Tek-Gnostics Archives
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,
Representative
of the Divine Mother to Planet Earth and Queen of Peace.
Sophia the Wise... divine Creatrix & Earth Mother.
"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.
Esoteric
Christianity - 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."
In several
Heretical
Gospels