Gnosticism!! What is it?

MattS AMTM December 2018 Part 18 (heresy and false teachings)

Before I continue with the “Emergent Church” theme I would like to bring a brief understanding of what Gnosticism is. I have come to realise that Gnostic ideas have been around since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. It would appear that Gnostic ideas and teachings underpin so many of the false and heretical teaching in the Church today. Many people are surprised to learn that the idea of Gnosticism sits behind the core beliefs of many churches and church movements, without recognising it as Gnosticism. As the “Apostate Church” appears to be growing daily, many of the real core beliefs of the leaders of the “Emergent Church”, and the “New Apostolic Reformation”, appear to be rooted in Gnostic ideas. I believe that they would deny this but, know them by their fruits (words and actions). Gnostic ideas have long been with the Catholic Church however.

A big “light-switch” went on in my head a while ago when I began to see the connection between a great increase in “Gnostic” ideas and the deterioration and apostasy of the Church. In my opinion it would be very hard to deny seeing this, whilst observing and hearing the teachings of many prominent Church pastors and leaders. If you read my articles on a regular basis, you will know that I often refer to 2 Thessalonians 2, this chapter in verse 3 refers to the “apostasy” or “falling away”. Some theologians have recently interpreted apostasy as meaning the rapture of the body of Christ, I cannot agree with this interpretation even though “apostasy” can mean departure.

Let’s have a look at what Paul writes in 2nd Thessalonians, and see how it may tie in with Gnostic beliefs.

In Chapter 2 of 2nd Thessalonians, Paul deals with how things will be prior to the return of Jesus. He deals with some specifics of that time, and although the rapture might be here, it is my thinking that it is not part of Pauls discussion. Paul deals with; warning about deception,the apostasy or falling away from the faith,the revealing of the Antichrist,the removal of the restrainer,the false signs and wonders that accompany the Antichrist,people choosing falsehood and lies over the truth,God giving these same people over to a delusion,asking Christians to stand firm in the traditions that they have been taught by the foundational apostles.