Welcome to the Tek-Gnostic Christian Center

All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them;
for this is the law and the prophets.
      - Matthew 7:1
 

This center is dedicated to Mother Mary, the representative of the Divine Mother to Planet Earth and Queen of Peace. The Blessed Virgin Mary, sometimes shortened to The Blessed Virgin or The Virgin Mary, is a traditional title used by most Christians to describe Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Since the first century, devotion to the Virgin Mary has been a major element of the spiritual life of a vast number of Christians. From the Council of Ephesus in 431 to Vatican II and Pope John Paul II's Redemptoris Mater encyclical, the Virgin Mary has come to be seen, not only as the Mother of God but also as the Mother of the Church, a Mediatrix who intercedes to Jesus Christ. "Mary means Star of the sea, for as mariners are guided to port by the ocean star, so Christians attain to glory through Mary's maternal intercession."  - St. Thomas Aquinas, 1274   "When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom... let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom... let it be." - Lennon & McCartney, 1969

 

Mary of Magdala - Founder of the early Church In several Gnostic Gospels... written by Christians whose alternative views of Jesus were eventually suppressed as heresy... Mary Magdalene rivals Peter for the leadership of the early church because of her superior understanding of Jesus' teaching. The Gospel of Philip, for example, describes her as Jesus' close companion whose counsel he often sought. In an era when women were commonly identified in relation to a husband, father or brother, Mary was identified instead by her town of origin. This title was traditionally bestowed to individuals of significance. Scholars believe she was one of a number of women who provided monetary support for Jesus' ministry. Additionally, when the male disciples fled, Mary steadfastly witnessed Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection, providing the thread of continuity in the central story of Christian history. Early non-canonical Christian writings show faith communities growing up around Mary's ministry, where she is portrayed as understanding Jesus' message better than did Peter and the male disciples. Scholars surmise that these writings are not about the historical persons Mary and Peter but instead reflect tensions over women's roles in the early church. Prominent leaders such as Mary and Peter were evoked to justify opposing points of view. What is not disputed is the recognition of Mary of Magdala as an important woman leader in earliest Christianity. In 312, when Constantine made Christianity the religion of the empire, the Christian community was caught in a cultural conflict as it moved from worship in house churches where women's leadership was accepted, to worship in public places where women's leadership violated Roman social norms. In the fourth century, male church leaders at the Council of Laodicea suppressed women leaders because of the belief that women should be subordinate to men. During this same time period, we see the memory of Mary of Magdala changing from that of a strong female disciple and proclaimer of the Resurrection to a repentant prostitute and public sinner. Scholars such as Dr. Jane Schaberg believe this was done deliberately to discourage female leadership in the church. It is clear that Mary of Magdala not only bankrolled Jesus' ministry, but was a trusted, respected and most beloved Apostle. In the days and weeks that followed Jesus' crucifixion, Mary acted as a stabilizing force among the disciples... witnessed the resurrection and laid the groundwork for early Christianity... hence the title "Apostle to the Apostles". It is also clear that Mary's teachings suffered the same fate as many of the Gnostic Gospels that favored individual gnosis over subservience to a dogmatic hierarchal church.

Gnostic Tradition Gnosticism is a philosophical and religious movement which started in pre-Christian times. Gnosticism consists of many syncretistic belief systems that combines elements taken from Asian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek and Syrian pagan religions, from astrology, and from Judaism and Christianity. The name is derived from the Greek word "gnosis" which literally means "knowledge."  However, the English words "Insight" and "enlightenment" capture more of the meaning of "gnosis”. Gnosticism involves the relational or experiential knowledge of God and of the divine or spiritual nature within us. Gnosis-knowledge requires ultimate transcendence of the merely intellectual to be actualized.  Gnostics believe that they have secret knowledge about God, humanity and the rest of the universe of which the general population was unaware. It became one of the three main belief systems within 1st century Christianity, and was noted for four factors by which differed from the two other branches of Christianity:

1.      Novel beliefs about Gods, the Bible and the world which differed from those of other Christian groups.  2.      Tolerance of different religious beliefs within and outside of Gnosticism.  3.      Lack of discrimination against women. Although Jesus treated women as equals, and Paul mostly did the same, the other Christian belief systems started to oppress women in later generations.  4.      A belief that salvation is achieved through relational and experiential knowledge.  In the words of the contemporary Gnostic Apostolic Church, humanity needs to be awakened and brought... "…to a realization of his true nature. Mankind is moving towards the Omega Point, the Great day when all must graduate or fall. This day is also the Day of Judgment in that only those who have entered the Path of Transfiguration and are being reborn can return to the Treasury of Light."  The movement and its literature were essentially wiped out before the end of the 5th century CE by Catholic heresy hunters and the Roman Army. Its beliefs are currently experiencing a rebirth throughout the world, triggered in part by the discovery of an ancient Gnostic library at Nag Hammadi, Egypt in the 1940s, and the finding of the Gospel of Judas at El Minya, Egypt, in the 1970s.   Heretical Gospels There were a number of gospels written in the second century AD or later called the Apocryphal Gospels. There are 22, of which 10 are written in Greek and 12 in Latin. According to the Gospel of Luke there were many gospels written. Luke 1:1-4 states:  "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to put together an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were from the beginning eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed down to us, it seemed to me too, after researching everything for a long time, that I should write accurately and orderly for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you would realize the certainty of the matters about which you have been instructed." Find below several relevant hyperlinks...   Gospel of Judas Gospel of Mary Gospel of Philip The Gospel of Thomas   The Dead Sea Scrolls The Nag Hammadi Library