THE GNOSTICS have a reputation for being elitist outsiders to Christianity.
Some commentators are saying they should be reassessed.
If we know the Gnostics at all, it is for having a reputation of being know-alls with essential knowledge for salvation which has been denied to outsiders or those who are deemed inferior.
However, in the period of Early Christianity many Christians of differing views formed rival groups. They, too, surely thought they knew everything and that others were out of favour with God.
The commentators also say the term Gnostics is inaccurate and should be abandoned. The term erroneously stands for groups with strongly differing views.
I asked a clergyman when I knew even less than now who were the Gnostics. He said, 'A sort of secret society.'
With the exception of a few hard-researching academics we have a long way to go to be fully informed.
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