What Is Gnosticism - Essay Example

It is possible to narrow down the most common characteristics to help define the Gnostics as a whole. These characteristics include (n.a., “Characteristics Features of Gnosticism”): “1. Preoccupation with the Problem of evil.  2. Sense of alienation from the world. 3. Desire for special and intimate knowledge of the secrets of the universe. 4. Dualism 5. Cosmology 6. Anthropology. 7. Radically realized eschatology 8. Ethical implications” The earliest evidence of Gnosticism's growing influence over Christianity can be found quite strongly in the letter of Paul in the New Testament.

In his letters, it would seem that the basic ideas of Gnosticism were being laid out as part of the foundation for the church through the letters of Paul to Timothy and Titus (Flowers, “Tag Archives: Gnosticism in the New Testament”).  It is easy to understand why most modern people find Gnosticism appealing and fascinating. The reason lies behind the fact that people tend to gravitate towards what they are told is either illegal or untrue. More especially so in the case of the Gnostics wherein, the believers think themselves special because they supposedly possess a special knowledge about God that others do not understand.

Another reason is that they have their own doubts about the religious beliefs being touted by their churches that leads them to seek answers in the study of other religions and theological beliefs.