SPECIAL TOPIC: GNOSTICISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: GNOSTICISM (from Greek word gnosis,
which means “knowledge,” cf. I Tim. 6:20)

I. The setting of the first century

The Roman world of the first century was a time of
eclecticism between the Eastern and Western religions. The gods of the Greek and
Roman pantheons were in ill repute. The Mystery religions were very popular
because of their emphasis on personal relationship with the deity and secret
knowledge. Secular Greek philosophy was popular and was merging with other
worldviews. Into this world of eclectic religion came the exclusiveness of the
Christian faith (Jesus is the only way to God, cf. John 14:6). Whatever the
exact background of the heresy, it was an attempt to make the exclusivism
of Christianity (i.e., John 14:6; 1 John 5:12) plausible and intellectually acceptable to a wider Greek-Roman
audience. It is possible that Gnostic thought originated in fringe Jewish
sects (i.e., one example: DSS Sect). This may explain some of the Jewish
elements of NT books related to Gnosticism.

II. Some of the basic tenets of the heresy by internal
evidence from 1 John.

A. a denial of the incarnation of Jesus Christ

B. a denial of the centrality of Jesus Christ in salvation

C. a lack of an appropriate Christian lifestyle

D. an emphasis on knowledge (often secret)

E. a tendency toward exclusivism and elitism

III. Incipient Gnosticism of the first century

A. The basic teachings of Incipient Gnosticism of the first
century seem to have been an emphasis on the ontological (eternal) dualism
between spirit and matter. Spirit (high god) was considered good, while matter
was inherently evil. This dichotomy resembles

1. Platonism’s ideal versus
physical

2. heavenly versus earthly

3. invisible versus visible There was
also an overemphasis on the importance of secret knowledge (passwords or secret
codes which allow a soul to pass through the angelic spheres [aeons]
up to the high god) necessary for salvation.

4. possibly an influence from Zoroastrianism

B. There are two forms of Incipient Gnosticism which
apparently could be in the background of 1 John

1. Docetic Gnosticism, which denies the true humanity of
Jesus because matter is evil

2. Cerinthian Gnosticism, which identifies the Christ with
one of many aeons or angelic levels between the good
high god and evil matter. This “Christ Spirit” indwelt the man Jesus at his
baptism and left him before his crucifixion.

3. of these two groups some practiced asceticism (if the
body wants it, it is evil), the other antinomianism (if the body wants it, do
it)

C. There is no written evidence of a developed system of
Gnosticism in the first century. It is not until the middle of the second
century that documented evidence existed (see Nag Hammadi Texts). For further information about
“Gnosticism” see

1. The Gnostic Religion by Hans
Jonas, published by Beacon Press

2. The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine
Pagels, published by Random House

3. The Nag Hammadi Gnostic Texts and
the Bible by Andrew Helmbold

IV. The Heresy Today

A. The spirit of this heresy is present with us today when people try to combine
Christian truth with other systems of thought.

B. The spirit of this heresy is present with us today when people emphasize
“correct” doctrine to the exclusion of personal relationship and lifestyle
faith.

C. The spirit of this heresy is present with us today when people turn
Christianity into an exclusive intellectual eliteness.

D. The spirit of this heresy is present with us today when religious people turn
to asceticism or antinomianism as the best way to find favor with God.