“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
In Greek, gnosis means “to know.” The Gnostics taught that they had a “secret knowledge” which they would eventually reveal so people could be saved. Though made up of different schools, they all believed that the material world was evil and that humanity’s goal was to escape the human body to reach the pure spiritual realm. Their disdain for the physical world led them to teach that Jesus was never fully a man. He only appeared to be human.
Of course, this doesn’t square with the Bible’s teaching that God made humans both body and soul, and that Jesus came as the God-Man to make all things—both physical and spiritual—new.
Irenaeus of Lyon (modern day France) challenged Gnosticism in his book called simply Against Heresies (AD 175-185). It presented the false teachings of the Gnostics compared to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. He encouraged Christians to depend on God’s Word alone for truth. There are no secret, hidden, mystical truths; the Scriptures are a living, breathing guide today for you and me.
Of course, this doesn’t square with the Bible’s teaching that God made humans both body and soul, and that Jesus came as the God-Man to make all things—both physical and spiritual—new.
Irenaeus of Lyon (modern day France) challenged Gnosticism in his book called simply Against Heresies (AD 175-185). It presented the false teachings of the Gnostics compared to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. He encouraged Christians to depend on God’s Word alone for truth. There are no secret, hidden, mystical truths; the Scriptures are a living, breathing guide today for you and me.
Scripture Focus
Romans 16:25-27
Insight
Jesus kept no secrets about His identity or mission. John wrote that he had “seen his glory.” Look for it today in God’s Word.
Bible In A Year
- 2 Kings 3-4
- Proverbs 12
- James 2-3
