* various sects, mainly
of Christian inspiration, which arose and flourished in the 2nd cent. with
offshoots which survived into the 5th cent. The name derives from the Gr. word gnosis, knowledge, but it was usually
used by the Gnostics in the sense of "revelation" which gave them
certain mystic knowledge for salvation which others did not possess. It was
essentially based on oriental Dualism, the existence of two worlds, good and evil,
the divine and the material. The body was regarded as the enemy of the
spiritual life. In most Gnostic systems there were seven world-creating powers,
in a few their place was taken by one Demiurge. Christ was the final and
perfect aeon. The Gnostic movement caused the Christian Church to develop its
organisation and doctrinal discipline. See also Manichaens, Marcionites. [BD]
¿ 15.04.94 Zu
