Christian Publishing House Blog
Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
In "Aren’t the Gospels the Product of Greek Thinking?", we explore the historical backdrop of the New Testament era, the philosophical influences of the time, and how they may or may not have shaped early Christian thought. Delving into discussions around the Gospel of John, Gnostic beliefs, and claims of pagan influence, this article seeks to provide clarity on the uniqueness of the Gospels in the midst of a Hellenistic world.
Gnosticism (Greek: γνωστικός, gnōstikós, 'having knowledge') is a collection of religious ideas and systems which may have had some beginnings in the late 1st century AD among the Jews and early Christian.
Scholar R. E. O. White calls Gnosticism a combination of “philosophic speculation, superstition, semi-magical rites, and sometimes a fanatical and even obscene cultus.” Andrew M. Greeley of the University of Arizona says: “The Jesus of the Gnostics is sometimes incoherent, sometimes unintelligible, and sometimes more than a little creepy.” Jesus as Gnostic savior — Jesus is identified by some Gnostics as an embodiment of the supreme being who became incarnate to bring …
Gnosticism heresy is a collection of ancient religious ideas and systems which originated in the first century AD among early Christian and Jewish sects. These various groups emphasized personal spiritual knowledge over orthodox teachings, traditions, and ecclesiastical authority.
The Gnostics (Greek gnosis, meaning “knowledge”) maintained they had superior knowledge by way of secret revelation and bragged that they were the “correctors of the apostles.” Gnosticism weaved philosophy, speculation, and pagan mysticism with apostate (false) Christianity.
As was His custom, Jesus then turned the discussion toward His mission. He informed Pilate that His kingly role was identified with testifying “to the truth. Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me” (18:37). Pilate’s response has become legendary: “What is truth?” (18:29). Was it a serious question? sarcastic? We simply do... Continue Reading →