Conclusion

Some writers make a distinction between “Gnosis” and “Gnosticism”.
Such distinctions are both helpful and misleading. Gnosis is undoubtedly an experience
based not in concepts and precepts, but in the sensibility of the heart. Gnosticism, on
the other hand, is the world-view based on the experience of Gnosis. For this reason, in
languages other than English, the word Gnosis is often used to denote both the experience
and the world view (die Gnosis in German, la Gnose in French).

In a sense, there is no Gnosis without Gnosticism, for the experience of Gnosis
inevitably calls forth a world view wherein it finds its place. The Gnostic world view is
experiential, it is based on a certain kind of spiritual experience of Gnosis. Therefore,
it will not do to omit, or to dilute, various parts of the Gnostic world view, for were
one to do this, the world view would no longer conform to experience.

Theology has been called an intellectual wrapping around the spiritual kernel of a
religion. If this is true, then it is also true that most religions are being strangled
and stifled by their wrappings. Gnosticism does not run this danger, because its world
view is stated in myth rather than in theology. Myths, including the Gnostic myths, may be
interpreted in diverse ways. Transcendence, numinosity, as well as psychological
archetypes along with other elements, play a role in such interpretation. Still, such
mythic statements tell of profound truths that will not be denied.

Gnosticism can bring us such truths with a high authority, for it speaks with the voice
of the highest part of the human -- the spirit. Of this spirit, it has been said, “it
bloweth where it listeth”. This then is the reason why the Gnostic world view could
not be extirpated in spite of many centuries of persecution.

The Gnostic world view has always been timely, for it always responded best to the
“knowledge of the heart” that is true Gnosis. Yet today, its timeliness is
increasing, for the end of the second millennium has seen the radical deterioration of
many ideologies which evaded the great questions and answers addressed by Gnosticism. The
clarity, frankness, and authenticity of the Gnostic answer to the questions of the human
predicament cannot fail to impress and (in time) to convince. If your reactions to this
summary have been of a similarly positive order, then perhaps you are a Gnostic yourself!

+ Stephan A. Hoeller (Tau Stephanus, Gnostic Bishop)

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