The Gnostics Author:Tobias Churton The Greek word gnosis means knowledge. The Gnostics themselves used it to refer to the spiritual knowledge that would redeem them from a spiritual universe they regarded as inherently evil. As an alternative, mystical tradition within Christianity, Gnosticism suffered the official church's condemnation and persecution. This is one reason why... more » Gnostic teaching and history continue to be little known and little understood today.« less