The Origins of Gnosticism

Abstract

The quest for the origins of Gnosticism dates back to the first century CE when no systematic formalization of Gnostic theology existed.¹ Trying to find its source is analogous to trying to find the source of the Nile. There is no single point of origin, but many; because there is no single Gnosticism. Compounding the search is the ongoing research and archeological discovery. One scholar characterized the challenge in these words: “It is no exaggeration to number the problems of the genesis and the history of Gnosis among the most difficult… Much is still in a state of flux and to write a complete history of Gnosis remains a task for the future.”² Another reason for the difficulty of the task is the limitation of available sources.