What is the Demiurge - Pt 1 - How the God Yahweh Became a Demon 

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Watching this, I couldn't help but remember "George Costanza Theology". George: God would never let me be successful. He'd kill me first. He'd never let me be happy. Therapist: I thought you didn't believe in God. George: I do for the bad things.

The thumbnail is metal AF

When I was a teenager, my grandma accidentally ate a marijuana-laced brownie, then kept screaming about "Gettin' demiurged." Later I learned that she was part of an esoteric reading group in South Carolina back in the 50s.

"When God gives you lemons, you FIND A NEW GOD." _- Powerthirst 2, 2007_

i was absolutely NOT prepared for the emotional ton of bricks that was the line "nostalgia is basically a form of depression" right out the gate

Sometimes your sarcasm, Dr. Sledge , is deep and wide. "The Israelites live fine after this; nothing bad ever happens to them later."

Nostalgia can be a form of depression. It's a wise observation. But as someone who regularly throws N64 Mario Kart parties, it can also be pure bliss.

Justin is one of the few speakers I have listened to that always notifies the audience precisely when the conversation goes from fact to speculation. And he also provides reasonable reasons for why the speculation is necessary within the context. And then he takes it a step further and gives the audience an idea of to what degree that speculation can be relied upon. Huge thanks for that. Educators of all types should be taking notes.

Where is the music for the opening? I had to mute it because "DANCE ALL DAY Musicvertriebs GmbH" - www.dance-all-day.com/#contact - is fraudulently claiming that my use of 18 seconds of a public domain version of Chopin's Nocturne is under their copyright and RU-vid is doing nothing about it. So, I had to remove the music opening sequence and have to have the music re-recorded at my own expense. It isn't fair that a large corporation can falsely claim music as their property in an attempt to hijack the funds I use to support this educational channel. Please consider supporting Esoterica at Patreon so I can have some financial independence from RU-vid given that they so easily betray creators to corporate greed and fraud. Many thanks for your support!

I've always felt like the Demiurge is like the natural conclusion to the question of "why do human beings suffer?", at least in my mind it makes more sense than "God has a plan for everyone".

I absolutely love the early years of the Yahwish/Christian divide in the Early Classical period. The wrestling match between traditional polytheistic beliefs, proto-monotheism, and the earliest notes of modern monotheism produced some truly wild dogmas

“huh, this looks like an interesting video” “aaaaaand there goes my evenings for the next week” great work!

I love how learning Elder Scrolls lore (men vs eleves in their worship of Lorkhan) really helps understand the concept of a demiurge.

As soon as you mentioned Donkeys I immediately thought "oh my god this is how we get Alexamenos" and I am flabbergasted. Never would I have expected this video to cover a synchretization of Yahweh with Set, but to then lead from there to that being the origins of the Alexamenos graffiti is such a wild ride.

Thank you for another fascinating dive into the depths of early Christian and Gnostic theology, Dr. Sledge. Your exploration of the origins of the malevolent Demiurge and its connection to the demonization of Yahweh in Egyptian and Roman contexts was both enlightening and thought-provoking. It's incredible how religious and cultural factors intertwined to shape these theological concepts. I'm eagerly looking forward to your future episodes, which promise to shed even more light on this complex and intriguing topic. Keep up the excellent work!

Only guy I have seen who can make a dispassionate and intellectual video about these subjects.

Finally, I'm gonna figure out what this Demiurge guy is all about. Heard he's been beefing with me for eons.

I love the use of the Beksiński painting on the thumbnail. There is something very fitting about pairing his work with gnostic discussion.

I appreciate the irony of the subject matter more than ever after being told that " _Nostalgia_ is a form of _depression_ " by someone who chooses a career teaching such a specialized topic of History. 😉 This channel is sincerely the best single source of ongoing esoteric instruction in human history . I appreciate your dedication, your content, and the community of amazing, curious and sophisticated people who congregate here to learn. Cheers!

Love your choice for thumbnails as beksinski paintings which perfectly sets the tone for the video which is interesting and yet haunting

The best channel about occultism

Some of the things you say are hilariously brilliant. Thank you for your educational entertainment. "...nostalgia is basically a form of depression." "When God gives you lemons, God must be evil." "Like Elmo on MDMA." "I'm going to get donkey-cancelled." And that's just this video alone. Definitely joining your Patreon to help fund the new intro music. 👍

This is great. One thing about Set. You can always count on him popping up in all sorts of weird and unexpected places.

The inversion of the beneficent God almost sounds like Zoroastrian leftovers lol very interesting video, top quality as always. The name Samael is giving me Silent Hill flashbacks 😂

❤ playing your intro music in my head. it’s still there 🎶

seeing "pt 1" has made me very happy. My professor of history in community college told me that he was fascinated by the gnostic view and I've only touched on it a bit, thank you for making the content that you do.

This video, among so many others of yours, Dr. Sledge, is a fantastic and fascinating analysis of this subject. I absolutely can not wait for more videos on this subject and just about every other subject you cover. I love your channel and intend to make a donation to your Patreon to help in your continuing work. Thank you so much for your scholarly insights and impeccably astute observations on all the material you cover.

Fantastic as always. Couldn't help but think of that one bronze statue that was originally Set in a typical Ba'al pose that was retrofitted to be Amon (ears removed, horns added, neat hat added) as you were talking of the different "applications" of Set.

An incredible history lesson. I've read about 'gnostic' beliefs before, but never even thought about how they might arise naturally from the religious and cultural climate of its time and place

"Mississippi Marcionites" sounds like an ill-advised college sports team mascot.

I'm a Muslim Israeli from Iraq, I appreciate your knowledge big brother, may god bless you and keep you safe from the evil of this world

Nostalgia is basically a form of depression. Damn..... that hurts.

And Jesus asked, "If there were no other gods... of whom would he be jealous?" If you have ears, use them to hear.

I never thought I would be studying religion daily. You are a great teacher. Thank you.

Damn Dr. Sledge starting the year off with non stop banger videos

I think this has been one of the most direct and juicy lectures that you’ve delivered in terms of the modern landscape of religious social consciousness❤ Thank you for everything that you do.

Yahweh seems to be worshipped all over the world in different forms.

"... I think that nostalgia is basically a form of depression..." That genuinely made me laugh out loud. It's so true though, nostalgia is overrated. The worst part is that, regardless of whether it's a longing for one's own past or an historical period, the era was almost never as good as one remembers/imagines it. I know there are points from my own life, like my early 20s, I sometimes catch myself thinking that I should've appreciated it more in the moment - which, don't get me wrong, is something we should always try to do - but then when I really think about it, maybe the reason I didn't enjoy it as much as I think my rose-tinted memory warrants is because I'm leaving out all the boring stuff, the shitty parts, and the insecurities of that period of my life. I'm much more grounded and secure in my own opinion of myself at 32 and had yet to encounter, like most people of that age, the key life lessons or cultivated the (dare I say) wisdom necessary to have appreciated it more "in the moment." Instead of focusing on that bitter-sweet vision of a past that probably never actually existed, all I can do is try to focus on the present and appreciate and take advantage of the ways in which I've grown since my younger years, knowing that I'll be tempted in another decade to over sentimentalize my current life.

I’ve been following this channel for a while now. Things really started to link up for me here thank so much for this context.

My limited personal time due to work/life balance doesn’t allow me to deep dive into the subject matter you cover in your videos as much as I used to enjoy doing. I appreciate this channel allowing me to absorb information while roped in the mundane such as driving or currently, folding laundry, it’s through you that I’m able to continue pursuit of my interests

Just yesterday I decided I needed to dive into the concept of the demiurge, long neglected by me despite much study. I scoured RU-vid and nothing jumped out as suitable for starting a serious study (gathering some sources and getting some insights to help on the way) and BAM, just like magic, our guy is here with a dream come true!

I love this channel and Dr Sledge so much. I used to crave for RU-vid “explained” videos to be truly in depth and researched on such topics as Esoterica tackles. This channel makes my existence existential… thank you sir, top drawer, top drawer.

“When god gives you lemons…. God must be evil” cracked me up

Love the videos Justin, I will always keep coming back for your well laid out explanations, a suggestion that I think would make your videos preform a bit better with views though, please put a little bit of background music in there, maybe get your channel it's own little 30 second theme or something and have some calm royalty free music in the background, I think it would add a nice little something to an already great presentation 👍

Eeeeey, it's the crossover we always need 😊 Keep up the exceptional work, Dr Sledge 👏⚒️

That music-less opening has triggered my rage. Frikkin YT

First time I comment because i want to say what an fantastic video. It was an entire paradigm shift for me. I have meditated on the topic since it came out and I cant wait for p2.

Doc Sledge, I can't thank you enough for this series, given my obsession with the Demiurge and all things "Gnostic". Just the perfect time (maybe orchestrated by the Demiurge himself?) for me to come back to following your great channel.

Thank you for all your meticulously researched and highly produced video essays. It is the cherry on top of my workweeks each Friday. You are truly a godsend ❤

I've never been more hyped to click on a video, and it's only part 1.... bro is cooking

Man...like a lot of folks here, the thought that nostalgia is a form of depression never crossed my mind, but has haunted me since you uploaded this.

I love your videos, they always command attention and are not for the casual listener. Keep up the excellent work.

Been waiting for you to cover this topic!!!!

Now that your Chopin is muted you should find some black metal band to let you use a sample

What a Sunday! Only just found the channel and looking through the video backlog, I'm excited to have so many to go through. Anyway, here's a comment for the algorithm gods. May they find you still deserving of much more love and discovery.

As a Christian this idea never bothered me as it doesn’t replace the question of who/what God/source is. As the demiurge seemingly was building from pre existing clay.

Even without the intro music, it just plays in my head anyway.

I absolutely love this channel, such excellent work. Whenever I want to watch something scholarly I always come here. My ONLY request would be to somehow integrate the texts that come up a little more seamlessly. Maybe I'm the only one, and I'm just not good enough at it, but I can't help wanting to read them and it's hard when you continue talking through it. I have to pause to read it, or remind after reading, which is a bit disjointed. But again, just a very minor request and I might be alone in it. I'm not sure how you would do it, and I certainly could not create anything anywhere close to this quality.

I always put these videos on when I can’t sleep and end up waking up and fully paying attention. Esoterica is one of the rare professors that actually doesn’t put me to sleep.

Oh man this episode was fantastic! I'm so excited to go down this journey with you!!

always a good day when esoterica uploads

"I'm not a romantic and I think nostalgia is basically a form of depression" Never heard of this guy before and no idea what he's about but with this first line I am so in

Only discovered the channel a couple of months ago but have greatly enjoyed all the videos I’ve watched! Can’t wait to watch more!

As a donkey I am absolutely here to donkey cancel you. I can’t help but to conceptualize much of this as the Egyptians and the Jews dunking on each others’ God(s) via elaborate fanfics. It’s humorous but also fascinating. Humans have truly always been like this. Thank you for communicating all of this information in such a digestible way!

The human mind tends to take ideas and run with them (As we see here with the gnostics), but when we understand the core concept, all is revealed. The true philosophical concept of the one true God of this universe is all-encompassing, good and evil. Wrapped up into one. The consciousness of our universe embodies all aspects of the universe. Good, evil, light and dark. This is why we go through cycles. Night, day, life, death. You get the idea.

A technical note--please move your on screen text UP the screen and out of the way of subtitles!! I keep having to turn the subs off to be able to read your notes at the bottom of the screen. I really enjoy your content, keep up the good work!

11:14 I expected to have a great time with this video, even if I already knew the basics of this subject well enough. I didn't expect this explanation of Timaeus to be so succinctly beautiful and illuminating.

I think this might be one of your best episodes yet!

Esoterica is one of the best treasures on you-tube! Thank You for your content and I hope people find enlightenment in knowledge as I have with you!

The concept of a Demiurge has fascinated me ever since I discovered what is may be. I'm enthusiastic that you're covering this not-well-known topic.

Doc is really droppin some Bangers of late!

"I think therefore I am". My answer: " You better think again sunshine." Gotta love it. Keep going Justin! Get it!

The new theme song is so metal! Sorry RU-vid is failing you. Your content is sublime...

Dr Sledge, could you please add this to your playlists? It's nice to hit the play all button and listen to you all day!

I was so stoked to see you started this series, learning the spiteful origions of the exodus and the demiurge has made my day for real lmfao

Won't have time to listen till later, but I just know you're gonna knock it outa the park, as you always do with the Gnostic dives.

Very happy to see a video on this topic that I've been interested in for a while from an academic source like yourself! I always saw later gnosticism as the only theologically sound 'offshoot' of christianity that logically explained the separation in personality and attitude between the god of the old and new testaments. It was very interesting to learn that the theory and idea predated jesus and many of the theories that come up when one does surface level research on the philosophy.

bro said nostalgia is a style of depression and I don't think I've ever been called out so hard

I think we are all nostalgic no matter how small the memory is. It's a pure human experience and no one should ignore it.

Morning coffee tastes much better with your videos, thank you Dr. Sledge!

Loved the New episode! Sorry about the music in your intro. Keep being amazing.

Banging intro. Bold thesis. Like your work fella.

The psychic horror of a chopinless universe

I recognize that the part of my brain that experiences nostalgia is directly linked to the part of my brain that's active when I am depressed.

Absolutely amazing. This was extremely enlightening. Great job. I seen dozens of your videos now and I am impressed every single time.

Thank you for finally referencing me, the hidden Schopenhaurian in the dark who watches your videos daily. It's good to feel appreciated.

Funny thing about Demiurge is that they make such fantastic effects pedals. (i.e. Doomy(O))) ) Seriously, though, I always look forward to your content. Thank you for your hard work.

Dr. Justin, you and Filip are my favorites. This presentation in particular was superlatively excellent. Todah.

Hands down my favourite Esoterica video so far. Cannot wait for part 2! ❤

Brilliant work! I finally ordered a tshirt from your shop! Love your delivery and well thought out presentation.

This is one of my all-time favorite discussions right here. Love this channel and its discussion on Gnosticism. Is God evil? That leads to debates and questions that many thinkers throughout history asked, and are still asked to this day. Did the Ancient Greeks see Zeus or Apollo as good when they are not raping mortal women or forcing tragic heroes to push a rock up a hill for all eternity? I have been asking myself those gnostic questions since I was a little kid growing up in the 90s. And thinking about it now with the 90s being the decade of Edge and Angst. I was exposed to a lot of Gnostic themes that asked those same questions in pop culture and the underground. Those questions and themes were found in a lot of heavy metal, industrial, and goth music that I was exposed to, and fell in love with heavy dark music. I listened to all genres of metal and dark music within that decade and within the first two years of the new millennium. Listening to records from Nine Inch Nails, Feilds of the Nephilim, had those gnostic themes in their songs. Even though Trent was likely singing about what he was going through at the time. Every Nine Inch Nails record, from Pretty Hate Machine, all the way up to With Teeth, played this story in my head telling about God being evil, and it made me deeply question how can we trust in the divine? Even though Trent was most likely writing about his issues at the time and used maybe gnostic language as a metaphor for his drug addiction at the time, it's just that is how every one of those songs spoke to me. Listening to darker music and various metal bands made that question grow louder as I got older. My favorite Slayer album of all time is God Hates Us All, if that title alone doesn't say Demiurge, then I don't know what is. It wasn't just music that made me ask those questions at a young age. Other mediums came to me as well. My favorite comic book reading in the '90s and early 2000s was Spawn, and I loved the HBO Cartoon as well, those mediums were heavily gnostic times two, where Todd Mcfarlene would lay out that both God and the Devil are equally evil, both are megalomaniacs, and both have malevolent intentions for humanity. Some of those themes were found in some of my favorite Video Game series such as the Silent Hill games, and my all-time favorite Video Game series Legacy of Kain, heavily gnostic-inspired there. And even Demiurgic Gnosticism can be found in popular Japanese manga and anime such as the Beserk series. As the decades go by, that question still lingers there and has gotten louder and louder in my subconscious. Gnosticism is not just found in music, video games, and some of my favorite horror literature written by writers such as Lovecraft, King, and Barker. It's also in Fantasy as well. Even though Tolkien was a devout Catholic, the gnostic philosophy of the Demiurge did have an effect on his writing. It has even been on the minds of many brilliant minds in the world of science. When Charles Darwin was exploring the Galapagos Islands while developing the groundwork for the theory of evolution. He would observe various species of insects whose whole reproductive life cycle is to find a living host to lay their eggs in, and that host dies a horrible death by being eaten alive from the inside out by hundreds of larvae. His observations of the immense cruelty found in nature made Darwin question the morality of a benevolent God. I also find it fascinating that the themes of Gnosticism with life being a prison and a demurge have some similarities with Buddhism with the Wheel of Samara. Where Buddhism, states reincarnation is a prison, and through the core teachings of Buddhism, one can find escape from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. And seeing those paintings of the Wheel of Samsara or Wheel of Rebirth which shows the wheel is held by a Yama Demon or lord of death who holds the wheel in full control does have some Demiurgic similarities, and since the discussion in one previous video about the discovery of Buddhists living in ancient Egypt was fascinating and made me wonder. Could some Buddhist beliefs have some effect on Gnostic Demiurgic philosophy in the same way Zoroastrianism had its effect on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? The gnostic debate about the morality of a creator god has always fascinated me and inspired me to put in my fantasy stories and horror stories as well. It is a gold mine for creative writing, and I always think about Demiurgic Gnosticism when I go back to my favorite bible story about the Prophet Elisha, where a bunch of kids makes fun of Elisha's bald head, and Yahweh decides to punish the kid by having them getting mauled to death by she bears. Not only does it make God act malevolent in that story over something so childish, but it makes God petty, and insecure. I guess the creator was thinning on his crown and didn't want to be reminded through his glory boy and knew that rogain was not going to be invented until much later. God decides to teach a bunch of little kids a valuable lesson in making fun of male pattern baldness. Behind the pages of holy scripture, the foundations of a Demiurge are always closer than one notices and can give a storyteller a lot of material in horror, fantasy, and even science fiction. Love this episode, and can't wait for part two.

Josh really showed them who’s boss. Riding on a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

It’s horrible that the whole deal with the wrongful copyright infringement has caused you so much pain. I sincerely hope it gets resolved in a timely and beneficial manner and we can have your wonderful intro back in its glorious entirety.

I never bothered to look into what the into music was before. Today, I put on music for my baby to take a nap, and I heard it instantly. Frédéric Chopin Nocturne in B flat minor (Op. 9 No. 1)

"Elmo on MDMA" is a new qualifying factor you've unlocked in my mind. Thank you for all your work!

This is so cool. I had thought the basic gnostic framework must have unfolded as a response to the problem of evil- since in some ways it seems like an elegant solution to that problem, but i had no idea of all these rich historical aspects.

Thank you for this deep dive into the origins of the gnostic Christian demiurge by way of Plato and Set! I've been longing for this to be explained to me for ages. I started reading gnostic lit and apocrypha 24 years ago (as a hobby, not as a college student/scholar) and I was mystified from the outset about who this evil creator god was amd where he came from. I'm so looking forward to the rest of your series on this topic.

I gotta say, Dr. Sledge has a great sense of humor. Nostalgia is a form of depression made me giggle.

This puts Jesus riding into the city on a donky into a whole new light for me.