Pretty much as you say. As for reconciliation -- that's the goal: to reconcile the opposites and arrive at oneness or without-other-ness. Thus, you may also liken Gnostics to various shramana traditions (yogis, etc.) and subsequently Buddhist monks, and Kabbalah to their tantric counterparts. There are always at least two paths, seemingly opposing approaches, that lead to the goal. But as I said, the systems themselves are incomplete and flawed (which, however, can be said also about current day state of any and all traditions and their de facto understanding and practices). Hence, one must walk the last mile solely by ear. Essentially, be a reformer in the vein of Siddhartha or Jesus in their respective eras -- depart from all systems, beliefs, interpretations, etc. and see reality for what it is ;)