Ethnic Gnosticism | Dr. Voddie Baucham
Understanding Ethnic Gnosticism: A Critical Perspective
When I first received my assignment for this evening, I was both surprised and a bit apprehensive. My dear brother asked me to discuss a term that I personally coined—Ethnic Gnosticism. This phrase first emerged during an interview with another respected brother, James White, who has since adopted and used it in discussions.
Tonight, I want to clarify what I meant by this term and why I believe it is useful in highlighting some of the issues we face today.
The Roots of Gnosticism
The term Gnosticism originates from the Greek word gnosis, meaning “knowledge.” The Gnostic heresy, which dates back to the first century, revolved around the belief in a special, intuitive knowledge—one that did not require mediation through an external source, such as the Word of God. Instead, Gnostics claimed direct, immediate knowledge that distinguished insiders from outsiders.
