Disciples of Eric Voegelin
1901-1985 Cologne, Germany. 
Associated Books
- The New Science of Politics
- Order and History
- Science, Politics and Gnosticism
Associated Terms
- Immanentize the Eschaton
- Gnostic Speculation
Usage:
For a time, Voegelin used the terms modern Gnosticism encompasses movements as diverse as "progressivism, positivism, Marxism, psychoanalysis, communism, fascism, and national socialism." In The New Science of Politics (1952) he goes so far as to define modernity as "the growth of gnosticism." Modern individuals and movements share six characteristics that Voegelin called "the gnostic attitude": dissatisfaction with the world; confidence that the ills of the world stem from the way it is organized; certainty that amelioration is possible; the assumption that improvement must "evolve historically"; the belief that human beings can change the world; and the conviction that knowledge-gnosis-is the key to change (Science, Politics and Gnosticism [1968]).-Source:Robert Segal, "Gnosticism, Ancient and Modern" Christian Century (Nov. 1995)
Voegelin later abandoned the use of the terms 'gnostic' and 'gnosticism,' something his disciples have yet to do.
Conclusion
The desire to "Immanentize the Eschaton" that Voegelin attributes to Gnosticism, came from his reading of the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church. The world becoming a paradise or heaven has never been associated with Gnosticism, in fact the reverse has always been asserted. This world has never been the point of Gnosticism, and the perfectibility of this world is inconceivable to a Gnostic. This is a concept and term that has its origin in eschatology Christianity, which does not include Gnosticism, but does include literalists and many conservative Creedal Christians who use this concept as a label for others.Voegelin's connection of Gnosticism with a desire to create a worldly utopia is completely erroneous, is entirely a new use and definition of Gnosticism. While Voegelin's great misunderstanding might be seen as due to the lack of historical information in addition to his large assumptions, the continued use by his disciples merely shows their detachment from the world they claim to describe.