Sethian Gnosticism
Sethian Gnosticism, also called Classical Gnosticism and Sethianism, is named after Adam’s third son Seth and the divine Seth, and had its ‘golden age’ from about 300BC to 300AD.
The Sethian tradition is probably the oldest of the Gnostic schools with common sacraments, a basic systematical theology, and a core Mystery in which the Sethians were inducted.
During the first period of about 600 years, our Gnostic tradition had three major reforms as reflected in the texts that were found buried at Nag Hammadi in Egypt.
This collection of texts, the most important discovery of Gnostic literature, was probably buried since these writings were forbidden by canonical Christianity. It was found by a shepherd who initiated the challenging journey of these scriptures, before most of them were handed over to academic scholars who translated and published them.
The three Sethian periods, or reforms, were the Jewish period, the Christian period and the Neo-platonic period. In all these reforms, the same core Gnosis or Mystery was clothed with new garments. For the vessel will always be flexible and shaped to fit the mentality and needs of the present time.
The Sethian Gnostic tradition is based on a homo-centric reading of the Biblical stories of creation, the nature of God, how man came to live on earth, and how we may recapture an enlightened fullness of being. Critical reading of the acts and intentions of the Creator as described in the Bible gives Gnostics reason to suspect that this entity is far from being a God who loves mankind, and who seeks its fulfillment and peace. Rather than participating in a lowly spiritual and mental warfare that will last as long as there are people cherishing this myth, Gnostics seek the Pleroma and The Great Invisible Spirit; concepts of a fullness that transcends all worldly and mental structures.
The hallmark of our Gnosticism is its systematic enquiring approach to redemption; it is a methodical approach to salvation.
Sethianism relies on personal experience and inquisitive inquiery into the nature of man and religion, rather than fate and mysterious ways.
The Sethian scriptures are viewed as important tools; initiatory journeys written to enlighten man and make way for the grand eureka that will turn his eyes from the shadows on the wall, to the light of reality.
Sethianism as a part of Gnostic tradition, is thus not a religious path as such, but rather a path between the paths. It perpetuates a story told at the strike of the thirteenth hour on the mystical dial of the wise; from a mental position between truth and falsehood, reality and dream, at a spiritual crossroad in a point without a centre.
The Sethian tradition is probably the oldest of the Gnostic schools with common sacraments, a basic systematical theology, and a core Mystery in which the Sethians were inducted.
During the first period of about 600 years, our Gnostic tradition had three major reforms as reflected in the texts that were found buried at Nag Hammadi in Egypt.
This collection of texts, the most important discovery of Gnostic literature, was probably buried since these writings were forbidden by canonical Christianity. It was found by a shepherd who initiated the challenging journey of these scriptures, before most of them were handed over to academic scholars who translated and published them.
The three Sethian periods, or reforms, were the Jewish period, the Christian period and the Neo-platonic period. In all these reforms, the same core Gnosis or Mystery was clothed with new garments. For the vessel will always be flexible and shaped to fit the mentality and needs of the present time.
The Sethian Gnostic tradition is based on a homo-centric reading of the Biblical stories of creation, the nature of God, how man came to live on earth, and how we may recapture an enlightened fullness of being. Critical reading of the acts and intentions of the Creator as described in the Bible gives Gnostics reason to suspect that this entity is far from being a God who loves mankind, and who seeks its fulfillment and peace. Rather than participating in a lowly spiritual and mental warfare that will last as long as there are people cherishing this myth, Gnostics seek the Pleroma and The Great Invisible Spirit; concepts of a fullness that transcends all worldly and mental structures.
The hallmark of our Gnosticism is its systematic enquiring approach to redemption; it is a methodical approach to salvation.
Sethianism relies on personal experience and inquisitive inquiery into the nature of man and religion, rather than fate and mysterious ways.
The Sethian scriptures are viewed as important tools; initiatory journeys written to enlighten man and make way for the grand eureka that will turn his eyes from the shadows on the wall, to the light of reality.
Sethianism as a part of Gnostic tradition, is thus not a religious path as such, but rather a path between the paths. It perpetuates a story told at the strike of the thirteenth hour on the mystical dial of the wise; from a mental position between truth and falsehood, reality and dream, at a spiritual crossroad in a point without a centre.
