Was The Monad a Gnostic Invention? | From Yahweh to The One

Was the Monad invented by the Gnostics? Or did the idea of a supreme source above the creator develop over centuries? In this episode, we trace the evolution of transcendence — from early Yahweh worship and post-exilic Jewish theology to Greek philosophy, Pythagoras, Plato, Philo of Alexandria, and finally the Gnostic radicalization of the divine hierarchy. We examine: • Zoroastrian dualism • Early Israelite monolatry • The shift to strict monotheism • The Pythagorean Monad • Plato’s Form of the Good • Philo’s Logos • The Demiurge and the Pleroma • Plotinus and Neoplatonism • Manichaeism and late antique cosmology The question is not whether the Gnostics created transcendence. The question is whether they pushed it further than anyone else dared. This is not theology. It is intellectual history. Chapters: 00:00 The Problem of the Creator 02:40 The Age of Supreme Gods 09:47 The Greek Shift: The Monad 18:40 Jewish Transcendence After Exile 25:16 Philo and the Logos 30:46 The Ebionites and Elcesaites 34:05 The Gnostic Radicalization 43:39 Plotinus and the One 53:35 Was the Monad Invented? Next episode: Judaism or Greek Philosophy — What Really Shaped Christianity? Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @beforereligion   Ready to deconstruct history? Join the discussion! 🔔 Subscribe: https://bit.ly/RestWithJesusSub Disclaimer: This content is presented for educational and discussion purposes only. It explores historical, philosophical, and theological ideas and does not provide religious instruction, spiritual guidance, or authoritative truth claims. Viewers are encouraged to use personal discernment. ––– Before Religion: The Veiled Truth - here we trace faith back to its origins, revealing the shocking history of how the major religions were built. Our mission is to uncover the ancient pagan roots, expose the institutional cover-ups, and detail the political power plays that shaped the Bible and early church. More than a history lesson; it's a critical look at the intersection of power and faith. This is religious history with a twist: Unveiling the pagan roots of modern faith. #beforereligion #Gnosticism #Monad #Neoplatonism #ChurchHistory #AncientPhilosophy #Demiurge #Philo #Plotinus #ReligiousHistory #IntellectualHistory