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Gnosticism, Docetism and kenosis

Gnosticism, Docetism and kenosis are all words which were originated from the Greek civilization. Even though the three words have entirely different meanings, these words are used widely by Christian theologians through out the world in describing the relationship of soul and body.

Defining Gnosticism is a difficult task, since modern writers use the term to cover a wide variety of religious phenomena. For instance, in Nature of Gnosticism by Grant, the writer describes Gnosticism as a system, which influenced Christianity in the second century. Another definition points out Gnosticism as a philosophy, which is related to a body of teaching. In both the cases however, the acquisition of “gnosis” or inner knowledge has been stressed. The knowledge sought might not be strictly intellectual, but definitely mystical. The gnosis is considered as “inner and esoteric mystical knowledge of ultimate reality”(Grant 33).

Gnosticism is believed to be derived from the Greek word “gnosis” which means “knowledge”. The emphasis here is on knowledge, as the means for the attainment of salvation. Therefore Gnosticism could be defined as a spiritual power, which seeks to detach from the physical body in search of salvation (wallhausser notes). Gnosticism also conveys the message that the physical body is something in which the soul should be rescued from.

Docetism is derived from the Greek word “dokein” which means, “to seem”(Wallhausser notes). This again, like Gnosticism has been a broadly used historical term. Therefore defining the term is a tedious task. Ancient theologians named Docetists, as those who believed that Christ’s divinity was irreconcilable with his actually having been physically born. It should also be noted that some theologians use the term “docetic” to describe Christologies that lack sufficient historical grounding. In any case, the most widely believed definition seemed to suggest that the human appearance of Christ is more illusion and has no objective reality. It’s interesting to note that the word “appearance” refers to Christ’s whole earthy career. Therefore in other words, it means that the spirit cannot be crucified and it’s only the physical body, which can(Jonas 56).

Moltmann, refutes Gnostic concept throughout the article. The physical body and soul seems to be interwoven and not used as two separate concepts. For instance, he questions passionate devotion and his answer is, “it’s not the yearning of the soul for life free of pain in heaven, but the love of the kingdom of God in the...

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