Gnosticism

/ˌnɑstəˈsɪzəm/

Definitions of Gnosticism

1. noun

   a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person's spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches
   types:

   Mandaeanism, Mandeanism

   a Gnostic religion originating the 2nd and 3rd centuries that believes John the Baptist was the Messiah and that incorporates Jewish and Christian elements into a framework of dualistic beliefs

   type of:

   heresy, unorthodoxy

   a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion

   theological doctrine

   the doctrine of a religious group