Crossword-Solution: GNOSIS 6 letters, 11 clues 🏆 scrabble score: 7

The attempt to rationalize the conception of deity as embodied in the Jehovah of the Old Testament gave rise to the class of opinions described as Gnosis, or Gnosticism.

The signification of Gnosis is simply "rationalism,"--the endeavour to harmonize the materialistic statements of an old mythology with the more advanced spiritualistic philosophy of the time.

There have been many who have known as much English as Shakespeare, and so, doubtless, there have been no fewer who have known as much music as Handel: perhaps Bach, probably Haydn, certainly Mozart; as likely as not, many a known and unknown musician now living; but the poet is not known by knowledge alone—not by _gnosis_ only—but also, and in greater part, by the _agape_ which makes him wish to steal men’s hearts, and prompts him so to apply his knowledge that he shall succeed.

Jones talking with me once on this subject, and about _agape_ as against _gnosis_ in art, said, “Oh that men should put an enemy into their brains to steal away their hearts.” At any rate he and I have written “Narcissus” on these principles, and are not without hope that what it has lost in erudition it may have gained in freshness.

They were quite sure they had attained a certain "gnosis"--had, more or less successfully, solved the problem of existence; while I was quite sure I had not, and had a pretty strong conviction that the problem was insoluble.