizing faith in Jesus Christ, to non-Jewish (Gentile) communities. This led to significant changes in the Christian movement, as Gentile converts were allowed certain leniencies regarding the strict observance of Jewish laws and customs, including matters pertaining to Kosher laws and Circumcision. These controversial changes stirred up heated tensions between the Jewish and Gentile populations within the early Christian communities.
Nazarene Sect (1st Century AD):
Originated in Nazareth and other areas in Galilee, where Jesus spent a significant part of His life, and later spread to other Jewish communities. The Nazarenes maintained strong connections with Jewish customs and regarded Jesus as the Jewish Messiah.
Ebionite Sect (1st and 2nd Centuries AD):
The Ebionites primarily originated in Jewish communities in Judea and Galilee and later spread to other Jewish communities and diaspora locations. Some sources record that the Ebionites were descendants of the Jerusalem Christians that fled to Pella just prior to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Ebionites insisted on the continued observance of Jewish customs and laws for all followers of Jesus, including Gentile converts, and many rejected Paul's teachings.
Docetism Sect (1st and 2nd Centuries AD):
Docetism originated in various regions across the Roman Empire, with followers found in cities like Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch. Docetism taught that Jesus' human form was illusory and that He did not possess a physical body, emphasizing His purely divine nature.
Gnostic Sects (1st and 2nd Centuries AD):
Gnostic Christians originated from different regions across the Roman Empire, with significant Gnostic communities found in Alexandria (Egypt), Antioch (Syria), and parts of Asia Minor. Gnostic Christians emphasized secret knowledge (gnosis) for salvation, viewed the material world as inherently evil, and claimed to possess esoteric knowledge about Jesus and His teachings. (More on these groups below.)
Adomite Sect (2nd Century AD):
The Adomite sect emerged in Syria. The Adomites believed that Adam, the first human, was the true savior and that Jesus was merely a manifestation of Adam's spirit.
Elcesaites Sect (2nd Century AD):
The Elcesaite sect was founded in eastern parts of the Roman Empire, particularly in Mesopotamia and Persia (present-day Iraq and Iran), and in the regions around the Dead Sea. The Elkesaites blended elements of Jewish, Christian, and Gnostic beliefs and practiced communion and baptisms by immersion. It is believed that Elkesaites drew followers from the Essene community.
Marcionism Sect (2nd Century AD):
Founded by Marcion in Pontus, in a region in modern-day Turkey. Marcionism later spread to Rome and other parts of the Roman Empire. Summary: Marcionism rejected the Old Testament and believed in two opposing gods—one of judgment and law in the Old Testament, and the other of love and grace in the New Testament.
Montanism Sect (2nd Century AD):
Montanism originated in Phrygia, an area in modern-day Turkey, particularly in the region around Pepuza and Tymion, where the prophet Montanus lived and preached. The movement spread to other regions in the Roman Empire. Montanism claimed to receive direct revelations from the Holy Spirit, emphasized the imminent return of Christ, and promoted asceticism and strict moral living.
Novatianism Sect (3rd Century AD):
Novatianism emerged in Rome and later spread to other parts of the Roman Empire. Novatianists were followers of Novatian, a presbyter in Rome, who opposed the re-admittance of Christians who had lapsed during times of persecution. They advocated for a strict approach to church discipline and penance.
Collyridianism Sect (4th Century AD):
The Collyridian sect originated in Arabia and spread through parts of Asia Minor, particularly in present-day Turkey. Collyridianism centered around the veneration of the Virgin Mary to the point of offering her religious worship, which was contrary to mainstream Christian teachings at the time.
Trinitarian Sect (2nd - 4th Century AD):
The doctrine of the Trinity became a central tenet of Christian theology, beginning around 250 AD. While the concept has earlier influences, Origen, one of the early Christian fathers, provides the earliest known articulated description of this concept. In his writings, he used the Greek term "ousia" (substance) to categorize the nature of God, defining Him as "one genus of ousia while being three distinct species of hypostasis" (person, essence, nature, form).
The concept of the Trinity was particularly significant in the Judeo-Christian community due to the second commandment, which strictly forbids the worship of gods other than Jehovah. As a result, some perceived the worship of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as polytheistic, challenging the long-established monotheistic tradition of Judaism. The concept of the Trinity arose as an attempt to reconcile this perceived discrepancy, and it garnered support through a vote at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, held in present-day Iznik, Turkey. The Council officially adopted Trinitarianism as the Christian Church's policy. However, the issue remained highly controversial and sparked intense debates among various Christian communities across the Roman Empire for many years, sometimes leading to conflicts and bloodshed. Trinitarian Christianity affirms the belief in the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit—as three distinct persons in one divine essence. This belief became a defining element of orthodox Christian theology and played a significant role in shaping the course of Christian history.
Arianism Sect (2nd - 4th Century AD):
Arianism originated in Alexandria, Egypt, where Arius served as a presbyter and presented his controversial teachings. It later spread to other parts of the Roman Empire. Arianism was a significant theological movement in the early Christian church, named after its founder, Arius, a presbyter from Alexandria in the 4th century AD. Arianism challenged the orthodox Trinitarian doctrine by proposing a different understanding of the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ.
According to Arianism, Jesus Christ was not co-eternal or of the same divine essence (consubstantial) as God the Father. Instead, Arius taught that Jesus, as the Son of God, was a created being and had a beginning. Arius argued that there was a time when the Son did not exist and that the Father alone was truly God in the highest sense.
This view posed a direct challenge to the orthodox Trinitarian doctrine, which upheld the belief in the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit—as three distinct persons in one divine essence, co-eternal and consubstantial. Trinitarian Christians held that Jesus Christ was fully God and had always existed as an equal member of the Godhead, not a created being.
Arianism gained significant popularity and support, creating divisions and debates within the early Christian church. The controversy over the nature of Jesus Christ's divinity led to the calling of the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to address and resolve the dispute.
At the Council of Nicaea, the Trinitarian position, as articulated by Athanasius and others, prevailed, and the Nicene Creed was adopted. This creed firmly asserted the full divinity of Jesus Christ, stating that He is "begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father." Arianism was officially condemned as a heresy, and its adherents, including Arius, were excommunicated from the orthodox Christian community.
In the context of the Latter-day Saint (LDS) concept of the Godhead, there are some similarities and differences between Arianism and Trinitarianism. Like Arianism, LDS theology teaches that Jesus Christ is a separate being from God the Father and that He is the literal Son of God. However, unlike Arianism, the LDS doctrine of the Godhead affirms the eternal nature of Jesus Christ and His divine essence. In LDS theology, Jesus Christ is understood to be the literal Firstborn Son of God in the spirit, and He played a crucial role in the creation of the universe under the direction of God the Father.
Furthermore, LDS doctrine teaches that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are separate beings with distinct roles but united in purpose as the Godhead. While this view differs from orthodox Trinitarianism, which emphasizes their complete unity in one divine essence, it aligns with the LDS concept of the Godhead as three distinct divine beings working together in perfect harmony to bring about the salvation and exaltation of humankind.
Khan Academy
Early Christianity, The Spread of Christianity, Christianity in the Roman Empire, Arian Controversy and the Council of Nicaea
Various Gnostic Sects:
The Gnostic traditions emerged as a philosophical and religious movement during the early centuries of Christianity, influenced by various ancient religious and philosophical ideas, including elements from Jewish, Christian, Greek, and other mystical traditions. Gnosticism emphasized the acquisition of secret knowledge (gnosis) as the means to attain spiritual enlightenment and salvation.
The merging of Gnostic traditions with Christianity was a complex process that occurred over several centuries. Gnostic ideas and beliefs gradually infiltrated some Christian communities, particularly in regions with strong Hellenistic and prior Gnostic influences. Gnostic texts, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and the Gospel of Philip, appeared alongside the traditional Christian scriptures, creating a diverse range of beliefs and practices among early Christians.
Gnostic ideas were often popular among certain communities for several reasons:
Spiritual Appeal: Gnosticism offered a deeper understanding of spiritual matters and promised a direct, personal connection to the divine through secret knowledge. This mystical allure appealed to seekers of deeper spiritual experiences.
Inclusivity: Gnostic beliefs were open to a broader audience and were more accessible to individuals from different cultural and religious backgrounds, attracting a diverse range of followers.
Reinterpretation of Christian Teachings: Gnosticism provided alternative interpretations of Christian doctrines and stories, often incorporating ideas about the nature of the divine, the creation of the world, and the role of Jesus Christ.
Despite their popularity among certain groups, Gnostic traditions faced challenges and opposition:
Orthodoxy: Gnostic ideas contradicted mainstream Christian beliefs and challenged the emerging orthodox theology, especially the concept of the Trinity and the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Heresy and Exclusion: As the early Christian Church sought to define its orthodox beliefs, Gnostic teachings were deemed heretical, leading to their rejection and exclusion from mainstream Christian doctrine.
Suppression and Suppression: As the Orthodox Christian Church gained political power and influence, Gnostic writings and communities were suppressed and persecuted. Many Gnostic texts were destroyed or lost over time. The rediscovery of the famous Nag Hamadi texts provides us with several texts that were previously thought to be lost.
The eventual demise of Gnostic traditions can be attributed to several factors:
Institutionalization of Christianity: As Christianity became an established and institutionalized religion, it sought to unify its beliefs and practices under a coherent orthodoxy, leaving no room for alternative interpretations like Gnosticism.
Councils and Creeds: Ecumenical councils, such as the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, were convened to address theological disputes and to define orthodox Christian doctrine. These councils rejected Gnostic teachings and solidified the core beliefs of Trinitarian Christianity.
Political Power and Persecution: The Roman Empire's adoption of Christianity as its official religion further solidified the dominance of orthodox Christian beliefs, leading to the suppression and persecution of Gnostic communities and texts.
While Gnostic traditions eventually faded from prominence within mainstream Christianity, their influence continued to echo through history. In recent times, the discovery of ancient Gnostic texts, such as the Nag Hammadi Library, has led to renewed interest in Gnosticism and its impact on early Christian thought. Below are a few of the Gnostic traditions that developed during the first few centuries leading up to the codification of the Orthodox church.
Sethianism: one of the earliest gnostic groups, that originated in the early centuries in various regions across the Roman Empire, including Egypt, Syria, and Palestine. Sethianism was a Gnostic sect centered around the figure of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. Sethianism had a complex mythology and saw Seth as a divine figure who transmitted secret knowledge.
Simonians: originated in the early second century in Samaria and later spread to other parts of the Roman Empire. The Simonians allegedly followed Simon Magus, the sorcerer figure mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 8:9-24). They incorporated Gnostic elements into their belief system and believed in the existence of a supreme, unknowable God.
Basilideans: originated in Alexandria, Egypt. The Basilideans followed the teachings of Basilides, an Egyptian Gnostic teacher. They emphasized a complex system of emanations and aeons, which played a significant role in their cosmology.
Valentinianism: originated in the early 2nd century in Rome and later spread to other regions in the Roman Empire. Valentinianism was one of the most influential Gnostic sects, founded by Valentinus. They emphasized the idea of the Pleroma (the fullness of divine beings) and the role of Sophia (wisdom) in the process of emanation.
Bardaisanites: originated in Edessa, which is present-day Urfa in southeastern Turkey. The Bardaisanites were followers of Bardaisan, a Syrian Gnostic philosopher. They incorporated philosophical elements of Gnostic thought with a focus on creation, astrology, and cosmic determinism, in an effort to consolidate concepts pertaining to free will and fate, and how these principles relate to the laws of nature, God, and man.
Carpocratianism: originated in Alexandria, Egypt. The Carpocratians were followers of Carpocrates, a Gnostic teacher. They believed in the soul's reincarnation and sought to attain spiritual liberation through knowledge and experience. They viewed Jesus, not as a redeemer, but as an ordinary man who remembered his divine origin. They saw Christ as someone they could emulate rather than worship. They also practiced magic, and believed they could communicate with demonic spirits to exercise their power and superiority over them.
Nicolaitans: originated in the early Christian community in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The Nicolaitans were a Gnostic sect mentioned in the book of Revelation (Revelation 2:6, 2:15). Little is known about their specific beliefs, but they were criticized for advocating practices that promoted immorality and idolatry.
These Gnostic sects emerged during the early centuries of Christianity and spread to various regions in the Roman Empire, each contributing their unique perspectives and beliefs to the diverse landscape of Gnostic and Christian thought.
As we explore the diverse sects of Christianity and Philosophy, it becomes evident how confusion arose due to the abundance of information and misinformation circulating at the time. Amidst the chaos, distinguishing fact from fiction seemed almost impossible. In the aftermath of the apostles' deaths, the divergence of numerous factions led to a period known as the Great Apostasy—a prophesied inevitability, and a situation that many earnestly sought to prevent.
Although much was lost, much was also preserved. In the process of canonizing scripture and stalwart attempts to consolidate records and doctrine, a significant and important remnant was maintained, despite tremendous opposition and persecution. The conversion of Constantine marked a crucial turning point for the Christians, and this allowed the survivors to do the best they could with the remnants that remained. While there are many variations among the records and the communities who preserved them, it is vital to recognize that most were faithfully trying to do the best they could with what they had under very challenging circumstances.
Instead of criticizing our Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters for the inevitable deviations that occurred over time, we should be grateful for what they accomplished and admire their courageous and noble efforts in doing so. There is so much we can learn from one another as we embrace grace and tolerance in our shared pursuit of truth. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are truly fortunate to have modern-day Prophets and Apostles who provide clarity amidst the uncertainties, guiding us on the path of truth.
Likewise, we are immensely blessed to have the Book of Mormon, which serves as an additional witness to the Bible, enabling us to better and more accurately interpret and understand God's word and wisdom. Through the guidance of obedient and faithful Priesthood leaders and the inspiration that can come from both ancient and modern scripture, we can learn to navigate the complexities of history and theology, gaining greater insights and unity in our collective journey of faith and truth.
FYI for further investigation if desired:
Below is a list of some of the Gnostic writings that were in circulation. It's important to note that while these texts offer insight into the diverse ideas circulating during that time, they may not align with our understanding of gospel principles as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These writings often present unconventional and esoteric perspectives. Additionally, most of these writings were recorded in Coptic, and being modern translations of a language that went extinct, these translations have undergone multiple rounds of interpretation, making them very challenging to decipher accurately.
Secret Book of John (Apocryphon of John)
Gospel of Peter
Gospel of Matthias
Gnostic texts discovered at Nag Hamadi (Translations)
Corpus Hermeticum
Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit (The Gospel of the Egyptians) (Text)
These texts offer intriguing glimpses into the diverse beliefs and spiritual traditions of early Christian and Gnostic communities. However, readers should approach them with an understanding of their historical and cultural context and exercise caution in interpreting their teachings, as they may diverge significantly from the doctrines and principles found in the restored gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Very, very interesting. Excellent, well written summary of historical events and writings of early Christian sects. RLH