Home » Mind & Soul » Church History » Cathar Connections to Gnosticism Continued

Cathar Connections to Gnosticism Continued

© Michelle Powell-Smith

The beliefs of the Cathars resulted in specific ascetic behaviors. While we know little of gnostic behavior, certain texts do indicate that an ascetic lifestyle was expected, at least within Christian, Valentinian gnosticism. As it was also with the gnostics, heresiologists often accused the Cathars of licentiousness, including orgies and other bizarre sexual behavior. It is, of course, impossible to know whether there is any truth to these allegations. Pierre des Vaux de Cernay, a thirteenth-century churchman, wrote of the "perfected" Cathars: "Those who were called "perfect" wore a black dress,falsely pretended to chastity, abhorred the eating of flesh, eggs and cheese, wished to appear not liars when they were continually telling lies, chiefly respecting God."

While Pierre de Vaux de Cernay was an orthodox Christian, his writing clearly indicates the behavior of the Cathars. He is, unlike many of the inquisitors of the period, a fairly reliable and objective source. He reports that the "perfected" Cathars wore simple dress, avoided eating foods contaminated by sexuality, such as meat and cheese, and lived chaste lives. Like many other orthodox sources, he accuses the Cathar "believers" of sexual licentiousness and usury.

While there are few behavioral guidelines within gnostic texts, the Gospel of Truth does discuss what is expected of one who has heard the "Call." These guidelines, while more ambiguous, are similar to those set out for the Cathar "perfects." The gnostic is encouraged to preach and share his divine knowledge, "Speak of the truth with those who search for it and of knowledge to those who have committed sin in their error." The encouragement to share revelation is common both to gnosticism and Catharism. Ethical considerations also appear within the Gospel of Truth. "Be concerned with yourselves; do not be concerned with other things which you have rejected from yourselves. Do not return to what you have vomited to eat it. Do not be moths. Do not be worms, for you have already cast it off. Do not become a dwelling place for the devil, for you have already destroyed him."

In both Catharism and Valentinian gnosticism, anti-cosmicism is emphasized. The gnostic who has been enlightened or the Cathar who has received the consolamentum are expected to behave in an appropriate and rather ascetic manner. There do not appear to be any behavioral restrictions on gnostics or Cathars prior to their full initiation into the faith. Among the Cathars, intensely ascetic practices were expected of those who had undergone the consolamentum, but not of those who were identified as "believers." Both the gnostic and the Cathar and encouraged to share the message of their faith and to turn away from the world. While the Gospel of Truth is not terribly specific, it seems to imply physical restrictions on behavior, including eating and sexuality.

The copyright of the article Cathar Connections to Gnosticism Continued in Church History is owned by . Permission to republish Cathar Connections to Gnosticism Continued in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.