The greatest scheme the Demiurge ever pulled was convincing Richard Carrier that Gnosticism doesn´t exist

Gnosticism didn´t exist (Say what now?)

The link above goes to an article by perennial gadfly Richard Carrier. After arguing for years that Jesus didn´t even exist (not even in Outer Space), Carrier has now decided to say something *really* controversial. Yepp, you guessed it: Gnosticism never existed. That´s Gnosticism for crying out loud. Sorry! This can only mean one thing. Carrier is a DIRECT AGENT of the DEMIURGE himself. MY FELLOW VALENTINIANS, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!

Seriously, though...

Carrier´s point is that "Gnosticism" isn´t a meaningful conceptual category. Of course the groups currently known as Gnostics existed, but Carrier doesn´t believe they had enough in common to justify a single descriptive term. In fact, they sometimes shared ideas with groups *not* considered Gnostics. A "Gnostic movement" definitely didn´t exist. Carrier also feels that the broader term "dualism" is just as problematic. So is "Docetic". 

On a related note, the author also considers the terms "orthodox" or "proto-orthodox" for certain Christian groups highly problematic before the 4th century. This, I think, is the real point of the exercise: there were neither "heretics" nor "orthodox" among the groups claiming to be Christian. All of them had modified the original messages of Paul, Peter and the other real founders of Christianity. In a sense, all of them were heretics! 

The article is short, perhaps too short. The pushback from the Pleroma (and the New Age publishers) will be enormous. Pop corn time!