Eric Voegelin, a leading political theorist, contends that certain modern movements, including Positivism, Hegelianism, Marxism, and the "God Is Dead" movement, are variants of the Gnostic tradition of antiquity. Voegelin attempts to resolve the intellectual confusion that has resulted from the dominance of Gnostic thought by clarifying the distinction between political gnosticism and the philosophy of politics. Highly provocative, this program is essential listening for students of modern politics, philosophy, and religion.