A once-banned movement makes comeback

Glenville Ashby, Contributor

Father Silvia spoke with the authority befitting his title, but not his age. Just 35 years, he is at the helm of a religious philosophy that the early Church crushed because of its so-called heretical doctrines. Father Silvia embraces gnosis, a term coined from the Greek etymology, meaning 'knowledge'.

Gnosticism is one of many early forms of Christianity that flourished after the death of Jesus. Another was Arianism. "Christianity was never monolithic after the crucifixion. But by the 4th century, Rome won out in the popularity contest, so to speak," Father Sylvia said in euphemistic terms, preferring not to elaborate on the hardline political engineering that formed the early Church that we now call mainstream Christianity.

Gnostics believe that union with the divine is experiential and personal, and does not require a rigid hierarchical structure. The exalted position of priests, bishops and popes were challenged. So, too, was the theology and dogma of the Church. The Gnostic version of Genesis is emblematic of the gulf that exists between the two Christian movements.

In mainstream Christianity, it is taught that the world was created in six days and we were made in the image and likeness of God. The Gnostic view is markedly different. Referring to the Secret Book of John, Father Silvia said: "Creation began with a series of emanations (aeons) and ended with the emergence of the demiurge who is really the creator of this world. Our spiritual responsibility and purpose in this life are to remove our blinders, awaken from our state of ignorance, and transcend the demiurge and his creation, including the Archons (Principalities and Powers)."

CHAOS and CONFUSION

It is profound philosophy, almost cryptic, pitting this supposedly spurious world with a more transcendental and sublime state. "The way in which this world was created by the demiurge explains the chaos and confusion that surrounds us. This world is a parody of the Divine." Admittedly, Father Silvia raised a provocative discourse that understandably would have invoked the ire of the early church fathers.

"We view Jesus as an exemplar who came to teach gnosis," Father Silvia noted. Interestingly, Gnosticism rejects Christian eschatology and gives little or no credence to its soteriological teachings that advocate redemption through the blood of Jesus.

"Vicarious atonement does not exist in our belief system. Salvation is only possible through applied wisdom and knowledge," was Father Silvia's response to the orthodox belief that Jesus is the saviour of the world and the only pathway to everlasting life.

Gnostics use the Bible and refer to the lives of saints in their teachings, but their scriptural scope is expansive. They endorse the teachings of the Gospel of Thomas, the Secret Book of John, Hypostasis of the Archons, the Gospel of the Egyptians, and Pistis Sophia, drawing heavily from the Nag Hammadi Library. Notably, these scriptures were once banned and burned.

STRUGGLED IN EARLY YEARS

However, the Book of Thomas, according to Father Silvia, is widely believed in many historical circles to be older than the canonical gospels. Regrettably, its teachings are unknown to the multitude because it was deliberately excised from Orthodox scriptures, along with many other books, due to the overriding political culture and mission of the Church that struggled for control and supremacy in its early years.

The hourlong service of the Gnostics bears the sacraments and liturgical accoutrements of the Roman or Orthodox Churches, but its emphasis is on the esoteric significance of the rituals.

Today, Gnosticism has seen a revival, of sorts. As the pastor of the Apostolic Johannite Church in Massachusetts and New York City, Father Silvia is buoyed by the demographic diversity of its new members. Social media has proven to be a boon for a once-ostracised religious movement. "We credit a spike in membership to the Internet and the major changes in media and communications over the years."

But Gnosis is also on the front burner because of growing disillusion with traditional religions and the shift towards spirituality and individual exploration and growth. Father Silvia concurred. "Before embracing Gnosticism, my search for spiritual truth and life's meaning was exhaustive. I knocked on many doors, Christian and non-Christian." But it was his reading of the bestselling book, The Da Vinci Code, that piqued his interest in Gnosticism.

While today's Gnostic Church is structured along traditional lines with minor and major orders, its overarching philosophy is rooted in individual study, personal edification and enlightenment.

Unlike the Roman Church, celibacy is not required for Gnostic priests, and ordination requires at least four years of mentorship that can be completed outside the strictures of a seminary. Concentrated study and performing spiritual exercises are mandatory for all members of the Church.

Clearly, for gnostics, the path to enlightenment is 'alchemical' or purifying. "It is road seldom travelled but the rewards are immeasurable," Father Silvia ended.

Dr Ashby is the president of the Global Interfaith Council, NYC. Feedback: glenvilleashbby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby.: