Was Gnostic’s the first form of Christianity?
366345
Probably not.  I say this because Christian Gnosticism is a blend of Christian theology and Greek philosophy.  It is an attempt to change Christianity is such a way that is becomes acceptable to followers of Greek philosphers such as Plato. As a result, it cannot be the earliest form.  It is certainly one of several very early forms, however.  Early Christianity was not homogenous as many Christians believe.  They were asking all the same questions we do, and, just like we do, they came up with different answers.
221756
i'm thinking no. christianity is founded on the belief that jesus died for our sins, and he was god's one and only son.
1007652
Here is the definition of agnostic.\nag·nos·tic  (g-nstk)\nn.\n1. \na. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.\nb. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.\n2. One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.\nadj.\n1. Relating to or being an agnostic.\n2. Doubtful or noncommittal: "Though I am agnostic on what terms to use, I have no doubt that human infants come with an enormous 'acquisitiveness' for discovering patterns" William H. Calvin.\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n[a-1 + Gnostic.]\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nag·nosti·cal·ly adv.\nWord History: An agnostic does not deny the existence of God and heaven but holds that one cannot know for certain whether or not they exist. The term agnostic was fittingly coined by the 19th-century British scientist Thomas H. Huxley, who believed that only material phenomena were objects of exact knowledge. He made up the word from the prefix a-, meaning "without, not," as in amoral, and the noun Gnostic. Gnostic is related to the Greek word gnsis, "knowledge," which was used by early Christian writers to mean "higher, esoteric knowledge of spiritual things"; hence, Gnostic referred to those with such knowledge. In coining the term agnostic, Huxley was considering as "Gnostics" a group of his fellow intellectuals"ists," as he called themwho had eagerly embraced various doctrines or theories that explained the world to their satisfaction. Because he was a "man without a rag of a label to cover himself with," Huxley coined the term agnostic for himself, its first published use being in 1870.\n\nhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/agnostic\n\nI consider myself agnostic..the short definition is "I don't know"\nagnostic=I don't know\nI am not comfortable laying claim to atheism nor do I plan to join a church.\n\nSo your definition is incorrect.\nnice try at backdoor proselytizing though.
1110902
Yes, but be careful.  There were many, MANY branches of belief (the very philosophies of gnosticism made that a foregone conclussion) and it is deeper and richer than some of the stuff you'll see on line.\n\nMay I suggest a source to you?
421748
Christianity, as opposed to Judaism, originated in the Roman Empire. Christ was born and died in the Roman Empire, his followers began there teachings there, and Rome was the first to declare Christianity its official religion.
376448
Newton wasn't alone.  Many early Christians didn't believe the trinity.  The Christianity that eventually came to define the faith as we know it had a lot of help in becoming dominant, namely Irenaeus, Origin, Clement, Constantin and others.
1033610
Gnosticism agrees with the teachings of just about every religion in the world.  Orthodox Christianity is the only one with that dying for sins nonsense.  I don't know, in my opinion the truth is within us, not within a book, if it is in us all, it would be universal.  The actual words of Jesus are universal.  All that other nonsense came from Paul and is not.
1063611
Rational, sane, thinking, inquisitive, ...\n\nAgnostic is the term you seek.\n\nFor a better appreciation of the evolution of the term, you\nmay want to read more on "gnosticism."  \n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism\n\nI note that several posters already answered your question, and a link has been furnished for agnosticism.\n\nI felt you may gain insight through reading on the topic of gnosticism.\n\nHope it all helps.  \n\nThirst for knowledge.
649664
1)  Christianity was NOT the first religion.  \n2)  Judaism was technically not the first religion, either.  Judaism did not come about until Moses.  While God was worshiped before Moses, as we read in the Bible, there was no formal religion.  Adam, Noah, Joshua, etc., had no formal religion as we typically think of; therefore, when Pagans claim that their religion is the oldest, technically they are correct, and the Bible confirms it.\n3)  Other religions start for various reasons.  L. Ron Hubbard (Scientology) and Joseph Smith (Mormonism) seemed to be financially motivated.  Islam seemed to be more racially motivated.  Most New Age and modern Pagan beliefs seem to be motivated by the desire to BE God (they desire "special power").  That is really what almost all false beliefs (including most false religious sects) are about...  getting to be God.  Deciding for one self what is right and wrong.  Wanting to be like God.  That is what Satan tempted Eve with in the Garden, and that is what drives us away today.
775349
The notion of the Trinity was (I believe) first coined by Tertullian in approx. 200 AD to refer to 3 of something, though vague references to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit being one are present in the New Testament (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14 and a few more).  It was not until LATER theological study that the idea became part of the Christian Orthodox dogma.  It was made official by the first Council of Nicea, hence the line in the Nicene Creed: "And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who proceeds from the father, whom together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the Prophets."
1174159
I think Gospel of Thomas is the original gospel and the synoptics are copies made in Rome.\n\nConsider this...\n\nMariamne/James or saint Peter?\n\nHyppolitus' Refutation of All Heresies states that the Gnostic Christians (Naasenes) claim their "system" was handed down to them by Mariamne from James the Just.... \n\nChap. II.\nNaasseni ascribe their system, through Mariamne, to James the Lord's brother; really traceable to the ancient mysteries; their psychology as given in the "Gospel according to Thomas"... ...These are the heads of very numerous discourses which the Naassene asserts James the brother of the Lord handed down to Mariamne. In order, then, that these impious (heretics) may no longer believe Mariamne or James, or the Savior Himself, let us come to the mystic rites (whence these have derived their figment)…\n\nThe Gospel of Thomas says that Jesus told his disciples that after he had departed James was to be their leader...\n\nThe Gospel of Thomas \n12 The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you are going to leave us. Who will be our leader?" Jesus said to them, "No matter where you are you are to go to James the Just…"\n\nIf the Naassenes were the earliest Christian heretics and also claimed to have received their "system" from James, who was to receive the ministry of Jesus, does that make the Naassenes (Gnostics) the heirs to the ministry of Jesus?\n\nYes! Peter, who was "against the woman" (the Magdalene), took his stuff to Rome and founded "Christianity". The real stuff went to Alexandria, but the Catholics attempted to destroy it.
987504
I read it and found it very good.  I have been studying the Gnostic scriptures for quite a while now.
375883
Gnosticism is a blanket term for various religions and sects most prominent in the first few centuries AD Many elements of 2nd century gnosticsm are pre-Christian. The name of gnosticism comes from the Greek word for knowledge, gnosis (γνώσις), referring to the idea that there is special, hidden knowledge that only a few may possess.  It's basically a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person's spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches
20487
The theology of the trinity developed throughout the first few centuries of Christian history.  The Council of Nicea in 325 officially sanctioned the doctrine.\n\nIn order to answer when the Bible was written, you need to ask which book.  Since most of your discussion seems to be centered on the gospels, we'll use them as our example.  Most scholars believe that the oldest gospel is Mark, and that it was written early in the second half of the first century.\n\nIs the New Testament Jesus' words or the interpretation of his disciples?  The most accurate way to answer that question is probably yes, it would be a combination of both.  As stated earlier, Mark is believed to be the first Gospel written.  Matthew and Luke are believd to be based on Mark and a source of the sayings of Jesus that is now lost to us.  Scholars call this sayings source Q.  John appears to be more independent of the other 3 gospels.  If you want to see what this sayings source might have looked like, look at the Gospel of Thomas, which was not included in the New Testament.\n\nYour last 2 questions about the theology of Jesus also needs to be more specific.  The scholarly term for the study of Jesus is Christology.  It seeks to answer questions about Jesus.  How much of him was God?  How much of him was man?  When did he become divine?  And when did he know it?  Christians have disagreed on the answers to these questions since the time of Jesus.\n\nMany of your questions are the same questions early Christians were asking, and the answers could take up volumes of books.  You can do some searches on Wikipedia as a start
734930
Hi there! "Agnostic" means a person for whom the existence of God and the nature of thinks is unknown, or thinks that the human's knowledge is limited to facts experienced. A person that is not an atheist but, who has doubts about the existence of God. \n"Gnosticism" is a philosophical-religious current which tries to mix the christian theology with the greek philosophy and some oriental religions, sustaining the possibility to acquire the mystical knowledge. The greek word "gnosis" means the knowledge acquired through personal experience.
614913
Yes I believe in God, but not the way traditional Christians do.  I'm a Gnostic Christian.
685937
My understanding is that of a layman; there are many good reference works you can turn to for a better understanding. Apparently they are the earliest of the gospel accounts, and therefore, the most reliable. The earliest gospel is considered to be the gospel of Mark, which is the shortest. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the synoptic gospels, as they share much common material. The Gospel of John is the most mystical of the gospel accounts.\n\nIn the early centuries of Christianity there was a number of writings being circulated, writings that were not included in the New Testament canon. The New Testament books are all believed to have been written in the first century. Many subsequent writings were those of groups such as the Gnostics, groups which came to be seen as heretical by the Catholic Church. Again, I am not an expert in church history, but all the books that came to be included in the NT came under close scrutiny and examination. It is my understanding that it was argued at length as to whether \nthe book of Revelation was to be included in the canon.