Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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DEMIURGE

Originally a craftsman working for the people, used by Plato (427-347 B.C.) to designate the Maker of the Material Universe. The Demiurge became a common term in Gnosticism and other heretical systems. He was the maker of the world, the personification of evil who caused Christ's crucifixion, at once distinct from the Supreme God and an emanation from him. Some Gnostics identified him with Yahweh of the Old Testament, from whose power man was rescued by Christ in the New Testament. (Etym. Greek d_mos, people + ergon, work: d_miourgos, artisan, craftsman.)