Esoteric Christianity

The Temple of the Rose Cross, Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens, 1618

Esoteric Christianity is a mystical approach to Christianity which features "secret traditions" that require an initiation to learn or understand.[1] The term esoteric was coined in the 17th century and derives from the Greek ἐσωτερικός (esôterikos, "inner").[2]

These spiritual currents share some common features, such as heterodox or heretical Christian theology; the canonical gospels, various apocalyptic literature, and some New Testament apocrypha as sacred texts;[citation needed] and disciplina arcani, a supposed oral tradition from the Twelve Apostles containing esoteric teachings of Jesus the Christ.[1]

Esoteric Christianity is closely related to Gnosticism, and survives in a few modern churches.[1]

There are also esoteric Christian Societies such as the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia.[3]

  1. ^ a b c Stroumsa, Guy G. (2005). Hidden Wisdom: Esoteric Traditions and the Roots of Christian Mysticism. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 90-04-13635-5.
  2. ^ "Esoteric". Oxford English Dictionary Compact Edition. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. 1971. p. 894.
  3. ^ "Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia – An Introduction (SRIA)". freemasonrymatters.co.uk. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2023.