From: RFaussette@aol.com
Date: Mon Sep 29 2003 - 13:33:26 EDT
In a message dated 9/29/03 9:49:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
bnelson301@yahoo.com writes:
> In many gnostic sects, the purpose was to learn hidden
> knowledge (hence the name) that would literally allow
> you to escape the world upon death (passwords, etc.).
> So, the analogy is generally apt.
>
>
the gnosis is the self sacrifice - which is why there was such a resurgence
of gnostic philosophy with Jesus' death on the Cross - he performed the self
sacrifice in defiance of the temple - he actually demonstrated it although
most christians believe he did much more than demonstrate the gnosis.
there are no passwords for gnosticism - it's simply deciding to disregard the
self's preservation in favor of a higher motive - you're escaping the self,
not the world.
and that makes perfect ontological sense. in a world of subjects and
objects, escaping the subject makes the world of objects (God) your focus.
without the subject, who do you think becomes your immediate object in the
ontological universe?
The Catholic Encyclopedia: “In heaven, however, no creature will stand
between God and the soul. He himself will be the immediate object of its vision.
Scripture and theology tell us that the blessed see God face to face.”
The only creature the gnostic escapes is himself. when he does that, he is in
the presence of God if the Catholic statement above is correct. Of course,
the Roman Catholics had to reject the gnostics - if each man could commune
with God, there was no need of a priestly hierarchy. control was impossible.
also: what death are you talking about - the death of the 'self' or the death
of the physical body? are you sure you know which death the gnostics were
talking about?
rich faussette
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