Esoteric Christianity
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Esoteric Christianity is a mystical approach to Christianity which features "secret traditions" that require an initiation to learn or understand.[1] The term esoteric was coined in the 17th century and derives from the Greek ἐσωτερικός (esôterikos, "inner").[2]
These spiritual currents share some common features, such as heterodox or heretical Christian theology; the canonical gospels, various apocalyptic literature, and some New Testament apocrypha as sacred texts;[citation needed] and disciplina arcani, a supposed oral tradition from the Twelve Apostles containing esoteric teachings of Jesus the Christ.[1]
Esoteric Christianity is closely related to Gnosticism, and survives in a few modern churches.[1]
There are also esoteric Christian Societies such as the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia.[3]
History
Ancient roots
Some modern scholars believe that in the early stages of
Present-day denominations
A
Scholar Jan Shipps describes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as having esoteric elements.[8]
Concepts
Reincarnation
Influenced by the
Despite this apparent contradiction, most modern esoteric Christian movements refer to Origen's writings (along with other Church Fathers and biblical passages) to validate these ideas as part of the esoteric Christian tradition outside of the Gnostic schools, who were later considered heretical in the 3rd century.[11]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 90-04-13635-5.
- ^ "Esoteric". Oxford English Dictionary Compact Edition. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. 1971. p. 894.
- ^ "Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia – An Introduction (SRIA)". freemasonrymatters.co.uk. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ Frommann (1833). De Disciplina Arcani in vetere Ecclesia christiana obticuisse fertur (in Latin). Jena.
- ^ Hatch, Edwin (1907). "Lecture X". The Influence of Greek Ideas and Usages upon the Christian Church. London: Williams and Norgate.
- ^ Daniélou, Jean (1955). Origen. Translated by Walter Mitchell.[full citation needed]
- ^ ISBN 978-1-59884-204-3. 6 vols.
- ^ Shipps, Jan (August 16–23, 1978). "The Mormons: Looking Forward and Outward". Christian Century: 761–766.
- ^ "Quotes by Church Fathers Against Reincarnation". Catholic Answers. 2004. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011.
- ^ Uebersax, John S. (2006). "Early Christianity and Reincarnation: Modern Misrepresentation of Quotes by Origen".
- ^ "Articles on Esoteric Christianity". Archeosofica. Archived from the original on 2007-11-02.
Further reading
- Anonymous (1985). ISBN 978-1-5854-2161-9.
- Brown, Coleston (2007). Magical Christianity: The Power of Symbols for Spiritual Renewal. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books. ISBN 978-0-8356-0855-8.
- Duncan, Anthony (1996) [1972]. The Lord of the Dance: An Essay in Mysticism. Sun Chalice Books. ISBN 978-0-9650-8395-9.
- Kirby, Richard S. (April 10, 1999). "The Focus of Esoteric Futures". WNRF.org. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- Knight, Gareth (2010) [1975]. Experience of the Inner Worlds. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: Skylight Press. ISBN 978-1-9080-1103-9.
- Knight, Gareth (2011). A History of White Magic. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: Skylight Press. ISBN 978-1-9080-1104-6.
- Powell, Robert (2007). The Sophia Teachings: The Emergence of the Divine Feminine in Our Time. Aurora, CO: Lindisfarne Books. ISBN 978-1-5842-0048-2.
- Smoley, Richard (2002). Inner Christianity: A Guide to the Esoteric Tradition. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-1-5706-2810-8.