The Gnostic Podcast with Jay Forrest is a weekly Gnostic Christian Podcast proclaiming and explaining a modern Gnostic Christianity that is true to Scripture, true to experience, true to reason, and true to science. Gnostic Christianity is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the four great Gnostics: Thomas, Paul, John, and Valentinus.
Definitions
Gnostic Christianity
Christianity was Gnostic from the very beginning as seen in the writings of Thomas, Paul, and John.
Gnosis
Gnosis is the Greek word for "knowledge". But there are two kinds of knowledge, intellectual knowledge and experiential knowledge. Gnosis is the Experiential Knowledge of God.
Gnostic
One who knows God experientially and believes that such knowledge is the key to salvation.
Gnosticism
Is a modern word that is used to describe a wide variety of groups, even groups that are not Christian. We try to avoid the term. We prefer to refer our beliefs or religion as Gnostic Christianity.
Gnostic Gospels
These usually refer to gospels that have a Gnostic viewpoint and that were not included in the Bible. In reality the Gospel of John is truly a Gnostic Gospel.
Mystery
The word "mystery" refers to the "mystic secrets", these are the esoteric teachings concerning union and communion with God that are reserved for those intiated into Gnosis.
Mysticism
This refers to the union of the person with Ultimate Reality, and is found in all major religions. The Gnostics were the first Christian mystics.
Proto-Orthodox
"Proto-orthodox" is a term coined to describe the Early Christian movement which were the forebears of Christian orthodoxy. They became the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church; out of the latter came Protestantism.
Jewish Scriptures
I will use the word "Jewish Scriptures" to refer to what most Christians call the Old Testament.
Christian Scriptures
I will use the word "Christian Scriptures" to refer to what most Christians call the New Testament, minus 2 Peter, Jude, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. But which will also include other Scriptures such as the Didache, the Gospel of Thomas, and the Odes of Solomon.
Gathering
The Greek word "ekklesia" is usually translated "church", but its gives one the wrong ideas of buildings, denominations, and clergy hierarchy. We prefer the word "gathering" to refer to the informal fellowship groups of Gnostic Christians.
Valentinianism
A Gnostic movement that was headed by Valentinus in the second century AD. We follow Valentinus and his school of Gnostic Christianity.
Sacrament
A Sacrament is a mystical practice or event which is outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual influence, instituted by Christ, which is received by a person prepared and receptive to that Divine influence.