9th May, 2022.

BEWARE OF ANTI BIBLE PHILOSOPHIES Pt.10

Col2:8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

GNOSTICISM

The most dangerous philosophical thought that threatened the early church was Gnosticism. Some bible scholars believe the epistle of 1 John was written to address Gnostic heresy that pervaded that time. Also, it is believed that some writings of Paul addressed the error of Gnosticism though another school of thought believed otherwise. However, the teachings of the bible is anti Gnosticism. This philosophy is influenced by Plato. What does Gnosticism stand for? What do Gnostics teach? First, Gnosticism believe that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. This is called "Dualism". This presupposes that anything done in the body, even the vilest sin, has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only. In essence, you cannot help but sin because your body( matter) is inherently evil and any sin you commit with your body doesn't matter. Only your spirit is pure. That's totally heretic. Paul enjoined that we abstain from bodily and spirit pollution: "Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God"(2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT). Complete holiness is what bible teaches.

In the early days of Christianity, the libertines built a doctrine on this flawed premises thereby giving license to people to sin. Unfortunately, some in the "Hyper Grace" camp also teaches this Gnostic belief. I once read on the wall of someone who quoted a preacher who said "If a man dies while committing adultery, as long as he is born again, he will make it to heaven." I read another man who claimed that saved/ born again homosexuals will make heaven. Isn't that surprising? This is akin to saying once saved you're forever saved regardless of what you do because Grace covers you. It seems similar views existed in the days of apostle Jude and he warned saying: "I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ"(Jude 1:4 NLT). We live in the last days, the resurgence of "special knowledge" being peddled as revelation is leading many astray.

Also, Gnostics claim to possess special knowledge a “higher truth” known only to a certain few. This knowledge is not from the bible but acquired on some mystical plane of existence. Beware of spiritual knowledge that is not from the bible. Gnostics believe salvation is gained through acquisition of special knowledge. This is not biblical. Salvation is by faith not through "special knowledge" : “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Gnosticism denied the humanity of Jesus. They believe that Jesus’ physical body was not real, but only “seemed” to be physical, and that His spirit descended upon Him at His baptism, but left Him just before His crucifixion. This claim is known as "Docetism". The biblical view of Jesus affirms His complete humanity as well as His full deity. John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth". God became a man to save sinful men. Apostle Paul confirmed his humanity: "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross"( Phil2:8). This is a fundamental bible truth. Do not subscribe to Gnostic heresies. It is damaging. All these philosophical heresies is a call to study Bible thoroughly and patiently. It is also a call to in-depth teaching of the bible. Don't love "jamboree" meetings, attend bible study meetings. The wave of false doctrine is tossing people here and there and we must be on guard.