CLAS / PHIL 2610. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 21. Heresy: Gnosticism, Manicheism, Montanism

I. Heresy and Schism

A. Heresy v. Schism:

Doctrinal v. non-doctrinal dispute

B. Heresy (hairesis = choice)

Philosophical; Jewish; Early Christian

Orthodoxy: response to Heresy (self v. other)

C. Heresiology

Ephiphanius Panarion (376)

II. Gnosticism

A. Origins: Christian? Hellenisitic?

B. Gnosis (Knowledge)

-Special Knowledge allows return to divine: passwords, amulets

-Nag Hammadi Codex (1945): literature of the losing side

-Gospel of Thomas; Pistis Sophia (Faith Wisdom) (LM 16.2)

-Valentinian Cosmogony

C. Mind v. Body:

-Asceticism: renunciation of the body in order to free the mind/spirit

-Orgies: Ebionites / Carpocratians

III. Manichaeism

A. Mani (216-76)

-Persian (but follow Judeo-Xian sect of Elchaisites)

-Vision of the Twin: The Divine Side

-Radical dualism (Light v. Darkness) and Gnosis

B. Mission: World Religion

-W = Syria, Egypt, Africa, Italy

-E = Iran, Turfan (to 13th C); China (to 16th C)

-20th C discovery of Manichaean Texts

C. Cosmology

-Syncretist: Xian Christ; Jewish Purity; Zoroastrian (Persian) dualism

-Cosmology: Light v. Darkness; Past, Present, Future

C. Practice

-Mouths (food restrictions); Hands (not disturb light); Thoughts (no intercourse / reproduction)

-Hearers v. Elect: Elect free light in diet

IV. Montanism

A. Montanus of Phrygia

-Montanus believes he is Paraclete ("Spirit among you")

-Renews fervor over 2nd coming

-Phyrgian (from Pepuza = "The New Jerusalem"): "The New Prophecy"

-Priscilla and Maximilla

B. Popularity

-Spread across empire: Africa, Rome, Gaul

-Rigorist: asceticism, alms, martyrs, female priests

-Excommunicated: but last into 5th C