Political gnosticism and the search for order in existence

Synopsis

In this paper an attempt is made to clarify the symbols of quest and order in man's existence as these symbols are seen by Eric Voegelin. The problem of uniting a symbol to its engendering experience is discussed as is the complex relation between man's quests for meaning in his finite existence and his soteriological quest for meaning beyond his finite existence. The question of the intermingling of symbols from the various quests also is covered. Finally, the disorder of existence is dealt with in terms of the symbols of ancient and modern gnosticism.