Gnosticism, to me, honestly feels like the true story of Christianity.
There are lots of unrelated ideas and beliefs grouped together as “Gnosticism”. The truth was that early Christianity was incredibly diverse, varied and local.
Only when the Emperor(s) got involved (around the third century) does there–like everything the Emperor’s did–need to be a uniformity and consistency so that Christianity reflects the Emperor’s fasces–his imperium and potestas.
You are no longer some rudderless Christian, you are a Roman Catholic Christian who worships the Jesus sponsored by the Emperor!
There are lots of unrelated ideas and beliefs grouped together as “Gnosticism”. The truth was that early Christianity was incredibly diverse, varied and local.
Only when the Emperor(s) got involved (around the third century) does there–like everything the Emperor’s did–need to be a uniformity and consistency so that Christianity reflects the Emperor’s fasces–his imperium and potestas.
You are no longer some rudderless Christian, you are a Roman Catholic Christian who worships the Jesus sponsored by the Emperor!