Gnosticism – Historical Changes in the Understanding and Meaning of the System Cover Image

Gnosticizam – povijesne promjene razumijevanja i značenja sustava
Gnosticism – Historical Changes in the Understanding and Meaning of the System

Author(s): Mikolaj Martinjak
Subject(s): Metaphysics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Religion, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Hrvatsko Filozofsko Društvo
Keywords: Gnosticism; philosophy of Gnosticism; Nag Hammadi; heresy; Church;

Summary/Abstract: As a complex religious-philosophical phenomenon, Gnosticism has undergone significant changes in interpretation and understanding. While the Church Fathers offered polemical descriptions of Gnostic teachings, the medieval period associated Gnostic ideas with contemporary dualistic heresies. The nineteenth century marked the beginning of the systematic, academic study of Gnosticism. Unlike the earlier polemical approach, Gnosticism was now approached in an interdisciplinary manner. A key turning point occurred with the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library texts in 1945. These texts provided direct access to original Gnostic writings, stimulating a new era of research. Modern authors challenge traditional categorizations, emphasizing the complexity and diversity of Gnosticism. This article provides a brief historical overview of the evolution of the concept and phenomenon of Gnosticism.

  • Issue Year: 45/2025
  • Issue No: 04/180
  • Page Range: 599-610
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Croatian
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