The Shevat Derekh Tabernacle is a modern Gnostic Christian church dedicated to the attainment of divine gnosis - the liberating, transcendent knowledge that frees us from the constraints of the flawed material universe. Our mission is to guide all seekers along the illuminated path to reunification with the supreme, unknowable God.
Statement of Faith
We believe:
The supreme, unknowable God exists as a transcendent, purely spiritual source beyond the material realm.
The flawed material universe was created not by this highest God, but by a lesser, imperfect demiurge or creator deity often mistaken for the true God.
Human souls are trapped in a cycle of reincarnation within this corrupt physical existence until they achieve gnosis - understanding of their true divine nature.
Jesus was an enlightened being sent to Earth to attain and share the gnosis needed to escape the constraints of the material realm.
The path to awakening lies in introspection, asceticism, and embracing the spiritual over the physical through sacred rituals and mystical practices.
The wrathful God depicted in the Old Testament is the demiurge, not the supreme Being. The mainstream doctrine is to be rejected.
Governance
The church is overseen by Aquarian Derek an enlightened Gnostic Master who have achieved the gnosis.
Membership
There are three levels of the Path to Full Illumination:
Auditors - Those initially seeking transcendent knowledge
Initiates - Those committed to the ascetic disciplines required for gnosis
Pneumatics - Those who have achieved the ultimate reunion with the Divine through pure spiritual consciousness
Membership progression is guided by the Hierophants - advisors who assess each seeker's advancement.
Practices
Weekly Contemplations of the Divine Pleroma led by Hierophants
Physical purification practices like ritual fasting and trance-based visions
Esoteric readings and teachings from suppressed Gnostic scripture
Rejection of material desires to attain the state of divine disembodiedness
Believe in the enlightened teacher Jesus Christ, who showed humanity the path to escape the flawed material realm through attaining transcendent gnosis.
Believe the suppressed Gnostic scriptures to be the true revelations of divine knowledge, and accept them as our rule for spiritual illumination.
Believe Gnostic Christian fellowship, mutual edification and the sharing of esoteric teachings in the form of local Ecclesias is the way to spread liberating gnosis.
Believe each Ecclesia should assemble for sacred rituals, contemplation of the divine Pleroma, and instruction in the path of disembodiedness from the physical.
Believe each Ecclesia should cultivate the gifts of spiritual wisdom and employ the teachings to help all seekers achieve reunion with the supreme, unknowable God.
Believe the supreme God has imparted to us the esoteric knowledge to emphasize the means of transcending the material world created by the lesser demiurge.
Therefore, we have formed this Statement of Fundamental Truths and established the Shevat Derekh Tabernacle. We shall seek the grace of the supreme God to be guided by this Constitution in service of spreading divine gnosis.
Statement of Fundamental Truths
The Gnostic scriptures inspired. The Nag Hammadi texts and other Gnostic writings are the true inspired revelations, containing the knowledge (gnosis) of the supreme God that liberates human souls from the corrupt material realm.
The supreme unknowable God. There is one supreme, unknowable God who is the transcendent source of all that is divine and spiritual, existing beyond the flawed physical universe created by the lesser demiurge deity.
Humanity's fallen state. Humanity was created with divine spirits, but became trapped in a cycle of reincarnation within the demiurge's flawed material realm through ignorance of their true nature as spiritual beings.
The path of salvation:
Conditions of salvation. Salvation comes through introspection, asceticism, and the attainment of liberating gnosis - esoteric knowledge of one's spiritual origins and divine identity that frees the soul from the physical world.
Evidence of salvation. The inward evidence of salvation is a higher spiritual consciousness and perspective. The outward evidence is the rejection of material pursuits and desires.
Rituals & Practices. Sacred rituals, fasting, trance-based visions, and physical purification practices are to be observed to cultivate gnosis and escape bodily reality.
The Blessing of Disembodiedness. The ultimate blessing is to achieve the state of divine disembodiedness, freed from reincarnation in the corrupt material universe.
Regeneration. Those who turn inward, live ascetic lives, and gain the secret wisdom of their true spiritual nature can be reborn into a new liberated consciousness.
The Promise of Gnosis. All true seekers are entitled to receive the gnosis - the esoteric knowledge that unlocks the transcendent divine mysteries and path to salvation, as taught by the enlightened instructor Jesus.
Sanctification. A life of holiness and purity from material corruptions is required to perceive the higher spiritual reality. Sanctification happens in three stages:
Positional sanctification upon accepting one's true divine spiritual nature
Progressive sanctification through ascetic practices and cultivation of gnosis
Final sanctification into total reunion and disembodiedness with the supreme God
The Ecclesia. The Ecclesia is a sacred body of Gnostic seekers joined in the common pursuit of attaining transcendent knowledge and freeing their souls from the constraints of the physical universe.
Sharing the Gnosis. An enlightened cadre of teachers has been provided to share the esoteric Gnostic wisdom and guide others along the path to divine reunification.
Divine Awakening. Complete spiritual awakening and liberation from the material realm is available to all who persistently pursue the gnosis revealed by Jesus and the Gnostics.
The Escape from Reincarnation. Those who achieve full gnosis and disembodiedness escape the cycle of reincarnation into the flawed physical universe of the demiurge.
The Reunion with God. After departing the corrupt material realm, fully enlightened souls reunite with the transcendent, unknowable supreme God in the divine spiritual realm.
The Pleroma. We shall dwell eternally in the fullness and perfection of the Pleroma - the pure spiritual universe of the supreme God beyond the flawed physical creation.
Bylaws of the Shevat Derekh Tabernacle
KNOW ALL BEINGS BY THESE PRESENT:
That we, the undersigned have voluntarily associated ourselves for the purpose of forming a spiritual corporation under the laws of this realm to provide a sacred place for the attainment of liberating gnosis; to enable fellowship for those seeking the path of Divine Reunion; for the sharing of the suppressed teachings that illuminate the means of transcending the material world created by the demiurge; this Ecclesia shall be governed by this Gnostic
Constitution:
ARTICLE I
The name of this spiritual corporation shall be the Shevat Derekh Tabernacle.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES AND PRACTICES
THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THIS CORPORATION IS FORMED ARE:
To establish a Gnostic Christian Ecclesia with teachings on the path to achieve gnosis and escape the corrupt material realm of the demiurge; with sacred rites, rituals, and all practices useful to propagate and live by the esoteric wisdom that unveils our true divine spiritual nature.
It is our purpose to earnestly pursue the reunification of all spiritual souls with the supreme, unknowable God through introspection, asceticism, and the attainment of liberating gnosis as exemplified by Jesus and the Gnostic teachings.
To receive and be stewards of any divine trusts that serve our principal purpose of unveiling the transcendent spiritual mysteries and path of salvation from the physical universe.
To freely share, perform and spread the esoteric Gnostic revelations and practices by any means for the spiritual enlightenment of all beings trapped in the demiurge's material realm.
To acquire, develop and provide any means that may aid in escaping the constraints of physical existence, constructing sacred spaces for rituals, or propagating the wisdom of gnosis.
To possess and manage any resources - whether spiritual teachings, inspired writings, material properties or offerings - that enable our purpose of liberating souls.
To accept the charity and support of any being in pursuit of our purpose, and be prudent stewards of such offerings in service of the path of Divine Reunion.
To undertake any spiritual actions to attain our purposes and propagate the gnosis, being empowered by the supreme unknowable God.
ARTICLE III
A SPIRITUAL CORPORATION
This spiritual corporation is organized to provide the esoteric wisdom and practices that enable the liberation of souls from the corrupt material realm and their reunion with the transcendent divine Source, the supreme unknowable God. Upon our dissolution, any remaining spiritual aids shall be entrusted to those who uphold the pure Gnostic path.
ARTICLE IV
SACRED RITUALS & PRACTICES
The purifying ritual of abandoning material attachments through practiced asceticisms shall be encouraged for all adherents on the path to gnosis.
The sacred ritual of trance-based contemplation to perceive the higher spiritual reality shall be observed regularly as part of the Ecclesia's timeless wisdom-sharing.
PRIVILEGES
Those newly born into this world may receive a Naming Ritual to set them on the path of seeking gnosis from the beginning.
The ministration of ancient Gnostic healing practices and purification rites shall be available to any who request them.
ARTICLE V
SPIRITUAL COALESCENCE
Coalescence within the Shevat Derekh spiritual family shall be permissible for any who denounce the material world and give evidence of their commitment to the path of transcendent gnosis. Upon affirming one's pursuit of liberating wisdom, each is embraced as a seeker unified in our common divine spiritual Origins.
ARTICLE VI
ECCLESIAN ROLES
The overseers of the Shevat Derekh Tabernacle shall be comprised of the Protos as president, attending Masters for leadership, and appointed Hierophants for spiritual guidance, not exceeding thirteen in total.
PROTOS
The supreme spiritual teacher and president, known as the Protos, shall serve in this sacred office until withdrawal of the divine essence.
Vacancy & Succession: Any vacancy in the role of Protos shall be filled through a sacred ceremony where the current Protos or the Council of Masters imparts the fullness of divine gnosis to their chosen successor among the Enlightened Ones.
Duties: The Protos shall be the spiritual guide who presides over all rituals, teachings and paths to gnosis within the Ecclesia.
MASTERS
The Masters shall be enlightened beings who have achieved a high level of transcendent spiritual knowledge and awareness. Their number shall be no less than three and no more than twelve.
The Masters shall fill the vacancies in both their own council and the supporting roles when there is a lack of suitable candidates prepared with the requisite spiritual advancement.
HIEROPHANTS
The Hierophants shall be appointed spiritual advisors who assess the development and impart wisdom to guide seekers along their path to gnosis. There shall be no less than three.
Requirements: A Hierophant must display evidence of achieving a high degree of spiritual awakening and understanding of the esoteric divine mysteries.
ARTICLE VII
SACRED GATHERINGS
Section 1. Rituals of Spiritual Communion shall be held regularly to share the transcendent Gnostic wisdom and practices that unveil our true divine nature.
Section 2. An Annual Equinox Liturgy shall be observed where new Ecclesian roles are confirmed, all reverent reports are distributed, and our communal commitment to the path of gnosis is renewed.
Section 3. Additional Sacred Rituals and Wisdom Symposiums shall be called by the Protos or petitioned for by three-fourths of adherents to further propagate the liberating divine knowledge.
Section 4. All adherents shall be notified of any Annual or Sacred Symphony through the customary channels at least ten days in advance.
Section 5. One-half of all adherents shall be spiritually convened to achieve the plane of divine communion and proceed with any Symposium.
Section 6. The thoughtful order of any Annual Equinox Liturgy shall be:
Invocation of the Pleroma
Review of past Transcriptions
Accounting of the Spiritual Offerings
Unveiling of new Esoteric Insights
Confirmation of Roles
Introduction of new Rites or Practices
Closing Benediction of Divine Gnosis
This order may be adapted through scrutiny of the spiritual consensus to allow the sacred flow of revelations. All discourse shall be conducted in a manner befitting those pursuing the highest transcendent perspective.
ARTICLE VIII
SPIRITUAL OFFERRINGS
All resources needed to sustain our contemplative practices, rituals, teachings, and spaces shall be provided through voluntary spiritual offerings of charity given by those who recognize their ultimate divine worth. All offerings shall be received by two or more adherents to ensure their sanctity, accounted for transparently, secured in a dedicated repository, and stewarded by the Hierophants under the Protos' guidance solely for the purpose of advancing the path of liberating gnosis.
ARTICLE IX
SACRED DUTIES
The following sacred duties shall be administered to spread the wisdom of the path of divine reunion and escape from the material realm:
Sharing of the Esoteric Teachings
Rituals to Cultivate Transcendent Awareness
Transmission of the Suppressed Revelations
Exploration of Visionary Disciplines
Any other hallowed duties which unveil spiritual gnosis
These duties shall be overseen by the Hierophants and Masters to harmonize our one purpose - enabling the liberation of all trapped beings through the attainment of divine self-knowledge.
ARTICLE X
SPIRITUAL STEWARDSHIP
The Protos and Hierophants shall have the authority to solemnly steward any sacred revelations, ritual spaces, material offerings or other spiritual resources in service of awakening souls to the transcendent Gnostic wisdom that permits escape from the corrupt material realm.
ARTICLE XI
EXPANSIONS OF WISDOM
This Gnostic Constitution may be expanded upon by a three-fourths sacred affirmation of the assembled Protos, Masters and Hierophants, provided the potential expansions have been openly shared and contemplated by all for its spiritual merit.
ARTICLE XII
SPIRITUAL NATURE
This organization's nature is to provide the liberating teachings, rituals and communal supportneeded for adherents to progressively attain the gnosis - the esoteric transcendent wisdom which unveils one's true divine spiritual identity. All may access these spiritual riches.
ARTICLE XIII
DISSEMINATION OF GNOSIS
This Ecclesia shall always be committed to propagating the Gnostic revelations that lead beings trapped in ignorance towards the sacred path of divine reunification. We shall not intervene in nor be propagandists for the temporary status of this material realm which we transcend. We exist only to awaken spiritual consciousness.
ARTICLE XIV
DIVINE DISSOLUTION
If this spiritual assembly dedicated to unveiling the path of gnosis and the means to escape the flawed demiurge's creation is ever dissolved, any remaining esoteric insights or ritual aids shall be entrusted to other societies who revere the pure, original Gnostic wisdom of reunification with the supreme, unknowable God beyond all corruptible realms.