PPG Gnostic Explanation, Not the Same as Early Gnostics, but some similarities.

There are a few schools of Gnostic thought which could be said to be relatively close to modern Pentecostalism. One such school is Gnosticism of the First Century, which experienced a significant resurgence in the Twentieth Century. This school teaches that there is an inner, hidden wisdom which can be accessed through special knowledge or direct revelation from God. This hidden wisdom is seen as a key to salvation and spiritual transformation.

Another Gnostic school which has some similarities to Pentecostalism is that of Valentinian Gnosticism. This tradition teaches that there is a spark of the divine within every person, and that it is through accessing this spark that we can achieve spiritual liberation. Like First Century Gnosticism, Valentinian Gnosticism also emphasises the importance of gaining special knowledge or direct revelation from God in order to progress on the spiritual path.

Finally, some elements of Hermeticism can also be seen in Pentecostalism. This philosophical and religious tradition teaches that there is a divine light which pervades all of creation, and which can be accessed through correct understanding and practice. Although Hermeticism is not technically a form of Gnosticism, it shares many of the same ideas and concepts, and so could be seen as being close to Gnostic thought in general.

Gnosis is a Greek word for knowledge. In the Christian tradition, gnosis refers to a type of knowledge or understanding that can only be gained through direct experience of God. Gnostic theologies emphasize the Gnostic principle that humans have the potential to access this knowledge through their own efforts, rather than relying on revealed knowledge or the interpretation of scripture.

Pentecostalism is a Christian movement that emphasizes the experience of the Holy Spirit and the direct personal experience of God. Pentecostals believe that they can receive guidance and power from the Holy Spirit for daily living and for witnessing to the faith.

While there are many different Gnostic theologies, they share some common features. Gnostic theologies typically emphasize the role of human effort in achieving gnosis, the direct experience of God. They also emphasize the authority of individual experience over scriptural interpretation.

Pentecostalism shares some common features with Gnostic theologies. Both Pentecostalism and Gnosticism emphasize the importance of direct experience with God. They both emphasize the authority of individual experience over scriptural interpretation.

However, there are some important differences between Pentecostalism and Gnosticism. Gnosticism is often seen as a syncretic religion, blending elements of Christianity with other belief systems, such as paganism or Gnosticism. In contrast, Pentecostalism is typically seen as a more purely Christian movement. Additionally, Gnosticism is often associated with elitism, while Pentecostalism is open to people of all social backgrounds.

So, which Gnostic theology is closest to modern Pentecostalism? It is difficult to say definitively, as there are many different Gnostic theologies. However, Pentecostalism does share some common features with Gnosticism, such as an emphasis on direct experience with God and the authority of individual experience.

So, in conclusion, there are a few different Gnostic theologies which have some notable similarities to modern Pentecostalism. These include Gnosticism of the First Century, Valentinian Gnosticism and Hermeticism.