Peace, fam. Great question! The Essenes were actually a Jewish sect that practiced very strict adherence to Jewish laws and customs and often isolated themselves from society to live an almost monastic existence in the wilderness or in caves. The Dead Sea Scrolls were Essenian writings that were hidden inside clay pots, much like the Nag Hammadi Library, and were preserved there from around the first century until 1946. John the Baptist, or the Baptizer, was likely an Essenian based on how he's described in terms of what he wore, what he ate, what he preached and the practice of baptism, it was one of their rituals. Gnostics, however, were a Christian sect that interpreted God and Jesus in mystical ways. Based on the root word gnosis, Greek for knowledge, they purported to have "secret", esoteric knowledge about the God and the spiritual realm. Yahweh is even pictured as somewhat of a villain for bring the material world into being. The Gospel of Thomas, although found buried with Gnostic writings, including some from Plato, is not truly a Gnostic gospel, though it is often misidentified as such. It is simply a compilation of 114 (based on how they are numbered) of the sayings of Jesus, including some of his "secret" teachings. There is no narrative, just the compilation.
Peace peace! What was the difference between Essene and Gnostic teachings?
Peace, fam. Great question! The Essenes were actually a Jewish sect that practiced very strict adherence to Jewish laws and customs and often isolated themselves from society to live an almost monastic existence in the wilderness or in caves. The Dead Sea Scrolls were Essenian writings that were hidden inside clay pots, much like the Nag Hammadi Library, and were preserved there from around the first century until 1946.
John the Baptist, or the Baptizer, was likely an Essenian based on how he's described in terms of what he wore, what he ate, what he preached and the practice of baptism, it was one of their rituals.
Gnostics, however, were a Christian sect that interpreted God and Jesus in mystical ways. Based on the root word gnosis, Greek for knowledge, they purported to have "secret", esoteric knowledge about the God and the spiritual realm. Yahweh is even pictured as somewhat of a villain for bring the material world into being.
The Gospel of Thomas, although found buried with Gnostic writings, including some from Plato, is not truly a Gnostic gospel, though it is often misidentified as such. It is simply a compilation of 114 (based on how they are numbered) of the sayings of Jesus, including some of his "secret" teachings. There is no narrative, just the compilation.