Gnosticism—Part 1

1. Gnosticism—Part 1 The mystery of LAWLESSNESS (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

2. Sources of Information for this sermon Primitive Christianity in Crisis, by Alan Knight ABC lecturesby Roy Holladay ABC lectures by Darris McNeely Ambassador College class outlines by Dr. Don Ward Other information at www.ucg.org Internet websites

3. Why learn about Gnosticism? # 1 Being the number one set of heresies affecting the early NT Church, having some understanding of Gnosticism enables us to understand why the apostles wrote many of the things they did. This in turn helps us to better understand and appreciate many sections of the New Testament. # 2 Gnosticism lost popularity in the third century A.D., but many of its heresies have persisted. This enables us to better understand today’s “Christianity” (WCG!). The worst heresy is its teaching that obedience to God’s commandments is unnecessary and “legalistic”! This view is “antinomian” (anti=against; nomos=law).

4. Gnosticismplagued the NT Church! “Gnosticism” is a modern label used for the heresies that quickly infiltrated the NT Church from the late 1st century to the 3rd century. God commanded that no one “add to” or “take away from” Gods Word (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Rev. 22:18-19). Gnosticism flagrantly transgressed this command both ways. They replaced biblical laws with man’s do’s and don’ts—customs and traditions—the very thing that infuriated Jesus (Mt. 23 and Mark 7). Jesus: "I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). ONE way! (The “strait and narrow” way.) Christ’s way includes faith and works, grace and obedience, inner spirituality and outer works. Satan offers MANY ways! Irenaeus: “200 varieties of Gnosticism” Luke 21:8 – “Be not deceived… many will come in My name…” In fact, Gnosticism is not just one way. Gnosticism includes many variations! (Like variations in today’s “Christianity!”) Satan went to work immediately before the Church had the New Testament to rely on.

5. “Gnosticism” is from the Greek word gnosis In the NT, “knowledge” is the translation of gnosis or a derivative of it. (The “g” is silent just as “k” is silent in “know.”) In Gnosticism, gnosis meant mystical or hidden knowledge and wisdom that led to salvation. God’s will is learned from within instead of from the Bible. Satan: “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Eve saw that it was “a tree desirable to make onewise” (verse 6). (“Knowledge is superior to virtue.”) Lucifer (“light bringer”) has always confused people with his counterfeit “light.” (Think: my last sermon.) “O Timothy!... Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge (gnosis)” (1 Tim. 6:20, NIV). (Idealistic but a little truth was mixed with the leaven of major errors.)

6. Gnosticism is the core of “HelenisticChristianity.” In this sermon, “Gnostic Christianity” will be shorthand for today’s “Helenistic Christianity,” especially evangelicalism. In contrast to NT, Primitive, Apostolic or Jewish Christianity. “Helenism” was the culture, philosophies and religions of ancient Greece. The famous Greek philosophers were Socrates (470-399 BC), Plato(428-387 BC), Aristotle (384-322 BC), Philo (25 BC-50 AD) Much of the Helenistic culture continued in the Roman Empire(e.g., the Greek language was still widely spoken.) Why is that period called “Hellenistic?” In the NT… “Greece” is from the Greek word hellas. A “Greek” (man) is from the Greek word hellen. A “Greek” (woman) is from the Greek word hellenis. The “Greek” (language) is from hellenikos. “Hellenistic” sounds more intellectual than “Grecian!” So: When the beliefs of a Christian group are partly biblical and partly Hellenistic philosophy, we call that syncretism (amalgam) “HelenisticChristianity.” A major excuse is often ecumenism(“many pathways to God!”).

7. The good and bad of Hellenistic influences The Roman Empire absorbed much of the Helenistic culture plus the Greek language. That Greek/Roman culture was a major influence at the time of Christ. The rise and spread of the Greek empire was both good and bad for the ministry of Jesus Christ and the start of NT Christianity. Some good benefits: More peaceful (less violent and brutal), more civilized, a common language, more literacy and interest in learning, better roads, etc. But a major problem was how Hellenistic philosophies quickly began to infiltrate true Christianity. Therefore, the NT Church had to battle against Jewish resistance and Greek heresies. Absorbing Greek religious philosophies resulted in what came to be called “Gnosticism” and “Hellenistic Christianity.”

8. Christian Antinomianism Christian antinomianism: Grace has replaced law, especially OT laws. Law OR grace. Obedience OR faith. It’s not pure antinomianism (that would be anarchy!). It is selective. Religions and individuals adopt their own “do’s and don’ts, and sometimes they coincide with biblical laws. Romans 8:7 “Because the carnal mind [HUMAN NATURE] is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” Hence: “God doesn’t require me to obey this law, but I’m choosing to abide by it (most of the time) to show my love for God, because it’s practical, or because I’m a ‘good’ person.” (Self-righteous!) It ignores the many OT and NT scriptures that teach “fear of God” and warn of consequences of disobedience. God “hates” antinomianism, even selective antinomianism! The NT has many stern warnings!

9. Primitive Christianity versus Hellenistic Christianity. The apostolic Church can be called “Primitive Christianity.” (aka NT, orthodox, apostolic or Jewish Christianity). We consider “primitive” a compliment, meaning original. However, the intellectual and snobbish Greeks regarded “Jewish Christianity” as “primitive” in the sense of simplistic, legalistic, juvenile, backwards, in bondage. Worse yet, they considered it materialistic and evil!! The Greeks (including Helenized Jews) were attracted to the wise and charismatic Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, but many of them were determined to “improve” Christianity by making it more intellectual and “spiritual” by combining it with Hellenistic beliefs and divorcing it from the Old Testament. They believed in “immortal souls” through which inward “spirituality” and “revelation” comes to us from God.

10. The most common heresies of Gnosticism (Many of these affect modern Christianity.) They were antinomian (anti=against, nomos=law). They rejected and despised the Old Testament. They embraced radical dualism—strictly dividing everything into either spiritual or physical, and believing everything physical is evil and everything spiritual is good. Hence, they believed the creator of the physical world could not be a good God. (He was a lesser god and evil!) Hence, they believed Christ never became a physical man. They believed Christ entered the man Jesus at birth or at His baptism, and then left Jesus before He died. This belief is “Docetism”—the belief that Christ only “seemed” to be a human man. (This heresy lost popularity but we still frequently hear the view that Jesus was not God incarnated, no virgin birth, etc.)

11. More about Gnostic Dualism Gnosticism sounds beautiful, but perverted by dualism. This is not same as the “duality” in the Bible! “Dualism” is the belief that all spirit is good and all physical matter—including the human body—is bad and even evil. That leads to the following conclusions: “Immortal souls” are trapped inside evil bodies! The “soul” originated in heaven & must return there! The true God would not have created a physical world. The creator (YHVH) was an inferior (or evil!) deity! OT laws regulate physical actions, so are legalistic & bad! Hence, all the OT is nullified and bad! Judaism and all things Jewish are bad! (Each of these ideas reinforces the other ideas!)

12. Dualism has led to modern “spiritualizing” “No need to literally do or practice anything” To those influenced by Gnostic thinking: No need to quit working on the Sabbath. No need to have water baptism or laying on of hands. No need to wash feet and partake of wine and bread. No need to not work on HD’s and attend services. No need to put leaven out of our homes. No need to avoid unclean meats. No need to avoid wearing crosses, etc. No need to dress modestly, dress up for church, etc. No need to even attend church services. No need to study the Bible(God speaks directly to me.) No need for any disciplinary action (“Judge not…”) But, significantly, true Christianity was referred to as “the Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14).

13. Major Gnostic Influences in the First Century Simon Magus Read about Simon the Magician in Acts 8:9-13, 18-24. A considerable amount of history was written about him. He wanted the power of the Holy Spirit to do miracles! The Nicolaitans Later in this series, we will examine Rev. 2:6 and 2:15. The Nicolaitans evidently were founded by “Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,” who had been one of the first “deacons” (Acts 6:1-6). Cerinthus He promoted the idea of dualism and the belief that Christ was not incarnated but entered the body of Jesus. This is known as “Docetism.” More about this later.

14. Inner Spirituality versus Obedience to Law Gnostic dualism led to the following beliefs: Gnostics are obsessed with “inner spirituality” that includes private personal revelation. (“Me and You, God.”) God communicates with us through our souls, so we must look within for the inner “voice” and inspired feelings (!). Laws are imposed from outside, in the physical world, so obeying them interferes with true spirituality. “Laws cannot be spiritual”, although Paul said they are! (Rom. 7:14). “Codified law and obligatory obedience are ‘of the world’ and are incompatible with true spirituality.” Gnosticism teaches against sin and immorality, but “sin” is defined as not following the lead of your inner spark. (“Become more spiritual and you won’t be tempted to do bad things.” Yeah, right!) (This appeals to “New Age”) It teaches relativism and situation ethics. Goodness might or might not coincide with biblical laws. “What is good for you is not what is good for me.” “I love God and He reveals to me how to express it.” They claim to “know God” in spite of 1 John 2:4-6!

15. Dualism Resulted in Two Opposite Lifestyles! Dualism: The pure soul is trapped in an evil body. That idea led to two opposite conclusions: 1. One should deny the body pleasure by practicing asceticism. See Col. 2:20-23 and 1 Tim. 4:1-5. 2. It doesn’t matter what the body does because that has no effect on the soul. Your body is at “liberty” so it is okay to live a life of libertinism. See Jude and 2 Peter 2!

16. Reasoning Behind Sunday-Keeping “True liberation gained by rejecting all things Jewish.” “All things physical are evil, including creation.” “Even the 7th-day Sabbath is part of creation week.” “Hence, Sabbath-keeping is physical and legalistic.” “A holy day must be outside of creation week, so the obvious day for worship is the 8th day!” (Sunday!) “Hence, Sunday is the day of true rest, spiritual rest.”

17. Reasoning Behind Observing Pagan Holidays It’s perfectly fine to choose ways to worship God. God is pleased because you are honoring Him. In fact, God is probably inspiring you to keep holidays because they “seem good” and “feel good.” Voluntarily observing special times is far superior (more spiritual) than feeling obligated or forced to observe anything commanded in the Old Testament. This is ecumenical! Let’s compromise with others in order to better “get along.” Let’s make our religion blended and syncretic.

18. The NT does stress the need for sincerity of heart and true spirituality, but Gnostics twist scriptures They especially twist the writings of Paul (2 Pet. 3:16). Jesus came to “magnify the law” (Isa. 42:21, KJV). He showed the need to obey the spirit of the law (without neglecting the letter of the law!). Paul taught the same. Paul: Law-keeping does not bring justification. True repentance plus baptism brings justification. (True repentance involves submitting to God’s laws!) The New Covenant: God’s laws are written in our hearts (Heb. 8:10; 10:16; Jer. 31:33). God’s laws are not replaced by “enlightenment from one’s soul”!!

19. Gnosticism Teaches Progressive Revelation In a sense, God gave “progressive revelation” until the Bible was completed, but none has been needed since then. The Gnostics made false claims of “revelation” before the Bible was completed and continued after its completion. “The ministry of Jesus Christ was like the middle bridge of that revelation.” (He supported much of the OT but introduced New Covenant teachings.) After Jesus was resurrected, He taughta more advanced theology and then inspired a superior spirituality through the apostle Paul in his epistles. (“Pauline Theology!”) The OT is viewed as merely allegories, not to be taken literally. “It’s now obsolete and should be rejected.” 2 Peter 3:16-17—“As our beloved brother Paul… has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.”

20. Gnosticism is the “mystery of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) Satan’s “mysteries” are meant to hide truth. 2 Thes. 2:7 “lawlessness” (NKJV) or “iniquity” (KJV). “Lawlessness”: Anomia(a = against; nomos = law) Why is this heresy called a “mystery”? Because “good Christians” think “lawless” refers to gross, violent, or criminal acts, they don’t think of themselves as lawless. They are “obeying God” as He speaks to them through their hearts and souls. “OT laws are replaced by grace and faith. Legalism is replaced by liberty and inner spirituality.” It sounds righteous and spiritual and opposed to evil, but it allows or licenses ignoring biblical laws. 2 Thes. 2:7-15Paul says this heresy was already at work and would continue until the return of Christ!