In the 59 minute video below, Dr. Peter Jones explains gnosticism, ancient and modern. He identifies numerous, seemingly separate movements, that are connected beneath the surface by a spiritual stream that is believed to connect all religions, the perennial philosophy, another name for gnosticism; which holds that there is a secret esoteric knowledge that connects all religions.
Jones discusses the discovery of the gnostic texts of Nag Hammadi and their interpretation in terms of how these fit into this oneness movement. In the process, he explains the derogatory view that followers of the perennial philosophy have towards Yahweh and their rationale; he uses the following scripture text, Isa 45:18 … I am the LORD; and there is none else, to show how perennials degrade the God of the Bible.
Before the midpoint of the lecture, he also ties Naomi Goldenberg’s words and mindset into this movement.
If you have been following this series, then his lecture will provide you with a few more puzzle pieces, a fuller understanding of this huge current cultural movement, enabling you to more fully understand the chaos around you and the antagonism directed at the church, an antagonism that comes from many quarters of this pagan movement.
STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Dr. Peter Jones’ books: The Other Worldview; and The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back. The latter overlaps somewhat, but could also be considered a valuable resource in enabling one to more fully understand this new (ancient) worldview that is emerging in the western world.
My post on yoga, as eastern meditation is common to all of the seemingly separate streams of this movement. It seems that the spirit guides sought in TM, Hindu meditation… lead practitioners to the same place, the oneist worldview, pantheism, the perennial philosophy…. Jones makes the point often, that there are only two worldviews, oneism (pantheism, with its inherent divine spark wherein one might become deity) and twoism (the belief that God is separate from His creation). In the video by Caryl Matrisciana in my Yoga post, she also states that there are only two worldviews and she explains her rational.
This series on Paganism seeks to reveal some of the many aspects of this new emerging worldview. I have sought to show as many different faces of this paganistic movement as I can with videos. There remain a few, yet, to present.
WARNING to trendy Christians who seek, like the emergent church movement, (or whatever they are calling it today) to find some new way to worship God, to feel His presence…you are on dangerous ground. The gnostic movement offers such a way: feelings and experiences are emphasized. And emergents are imbibing in eastern meditation to arrive at those desired ends. The Emergent Church must be considered part of this gnostic movement. In one of my posts on Beth Moore, I noted how she promoted an intro dvd for eastern meditation; in doing that, she promoted the chief vehicle of the gnostic movement to Christians as a new way to encounter God. Those following such paths, do not understand that feelings and experiences may very well derive from studying doctrine and learning about the God of the Bible via reading His word. Those could be considered part of His blessing for such worship: the apostle Peter experienced Christ’s transformation; the apostle Paul was carried into the third heaven, they were busy following Christ, not inventing new ways to worship.