Difference between revisions of "Esoteric"
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Esotericism, the belief in and study of esoteric [[Spiritual|spiritual matters]], is often mistakenly confused with [[Occult]]ism. | Esotericism, the belief in and study of esoteric [[Spiritual|spiritual matters]], is often mistakenly confused with [[Occult]]ism. | ||
| − | ''Esoteric Christianity'' is a generic term for a multitude of [[Heresy|heresies]] rejected by exoteric orthodox catholic [[Christianity]] from the 1st through the 20th centuries which generally embody Gnostic and New Age teachings, such as [[Marcionism]], [[Cathar]]ism and [[Theosophical Society|Theosophy]]. | + | ''Esoteric Christianity'' is a generic term for a multitude of [[Heresy|heresies]] rejected by exoteric orthodox catholic [[Christianity]] from the 1st through the 20th centuries which generally embody Gnostic and New Age teachings, such as [[Marcionism]], [[Cathar]]ism and [[Theosophical Society|Theosophy]] (proposed by H. P. Blavatsky, originally a [[Baptism|baptized]] member of the [[Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodox Church]]). |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 17:06, January 13, 2017
Esoteric means "hidden", "for the few", or "for the elite" or inner circle, the extraordinary or special, reserved; as distinct from exoteric meaning "open, exposed", "for the many", or "for the common people", the masses or the mob, the crowds, the ordinary.
The word is sometimes used as a synonym for "complicated", "complex", "highly technical", "advanced knowledge", "unnecessarily confusing", "difficult or impossible to understand", "generally obscure", "incomprehensible" and "mystical".
Esotericism, the belief in and study of esoteric spiritual matters, is often mistakenly confused with Occultism.
Esoteric Christianity is a generic term for a multitude of heresies rejected by exoteric orthodox catholic Christianity from the 1st through the 20th centuries which generally embody Gnostic and New Age teachings, such as Marcionism, Catharism and Theosophy (proposed by H. P. Blavatsky, originally a baptized member of the Russian Orthodox Church).
See also
- Esoteric subjects most people find incomprehensible
Historical-critical method (Higher criticism)
External link
The Free Dictionary. esoteric (thefreedictionary.com)
New World Encyclopedia. Esotericism (newworldencyclopedia.org)
The Great Heresies a list of heresies committed by Catholics
Catholics United for the Faith. The New Age Movement (cuf.org) evaluation of incompatibility of Theosophical Society teachings