Was Jesus a Gnostic?

[A. Ben-Shema]

Was Jesus a Gnostic?

First we must define what a genuine Gnostic is. The word comes from ancient Greek (Gnosis), and means Divine (i.e. Mystical / Spiritual) 'experiential' KNOWLEDGE of God (i.e. the “Supreme Power”, or the “ALL”). Thus a genuine Gnostic is one who has such “first-hand” Divine KNOWLEDGE of God (N.B. NOT mere 'beliefs', traditions, dogmas, and 'theories'!).

The question is: was Jesus, Himself, a Gnostic? If what we are told in the Bible is actually true, then obviously Jesus must have been a Gnostic (i.e. having Divine 'Knowledge' of God), as must all the other great Prophets and Masters of the Hebrew Bible – not to mention the many other great Masters such as Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, Zoroaster, Nanak, etc. etc. (if their scriptures are also true).

To believe that God would only reveal Himself to one ‘ethnic clan’ (or ‘race’) of people (i.e. the Hebrews / Jews) demonstrates the typical blindness and ignorance of religion! It is claimed that the “Israelites” are the “chosen people of God.” This claim is, indeed, true – but again we have to understand what this name or “title” actually means in the ancient Hebrew. The term ISRAEL comes from three Hebrew roots: ’ish (= a Spiritual 'being' / 'human'); ra’eh (= 'seeing' / 'vision'); and ’el (= 'God' / 'Supreme Spirit'). Thus, when put together, the word (Is-ra-el) means: “Spiritual one(s) who SEE God.” From this explanation it should be quite obvious that the term does not apply to any particular ‘race’ or ‘clan’ of people, but to ALL those who SEE, and thus KNOW God, i.e. all genuine Gnostics / Mystics! So certainly the true ‘Israelites’ (Seers / Gnostics) are indeed the "chosen people of God"!


Peace, Love, & Understanding :)

[deviadah]

If we assume that Jesus was a real man then I would think he'd be a gnostic, although he might not have called himself that. What we do know, though, is that Jesus was NOT a Christian by name... it would be the same as if I would call myself a deviadahian!

:cool:

[m1thr0s]

I have to say that my own personal involvement with Xst is only by way of those who claim to have a *personal relationship* with him, which always struck me as rather odd considering the kinds of conflicting (and often ignorant) conduct they routinely exhibit. I have no such personal relationship and seek none, but I do have an academic curiosity regarding the myth.

It seems evident to me that Xst was shuttled off at an early age to be educated and raised under one or another mystical sects. Some assert the Essenes but I doubt this personally...I suspect he went into deeper hiding than this which in any case would have been the first thing expected of those authorities seeking to obliterate him. Rather, I believe he was raised in India under the tutelage of transcendental masters in that country.

His teachings all reflect this and it would also have been recognized and considered heretical by traditional judaic standards of the day. By the definitions set forth above this might very well make him a "gnostic", since in this tradition one is only considered qualified to teach who has himself attained to some recognizable measure of enlightenment.

m1thr0s

[Catalytic Subterfuge]

My latest research suggests him being raised to the Xst conscience by the ancient White Lodge and, since he disregarded the need for intermediaries to cosmic conscience (god) he was hated by all in the priesthood and was exiled. Northern India is the most logical place m1. There are others that suggest to be raised to the Xst degree, he had to study many of the known spiritual paths and could have traveled extensively. I believe today's "Christians" could not be further from the TRUTH he taught! Having said that, I want to clarify I am not a follower of Jesus the Xst, although an admirer perhaps as he was brilliant in his thinking.

[m1thr0s]

Certainly Herod would not have ventured as far as India since Rome would not have backed him that far. He would have been given license to do anything he wanted in his own backyard, so far as Rome was concerned. It would have been the most logical sanctuary of that time & place. What exactly is the "White Lodge" CS? I don't seem to have heard of it...perhaps only distantly...

m1thr0s

[Catalytic Subterfuge]

The White Lodge, was the rudimentary foundation of the Rosicrucian Order. I've heard it described many ways. From what I've read recently, the White Lodge beget out of the English Isles (Atlantis) and culminated the teaching of the Egyptians etc. One of the neat things about that is that they claim the pyramids at Giza are actually temples where the Xst degree was performed and others. This later became the foundation of the Rosicrucians after the the exile from Egypt. Here is a website that talks a bit more in depth about the White Lodge, however, I can neither confirm nor deny its content. http://www.theosophical.ca/WhiteLodgeAB.htm

[Catalytic Subterfuge]

Coincidentally, there is some speculation that Master Jesus the Xst, lived to the ripe old age of 80+ and was buried the tomb of Saint Issa in Srinagar, Kashmir. Just thought I'd add that little bit.

[Catalytic Subterfuge]

The formal name for the White Lodge is not certain. It would perhaps translate as the Circle of Light, and the member were perhaps known as the Sons of Light.

[m1thr0s]

Ok...Blavatsky's Stuff then...Venusians etc. I have no way to know exactly how to believe any of that and their time-lines don't make it easy. It has generated some pretty good folklore at least. I always get the distinct impression of being told what I want to hear with that stuff though which makes me all the more distrustful...

Still...interesting legend...thanks for the clarification.

m1thr0s

[Catalytic Subterfuge]

Time-lines ARE tricky for sure. My best source is M. Dale Palmer. He has written and couple books on the subject, and, I actually spoke with him today on the phone. Not that it has any bearing on any of this, however, I give him uber cudos for doind a ton of leg work regarding Esoteric Traditoin.

[m1thr0s]

yeah...and there's the rub really...the legend (if we are justified in calling it that) seems to have given rise to a great deal of pragmatic fact-finding, so I am hesitant to dismiss it off-handishly simply because it seems to be generating a lot of very good work.

And in any case, we always have this paradox to sort out with belief systems anyway. Even more technical methodologies such as the Abra system itself rely upon the creative faculty as the mobilizing force that sets everything in motion. So it is actually possible to work within the framework of even a known fairy tale, so long as it resonates in a way balanced enough to encourage and support a wholly conscious reality orientation.

I have studied this principle a great deal...even science...at the creative level, or the exploratory level, has to acknowledge this curious paradox. The problem is never really *belief* but belief that exempts itself from a greater overriding responsibility to truth.

m1thr0s

[Catalytic Subterfuge]

"...and the Truth shall set you free..." or something like that. I've often postulated that we ALL KNOW the Truth! Remembering it, however, seems to be a more tedious task than I anticipated.