What is Christian hermeticism?

Hermeticists believe in a prisca theologia, the doctrine that a single, true theology exists, that it exists in all religions, and that it was given by God to man in antiquity. In order to demonstrate the truth of the prisca theologia doctrine, Christians appropriated the Hermetic teachings for their own purposes.

What are the esoteric religions?

Esoteric elements are found in many religions, including major world religions such as Christianity (e.g., Gnosticism) and Judaism (e.g., Kabbalah), and small, occult NRMs such as the Theosophical Society and the Order of the Golden Dawn.

What is the goal of hermeticism?

The aim of Hermetism, like that of Gnosticism (a contemporary religious-philosophical movement), was the deification or rebirth of mortals through the knowledge (gnosis) of the one transcendent God, the world, and humankind.

Was Hermes Trismegistus a Christian?

Many Christian writers, including Lactantius, Augustine, Marsilio Ficino, Campanella, and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, as well as Giordano Bruno, considered Hermes Trismegistus to be a wise pagan prophet who foresaw the coming of Christianity.

What does the word Exoteric mean?

Definition of exoteric 1a : suitable to be imparted to the public the exoteric doctrine — compare esoteric. b : belonging to the outer or less initiate circle. 2 : relating to the outside : external.

Where do the hermetic principles come from?

The seven principles are the foundation of Hermeticism, a branch of spiritual philosophy dating back as early as the first century A.D. They were outlined by famed author Hermes Trismegistus, who is believed to have written the Emerald Tablet and the Corpus Hermeticum (two highly influential, ancient teachings).

Who is Thoth in the Bible?

Thoth, (Greek), Egyptian Djhuty, in Egyptian religion, a god of the moon, of reckoning, of learning, and of writing. He was held to be the inventor of writing, the creator of languages, the scribe, interpreter, and adviser of the gods, and the representative of the sun god, Re.

Is Hermes a god?

Hermes, Greek god, son of Zeus and the Pleiad Maia; often identified with the Roman Mercury and with Casmilus or Cadmilus, one of the Cabeiri. His name is probably derived from herma (see herm), the Greek word for a heap of stones, such as was used in the country to indicate boundaries or as a landmark.