Why Doctrine is Important for Gnostic Christians

**Why Doctrine Is Important for Gnostic Christians**  

**Welcome to Pleroma Pathways, apocalyptic and mystic Christianity, where we explore esoteric and apocalyptic texts.**  

Many people today claim that Gnosticism is "post-doctrinal" and that doctrine or dogma belongs to Orthodox Christianity. However, this view does not align with classical Gnosticism. Valentinian cosmology, for instance, is highly structured and doctrinal, reflecting the early Gnostic understanding that doctrine is essential. Some modern Gnostics tend to reject the importance of doctrine, believing that rigid teachings hinder spiritual insight. However, for the ancient Gnostics, doctrine was critical because cosmology (the study of the creation of the universe) determines anthropology (the study of humanity in relation to God). The way we understand the cosmos directly shapes how we see ourselves as human beings.  

The word *doctrine* comes from the Latin *doctrina*, meaning "teaching" or "instruction." This concept is found throughout the New Testament:  

*"Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge (*gnosis*), or by prophesying, or by doctrine?"* (1 Corinthians 14:6)  

The Greek word for *doctrine* here is *διδαχή* (*didachē*), which means instruction. It comes from *διδάσκω* (*didaskō*), meaning "to teach." Other related words include *διδασκαλία* (*didaskalia*), meaning "learning" or "teaching," and *ἑτεροδιδασκαλέω* (*heterodidaskaleō*), which means "to teach a different doctrine," implying deviation from the truth.  

**Finding the Meaning of Jesus’ Secret Teachings Brings Eternal Life**  

Gnosticism emphasizes discovering the hidden meaning in Jesus’ words. The Gospel of Thomas states:  

*"These are the hidden sayings that the living Jesus spoke and that Didymus Judas Thomas wrote down. And he said, 'Whoever finds the correct interpretation of these sayings will never die.'"* (Gospel of Thomas, Saying 1, trans. Stevan Davies)  

The text suggests that Jesus’ sayings contain symbolic meanings that must be correctly interpreted. This aligns with the idea that there is only one correct doctrine, as stated in *The Second Treatise of the Great Seth*:  

*"And he is entirely one, being the All with them all in a single doctrine, because all these are from a single spirit. O unseeing ones, why did you not know the mystery rightly?"* (*The Second Treatise of the Great Seth*)  

Likewise, *The Book of Thomas (The Contender)* affirms the importance of doctrine:  

*"Again the Savior answered and said, 'Therefore it is necessary for us to speak to you, since this is the doctrine of the perfect. If, now, you desire to become perfect, you shall observe these things; if not, your name is "Ignorant," since it is impossible for an intelligent man to dwell with a fool...'"* (*The Book of Thomas, the Contender*)  

This passage emphasizes that correct teaching is necessary for spiritual perfection. Those who reject doctrine are called "ignorant."  

The same text continues:  

*"Then Jesus continued and said to them, 'Woe to you, for you did not receive the doctrine, and those who are [...] will labor at preaching [...]. And you are rushing into [...] will send them down [...] you kill them daily in order that they might rise from death.'"* (*The Book of Thomas, the Contender*)  

Here, Jesus condemns those who reject correct doctrine, showing that doctrinal understanding is not optional but necessary for true Gnostic Christians.  

**Disputes Over Doctrine in the Nag Hammadi Texts**  

From the Nag Hammadi texts, it is clear that early Gnostic Christians debated doctrine. These disputes centered on the nature of Jesus, the resurrection, and salvation.  

In *Melchizedek*, we find evidence of doctrinal disagreements:  

*"Furthermore, they will say of him that he is unbegotten, though he has been begotten, (that) he does not eat, even though he eats, (that) he does not drink, even though he drinks, (that) he is uncircumcised, though he has been circumcised, (that) he is unfleshly, though he has come in the flesh, (that) he did not come to suffering, <though> he came to suffering, (that) he did not rise from the dead, <though> he arose from the dead."* (*Melchizedek*)  

This passage highlights various conflicting teachings about Jesus, showing that doctrine was actively debated.  

Similarly, *The Gospel of Philip* discusses disputes about resurrection:  

*"Some people are afraid that they may arise from the dead naked, and so they want to arise in flesh. They do not know that it is those who wear the [flesh] who are naked. Those who are [able] to take it off are not naked."*  

*"Flesh [and blood will] not inherit God’s kingdom." What is this flesh that will not inherit? It is what we are wearing. And what is this flesh that will inherit? It is the flesh and blood of Jesus.*  

*"For this reason he said, 'One who does not eat my flesh and drink my blood does not have life within.' What does this mean? His flesh is the word and his blood is the holy spirit. Whoever has received these has food, drink, and clothing."*  

*"And I also disagree with others who say that the flesh will not arise. Both views are wrong. You say that the flesh will not arise? Then tell me what will arise, so we may salute you. You say it is the spirit in the flesh, and also the light in the flesh? But what is in the flesh is the word, and what you are talking about is nothing other than flesh. It is necessary to arise in this sort of flesh, since everything exists in it."* (*The Gospel of Philip*)  

This passage demonstrates the importance of correct doctrinal understanding, particularly regarding resurrection. The text corrects misunderstandings, reaffirming that doctrine plays a vital role in Gnostic belief.  

**Conclusion**  

The idea that Gnosticism is "post-doctrinal" is a modern misconception. Classical Gnostics were deeply concerned with doctrine, as seen in the Valentinian system and other Nag Hammadi texts. Doctrine is necessary because it shapes our understanding of cosmology, anthropology, and salvation. The Gospel of Thomas teaches that correct interpretation leads to eternal life, and *The Second Treatise of the Great Seth* speaks of a "single doctrine" from a "single spirit." *The Book of Thomas* warns against ignoring doctrine, while *The Gospel of Philip* and *Melchizedek* highlight doctrinal disputes about Jesus and resurrection.  

From these texts, it is clear that doctrine was essential for early Gnostic Christians. It provided structure, clarity, and a means of distinguishing truth from falsehood. For modern Gnostic Christians, doctrine remains just as important, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of Jesus' teachings and the nature of reality.

Why Doctrine is Important for Gnostic Christians 

Many People seem to think that being a Gnostic is Post Doctrinal claiming "Gnostic Is Not about Doctrines! That’s Orthodox."

Well Valentinian Cosmology is pretty complicated doctrinal things and some modern Gnostics have a tendency to think that Gnosticism is post doctrinal and that dogma and doctrine are bad things but to the classical Gnostics they were important and and for us as modern Gnostics they're important because cosmology (Cosmogony is the study of the creation of the universe.) determines anthropology (Christian anthropology is the study of the human ("anthropology") as it relates to God) our view of mankind.

Doctrine (from Latin: doctrina, meaning "teaching" or "instruction")

1Co 14:6  Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge <1108 gnosis>, or by prophesying, or by doctrine <1322>?

1322. διδαχή didache [did-akh-ay’]; from 1321; instruction (the act or the matter): —  doctrine, hath been taught.

1321. διδάσκω didasko [did-as’-ko]; a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb δαω dao (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application): —  teach.

1319. διδασκαλία didaskalia [did-as-kal-ee’-ah]; from 1320; instruction (the function or the information): —  doctrine, learning, teaching.

1319. διδασκαλία didaskalia [did-as-kal-ee’-ah]; from 1320; instruction (the function or the information): — doctrine, learning, teaching.

2085 ἑτεροδιδασκαλέω heterodidaskaleo [het-er-od-id-as-kal-eh’-o]

from 2087 and 1320; v; TDNT-2:163,161; [{See TDNT 190 }]

AV-teach other doctrine 1, teach otherwise 1; 2

1) to teach other or different doctrine

1a) deviating from the truth

1321. διδάσκω didasko [did-as’-ko]; a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb δαω dao (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application): — teach.

Finding the meaning of Jesus's secret teachings brings eternal life  

These are the hidden sayings that the living Jesus spoke and that Didymus Judas Thomas wrote down.
1. And he said, "Whoever finds the correct interpretation of these sayings will never die." (Translated by Stevan Davies)

The hidden or secret sayings are in signs or signified the sayings, they are symbolical that is why we are told to find the correct interpretation of these sayings. (Cp. Saying 63) 

There can be only one true correct interpretation of these sayings it is called  single doctrine in the Second Treatise of the Great Seth:

And he is entirely one, being the All with them all in a single doctrine, because all these are from a single spirit. O unseeing ones, why did you not know the mystery rightly? (The Second Treatise of the Great Seth)

The Nag Hammadi Library The Book of Thomas (the Contender)

Again the savior answered and said, "Therefore it is necessary for us to speak to you, since this is the doctrine of the perfect. If, now, you desire to become perfect, you shall observe these things; if not, your name is 'Ignorant', since it is impossible for an intelligent man to dwell with a fool, for the intelligent man is perfect in all wisdom. To the fool, however, the good and bad are the same - indeed the wise man will be nourished by the truth and (Ps. 1:3) "will be like a tree growing by the meandering stream" - seeing that there are some who, although having wings, rush upon the visible things, things that are far from the truth. For that which guides them, the fire, will give them an illusion of truth, and will shine on them with a perishable beauty, and it will imprison them in a dark sweetness and captivate them with fragrant pleasure. And it will blind them with insatiable lust and burn their souls and become for them like a stake stuck in their heart which they can never dislodge. And like a bit in the mouth, it leads them according to its own desire. And it has fettered them with its chains and bound all their limbs with the bitterness of the bondage of lust for those visible things that will decay and change and swerve by impulse. They have always been attracted downwards; as they are killed, they are assimilated to all the beasts of the perishable realm."

Thomas answered and said, "What have we to say in the face of these things? What shall we say to blind men? What doctrine should we express to these miserable mortals who say, "We came to do good and not curse," and yet claim, "Had we not been begotten in the flesh, we would not have known iniquity"?"

Then Jesus continued and said to them, "Woe to you, for you did not receive the doctrine, and those who are [...] will labor at preaching [...]. And you are rushing into [...] will send them down [...] you kill them daily in order that they might rise from death.

For it was ludicrous. It is I who bear witness that it was ludicrous, since the archons do not know that it is an ineffable union of undefiled truth, as exists among the sons of light, of which they made an imitation, having proclaimed a doctrine of a dead man and lies so as to resemble the freedom and purity of the perfect assembly, (and) <joining> themselves with their doctrine to fear and slavery, worldly cares, and abandoned worship, being small (and) ignorant, since they do not contain the nobility of the truth, for they hate the one in whom they are, and love the one in whom they are not. For they did not know the Knowledge of the Greatness, that it is from above and (from) a fountain of truth, and that it is not from slavery and jealousy, fear and love of worldly matter. For that which is not theirs and that which is theirs they use fearlessly and freely. They do not desire, because they have authority, and a law from themselves over whatever they will wish. (The Second Treatise of the Great Seth)

It sufficed for some persons to pay attention to the teaching and understand 'The Shepherds' and 'The Seed' and 'The Building' and 'The Lamps of the Virgins' and 'The Wage of the Workers' and 'The Double Drachma' and 'The Woman (Apocryphon of James)

From these texts we can see a strong emphasis on doctrine or teaching

From The Nag Hammadi Library we can see disagreements over doctrine. These disputes are about the nature of Jesus, the resurrection,

Melchizedek From The Nag Hammadi Library Translated by Søren Giversen and Birger A. Pearson

Furthermore, they will say of him that he is unbegotten, though he has been begotten, (that) he does not eat, even though he eats, (that) he does not drink, even though he drinks, (that) he is uncircumcised, though he has been circumcised, (that) he is unfleshly, though he has come in the flesh, (that) he did not come to suffering, <though> he came to suffering, (that) he did not rise from the dead, <though> he arose from the dead.

The Gospel of Philip

Naked and Not Naked


Some people are afraid that they may arise from the dead naked, and so they want to arise in flesh. They do not know that it is those who wear the [flesh] who are naked. Those who are [able] to take it off are not naked.

“Flesh [and blood will] not inherit God’s kingdom.” What is this flesh that will not [57] inherit? It is what we are wearing. And what is this flesh that will inherit? It is the flesh and blood of Jesus.

For this reason he said, “One who does not eat my flesh and drink my blood does not have life within.” What does this mean? His flesh is the word and his blood is the holy spirit. Whoever has received these has food, drink, and clothing.

And I also disagree with others who say that the flesh will not arise. Both views are wrong. You say that the flesh will not arise? Then tell me what will arise, so we may salute you. You say it is the spirit in the flesh, and also the light in the flesh? But what is in the flesh is the word, and what you are talking about is nothing other than flesh. It is necessary to arise in this sort of flesh, since everything exists in it.

In this world those who wear clothes are superior to the clothes. In heaven’s kingdom the clothes are superior to those who wear them.