Stosunek gnostyków do władzy w świetle Traktatu Trójdzielnego (Nag Hammadi Codex I, 5)

Abstract

The Christians of the second century defined their attitude towards the Roman state through the perspective of persecutions. There were expressions of sharp criticism as well as of loyalty. Also the Christian gnostics, like other persecuted Christians, had to define their relation to the state and the authorities. The best source for research of this subject is the so-called Tripartite Tractate, a text concerning Valentinian theology, from the first codex of Nag Hammadi. It contains a radical critique of all authority, particularly one which abuses its prerogatives. It denies to the Christians the right of involvement into the political life of the Empire, and for the rulers it provides the hope of salvation only under the condition of self-limitation of their power.