quote:
Originally posted by Philip:
What I have done in a few posts is explain some esoteric symbolism held by the initatic schools of present day and antiquity. The very nature of an esoteric symbolism is 100% antagonistic to those who do not believe it exists because it undermines the very basis of those sects, schools, churches, etc., that do not accept it. Likewise, by stating it does not exist, one is bashing Gnosticism, the revelations that Jesus unveiled to his 70 disciples after his resurrection in The Pistis Sophia (Books of the Savior), etc. Speaking as a Gnostic inherently offends those who believe it to be heresy.
Speaking again on behalf of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, I have already stated that an Esoteric Christian Spiritual Tradition and Method has always existed within the original Eastern Orthodox Christianity since the earliest times. What I don't accept as fact is the Completely Bogus and Totally False Claim that Gnostic Spirituality and/or Theology realistically represents the sole, legitimate and authentic depository of the Ancient Esoteric Christian Tradition!
It was common knowledge among the immediate Apostles and Disciples of Jesus that His teaching of the public crowds who flocked to hear Him speak was different, both in content and in the manner of presentation, than what was taught to the 'Inner Circle' of His closest followers...the Apostles and Disciples who lived with Jesus and accompanied Him throughout His public ministry. This group of men and women represented immediate family members...such as St. James the Just, the first Christian Patriarch or Bishop of Jerusalem, who was a step-brother of Jesus (Joseph's son by his deceased wife prior to wedding Mary the mother of Jesus)...as well as the dearest friends and top students with whom Jesus had the closest...most personal...Living Relationships.
Who would know better what Jesus really taught privately than those who were actually there!
It is exactly these individuals who preserved in Blessed Memory the Esoteric Teachings and Methods which they initially received personally from Jesus Himself through Direct Oral Transmission and Ritual Initiation, the latter of which is now called Formal Ordination into Holy Orders. These same individuals in turn passed these Teachings and Methods on to their Initiate Disciples, who in turn passed the Tradition on to their Initiate Disciples, and so forth, down to the Present Time, in the same manner within the unbroken, Authentic Lineage of Apostolic Succession.
For ANYONE outside this Lineage of Direct Transmission to suggest or to claim that they and their alternative teachings and beliefs represent the most authentic depository of the Ancient Christian Esoteric Tradition, and the most legitimate interpretation of same, is simply not the case....and is therefore correctly identified as False Teaching or Heresy....insofar as they relate to Authentic Christianity. The Lord Jesus has in fact spiritually guided and protected the preservation and transmission of this Tradition within Orthodox Christianity, as evidenced by the historical record which verifies that Orthodoxy has NEVER ADDED TO, NEVER MODIFIED OR REVISED, NEVER REINTERPRETED, AND NEVER EDITED OR SUBTRACTED ANYTHING from the ORIGINAL DIRECT TRANSMISSION received from Jesus.
Now this IS NOT to say that there is nothing of value in the Gnostic Tradition. I personally have never stated such a belief. I openly accept the logical possibility and the high probability that virtually every spiritual tradition that withstands the acid test of time through history, including the Gnostic Tradition, must contain elements of Eternal Truth and Divine Revelation at the core of their systems to sustain their Traditions over such long periods of time. This makes perfect, rational sense to me.
What doesn't make rational sense to me, however, as a few ridiculous examples, is that Fundamentalist Protestant Christian Churches have a more accurate perspective on the Teachings, Scriptures, and Traditions of Hinduism or Buddhism than the Hindus and Buddhists themselves do; or similarly, that Hindu or Buddhist Sages, Sadhus, Arhats, and Holy Men are alone privy to the truest interpretation of all religious and spiritual teachings, even outside their own religious schools and traditions!
By the same logical and rational reckoning, it makes no sense to me that Gnostics, Hindus, Buddhists, or Muslims, are likely to possess a more authentic perspective or a more legitimate teaching regarding the Original Esoteric Christian Tradition than does the Eastern or Greek Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church to whom the Tradition in question was initially given by Jesus Himself! It doesn't take an Einstein level of intelligence to perceive this as probable fact!
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Happy Holidays!
Doc