Definition

A religious belief system from the early Christian era that emphasizes knowledge (gnosis) as the path to spiritual enlightenment, often viewing the material world as evil.

Example

Gnosticism was influential in shaping early Christian thought and has been studied by many theologians.

Conversation

Have you ever heard about gnosticism?

Yeah, I read a bit about it in a history class.

It's fascinating how it views matter as evil, right?

Definitely! It's interesting how those ideas influenced early Christianity.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gnosticism is derived from the Greek word "gnosis" (meaning knowledge) and the suffix "-ism" (indicating a practice or belief system). The term refers to a religious movement emphasizing esoteric knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.

Memory Tip

Think of 'gnosis' meaning knowledge, which helps you remember that Gnosticism is all about a belief system centered on special knowledge.

Visually Confused Words