SecretChristianity

From what sources do we know about Gnosticism?

Secrets
NEW REVISED EDITION JUST OUT!

More archeological photography

Scriptural text from the The Gospel of Judas

An expanded look at Mary Magdalene by the ancient text called: Pistis Sophia

A deeper understanding of religious complexes in relation to religious
narcissism

More glossary terms

More commentaries and information about scripture from Church Father
Eusebius, Church Father Origen, Huston Smith, and Billy Graham

A deeper understanding about Gnosis and Salvation for oneself

A new section on how Gnostic Christians have been misunderstood

And so much more!

By JOSEPH LANCASTER, PSY.D.

Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code is a bestseller book that shines a light on my new book called, THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE: HOLY OR UNHOLY? Why so? It brings up the early Gnostic Christian gospels.

The purpose of this book is to help devout mainstream Christians (meaning for the purposes of this book Eastern Russian/Greek/Coptic Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestants [Fundamentalists including Evangelicals and Pentecostals]), who are ready, to begin to know their Christian history, consider research, see archeological findings, to understand the secrets that are within their tradition, to increase psychological consciousness, and transpersonally to develop a unity with Jesus Christ. For these important things to happen, the importance of a rare and almost unknown form of authentic Christianity called Gnostic Christianity must be revealed.

Based on the secrets of Christ and His disciples, ancient scriptures and the writings of historians, archeologists and religious scholars, I wrote this book about Gnostic Christianity to make it more available as an alternative Christian view. Before individuals or groups can progress, they have to face the Truth. As in psychotherapy, facing the Truth in religion can be very painful but also extremely beneficial. I did not write this book to prove anything, necessarily (i.e., I’m right and mainstream Christians are wrong about their theology) or to ruin the reputations of current Church leaders, but to present people with a Christian option, (i.e., Gnosticism). I also intend to show how it is a wise option because of its spiritual, psychological, historical, and social advantages for individuals and society in comparison with the last 2000 years of mainstream Christianity. If people considered this book nothing more than an education, I would be delighted.

Some Common Questions and Answers about Gnostic Christianity

Who are the Gnostic Christians?

They are a group of original esoteric (mystical) Christians who existed along with other Christian groups like the proto-orthodox during the first through third centuries. Before this era, the Gnostics were also some of the direct disciples— Thomas, Philip, Matthias, and secretly, Mary Magdalene—of Jesus Christ. In close relation with these Gnostic Christians were John the Baptist, John the Apostle, Paul the Apostle, and Peter the Apostle who all had Gnostic sympathies (some more than others) in their views and Divine Experiences.

What is Gnosticism?

It is an original form of Christianity dating primarily from the first through third centuries (waning during the fourth and fifth centuries, though lasting up to the twenty-first century). Its focus is (as it was) on Jesus Christ as Savior (He is a catalyst/initiator in helping people to escape this evil world from within and without) and as a great teacher to attaining Higher Consciousness (Spiritual Awareness within the Self). Gnosticism is an advanced form of study and experience within Christianity. Only those who are ready or have a sincere interest to learn will be able to go beyond the prepackaged teachings within popular Christianity.

From what sources do we know about Gnosticism?

The biased view of the orthodox Church Fathers was once the only source of information about the Gnostic Christians. It was not until the late nineteenth century (that is, Pistis Sophia) and more significantly the year 1945 that the world began to rediscover this early Christianity through The Nag Hammadi Library findings. They included many secret scriptures informing us of Christ and the alternative Christian view. Hidden underground in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, where the Church Fathers and Roman Empire had no access to destroy or alter them, these scriptures retain a spiritual purity. Dr. Carl Jung has also contributed modern day psycho-spiritual scholarship to the study of the Gnostics.

What is Gnosis?

The word Gnosis comes from the Greek and means “knowledge.” More specifically, it means “spiritual knowledge” or “secret knowledge,” which is attained by people’s own transformation of consciousness from this mundane world (of little consciousness) to a higher altered state of Consciousness (that is, a Consciousness that has a high quality of spiritual perception). In this altered state of being, the Soul is reconnected—in the true religious sense—to its higher source: God, Fullness, Completeness, Light of all Lights, and so forth. Anything can happen in an experience of Gnosis (visions, hearing the voice of God, higher insight, experiencing a mystery, dreams, intuition, creativity, and so on).

The Christian Attitude

Christian history has obviously had a major impact on the spirits, minds, emotions, and behaviors of Christians. Even considering this, I would not say that there was never a great Christian. Mother Teresa was a great Christian. Still, the sad conclusion, I come to from mainstream Christian history is that denial, ignorance, or illusion about what is really happening within Christianity seems to be the outcome. Psychologically speaking, I am talking about the unholy attitude of religious narcissism (a term I coined). With religious narcissism in mind, I am not surprised that popular Christians do not want to know “the truth” about their belief, which they call “the truth.” Typically, they will say, “just believe or have faith.” Perhaps they are afraid they will find “THE TRUTH” behind their “truth,” and it may not be pretty or pleasant. To learn more about this, read The Christian Attitude: Holy or Unholy?

In Section 1, I present the dark hidden truth and facts behind the history of mainstream Chrstianity. In Section 2, I talk more about Gnostic Christianity. I compare esoteric and exoteric Christians in Section 3. In Section 4, I present my view of the Christian attitude and whether it is Holy or Unholy, and in Section 5, I propose that Gnostic Christianity is the best OPTION for today's Christians.

Here are a few points from the quick reference section in The Christian Attitude: Holy or Unholy?

· There is no documented evidence that the Gnostic Christians ever committed crimes against others. They also have never been known to control or persecute others who did not share in their view. Gnostics are known for being open minded, accepting of others, and not converting them.

· Gnostic Christianity has always seen Women as equal to Men and has proven so theologically, psychologically, and in Church practice.

· In ancient times, both popular Christian and Gnostic scriptures changed. The original texts of the Gnostic scriptures have rarely changed, once from Greek to Coptic and from the 1960s-1970s to English. The scripture of mainstream Christianity changed by scribes over and again for about 15 centuries before the printing press was invented. Changes even happened after this era. The earliest Gnostic Christian scriptures were protected for 17 to 18 centuries in an Egyptian Nag Hammadi cave. Their discovery was made in 1945.

· Gnostic Christianity comes from the original circle of Jesus Christ, and it has inherited the Apostolic Succession and the secret teachings of Christ from the following Apostles: Thomas, Philip, Mary Magdalene, John, Peter, Paul, and Matthias. Mary, Salome, and Martha have also passed on secret teachings to the Gnostic Christian community.

Unlike the open minded Gnostic Christians, early on, mainstream Christianity did not consider all of Christ’s teachings and sacraments as a part of their view. So, for 2000 years the mainstream Christian Church has been psycho-spiritually unbalanced.

Throughout the book, here is a list of the phrases I coined:

· I’m a Truth Seeker but more accurate than that … a Mystery!

· I intend to wake up Christians by lifting off their covers.

· Christ was consciously aware that there’s nothing better than Consciousness

… and then some more … and then some more … until one’s Soul reaches the Infinite.

· It is better to seek after the Truth … beyond the truth.

· It is better to live a painful truth than a comfortable lie.

Understand, maybe … Accept, maybe … if not … oh well!

"The author communicates creative ideas and presents valuable research in an accessible way.

Highly recommended to those interested in early Christianity and its relevance to current issues of religion and culture."

----Gnostic Bishop Dr. Stephan A. Hoeller

author of Gnosticism; The Gnostic Jung; Jung and the Lost Gospels; and other works.

joepic 004 To Order “The Christian Attitude”

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The Christian Attitude: Holy or Unholy?

http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/01605.htm

Dr. Joseph Lancaster

To contact the author e-mail: mailto:josephlancaster@hotmail.com

Other books by Dr. Lancaster

Fundamental vs. Non-Fundamental Christians in relation to Dogma, Self-Awareness, and Narcissism

http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/10268.htm

Find the secret answers to these Gnostic questions

1) What is the real meaning of the Holy Grail that the Order of the Knights

Templar had?

2) What is the deep meaning of Christ's kisses upon Mary Magdalene?

3) Who were the two Church Fathers that admired Gnosis but used Gnostic

concepts to debate the Gnostics?

4) Which Gnostic Church Father almost became the Pope of Rome?

5) Which Church Father was once a Gnostic Christian from the Manichaean Gnostic

Christian sect?

6) The Gospel of Philip and Pistis Sophia speak of one disciple that Jesus Christ

adored. Who was this adored disciple?