Curious Christian

This evening, I find myself contemplating the future of Gnosticism. It seems we haven’t heard much from that realm lately, especially since the publication of The Gospel of Judas by the National Geographic Society in 2006. Google Trends indicates a steady decline in interest since then.

Could it be that Gnosticism, after a brief period in the spotlight, is fading into obscurity once more? Are the texts of the Nag Hammadi Library and the Gnostic Gospels becoming ‘occult’ again, in the truest sense of the word?

One way to gauge this is to see whether we’ll witness another Gnostic-inspired conspiracy theory about Jesus this Easter or if other sources of skepticism will take the stage. I suspect it may lean toward the latter, but time will tell.

Personally, I believe the initial allure of Gnosticism stemmed from its portrayal of Jesus as a ‘messageless messenger.’ This ‘lost’ and reconstructed figure wasn’t simply the key to all mysteries; he became the mystery of mysteries, reflecting the desires of those seeking something beyond traditional narratives.

However, as I’ve noted before, the problem with eclecticism is its lack of staying power. When individuals focus solely on deconstructing and reinventing their traditions, they fail to preserve any enduring legacy to pass on. This was a significant shortcoming of the Jesus Seminar; their consensus seemed limited to who Jesus was not, rather than who he truly was.

In contrast, I believe Christian Mysticism will endure long after Gnosticism fades from memory. It is rooted in tradition and community, offering a richness that transcends mere imagination and individualism.