22 jun 03 bill brewer of thomas3.pdfgnostic (gospel of thomas, etc.) faithfulness brings blessings...

Gospel of Thomas

22 Jun 03

Bill Brewer

— Bill Brewer http://historeo.com

PurposeTo better interpret the NT by understanding its background

To see the inferiority of non-canonical documents that “compete” for inclusion in the NT canon

To see the similarities between ancient Gnosticism and present-day attitudes

22 Jun 03 — Bill Brewer http://historeo.com 2

Review of Gnosticism

2/14/2012 — Bill brewer http://historeo.com 3

Origins Ancient Near Eastern Mythology

Marduk slays the chaos monster Tiamat

Bible God brings order out of chaos by speaking it into existence

Evolutionism Universe is an endless cycle of Big Bangs and Big Crunches

Gnosticism Cosmos is the evil end in a series of cascading creations beginning from pure spirit

Good EvilDarknessLight

Time


Major Conflicts in Church History

Church History DatesConflicts with Judaism & Paganism 1st-2d CenturyGnosticism & NT Canon 1st-4th CenturyTrinitarian Controversy 4th CenturyChristological Controversy 5th CenturyPelagian Controversy 5th-7th CenturyThe Reformation 16th-17th CenturyDispensationalism & Adventism 19th-20th Century

Conflicts with Judaism & Paganism 1st-2d CenturyGnosticism & NT Canon 1st-4th Century


GnosticismFrom the Greek word “gnosis,” meaning knowledge

1 Tim 6:20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith


Historical Developments

Deuteronomistic(Deut-2d Kings)

Apocalyptic(Dan, Eze, Zech, Rev)

Gnostic(Gospel of

Thomas, etc.)

Faithfulness brings blessings

and unfaithfulness brings curses

Demonic rule over the

physical world is headed for a decisive end

through God’s intervention

Salvation comes by escaping the evil world into a

world of pure spirit

OT Period Inter-testamental Period

EarlyFirst Century

Return

Captivity


Gnosticism

Good Evil

Demiurge

Demiurge

Demiurge

Demiurge

Spirit MatterDUALISM

Men ofthe spirit

(pneumatics)

Men ofthe Soul

(psychics)

Men ofthe flesh

(somatics)

Salvationnot possible

Saved byfaith

Saved by“knowledge”

Final Demiurge

—0T Yahweh

Jesus the lamb

of God

Jesus the wisdomteacher


Mankind is trapped in a computer-generated dream world (the Matrix) where every sensation is made to feel real, but isn’t. Behind the dream state lays a super computer feeding impressions to and sucking energy from human hosts housed in cocoon-like pods. Those who accidentally awake from the dream world are eradicated by computer-generated agents dedicated to keeping humanity in a dreamlike spell. The whole regime is threatened by the arrival of a “Chosen One,” destined to rouse mankind from its world of dreams.


Intro to Gnosticism

Now understood as existing within Greek, Roman, and Jewish society apart from ChristianityTraditional origin in Simon the Magician (Acts 8:9-24)


Intro to GnosticismMain ideas is salvation through special knowledge that allows its possessor to traverse multiple spheres of existence separating increasing evil worlds from the realm of pure spirit. The trip is dangerous and demon-infested


Intro to GnosticismGodhead of the NT is the center of a council of divinities

Sophia (wisdom), wanting to view herself, accidentally created the world of matter

The material world is therefore the expression of sin

Divine sparks occasionally drift down and are captured in matter to become living souls, including human beings

An evil being emerged, a wicked demiurge, called YHWH, who imprisons the sparks and lords it over them


Intro to Gnosticism

But Sophia sends down messengers to show them the way back—the prophets

In response, YHWH terrifies mankind, binds them with irrational laws, and maligns the prophets

The first prophet of knowledge appeared in the Garden of Eden—known now to us through YHWH’s lies as the serpent

Jesus was another prophet, telling us to abandon the evil laws of YHWH


Influence of Gnosticism

Contradicted orthodox understanding of the world as a fundamentally good place—not something to be escaped at all costsNumerous competing GospelsStimulated…

Formation of the canonInfant baptismChurch as source of truthChurch hierarchy


Heresies of GnosticismThe “sensible” world was created and is ruled by lesser, evil gods (e.g., OT Yahweh)

The true god cannot come into contact with matter which is evil

Human beings are eternal spirits who have somehow been trapped in evil bodies

Christ was not "God-man," but an intermediary, who came, not to save man from sin by faith, but to give "knowledge”

Salvation comes by escaping the material world (unclothing) and returning to the world of spirit


Heresies of GnosticismSalvation (escape) is possible, not through publicly available apostolic teaching, but through secret knowledge of esoteric truths and formulas

The individual self takes precedence over the believing community

Mankind is divided into three classes: flesh, soul, and spirit

Mundane concerns are dismissed and depreciated in favor of pure and unfettered spirit


SalvationOrthodox Christians sought salvation by faithChurch fathers claimed knowledge of God through participation in His mighty acts and by response to the claims His acts made upon mankindChurch fathers saw man’s problem as sin

Ordinary Christians “believed”

Gnostics sought salvation through knowledgeGnostics claimed to “know” God directly

Gnostics saw it as ignorance

Gnostics “knew”


RevelationOrthodox Christians saw God’s revelation as being open and available to everyoneChurch fathers saw God’s promises, acts, truth, etc. as a matter of public record

Gnostics saw God’s true revelation as being secret and available only to certain peopleThe Gnostics saw God’s revelation as being open only to a spiritual elite who were creative enough to see past the plain text of scripture


MYSTICISM

MYSTICISM

OccultismCabalismTranscendentalismTheosophyZen BuddhismYogaInner LightChristian ScienceSacramentalismAstrologyTaoismSufismMartial ArtsRosicruciansScientologyShamanismNew AgeGaia

Pagan mysticismJewish mysticismPhilosophic mysticismBuddhism for the WesternerBuddhism in the "fast lane"Hindu mysticism a la exerciseQuaker mysticismMary's mysticismCatholic mysticismHeavenly mysticismChinese mysticismIslamic mysticismSports mysticismEgyptian mysticism for WesternersHubbard's mysticismMedicine-man mysticismMacLaine's mysticismEnvironmental mysticism


Physical WorldOrthodox Christians saw “God as one” and salvation as an earthly pilgrimage through the good world God had made

Church fathers struggled against “spiritual wickedness in high places” Church fathers emphasized the Lord’s Supper, baptism, benevolence to the poor

The Gnostics looked to the god of spirit for saving knowledge needed to escape the material world and its lesser god. Gnostics dismissed and depreciated nature in favor of pure and unfettered spiritThe Gnostics struggled against “flesh and blood”

The Gnostics neglected them all


ChurchOrthodox Christiansemphasized the importance of the believing communityChurch fathers sought God through the demands of real community life.

Gnostics emphasized the individual self

Gnostics looked inward to discover God


Major Conflicts in Church History

Church History DatesConflicts with Judaism & Paganism 1st-2d CenturyGnosticism & NT Canon 1st-4th CenturyTrinitarian Controversy 4th CenturyChristological Controversy 5th CenturyPelagian Controversy 5th-7th CenturyThe Reformation 16th-17th CenturyDispensationalism & Adventism 19th-20th Century

Conflicts with Judaism & Paganism 1st-2d CenturyGnosticism & NT Canon 1st-4th Century


Possible Gnostic Allusions2 Cor 5:3-4 “...when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 ...we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling”

Col 1:9 "...that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding"

Col 1:12-13 "...made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:... delivered us from the power of darkness"


Possible Gnostic AllusionsCol 1:15-17 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist“

Col 1:19 "For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell"


Possible Gnostic AllusionsCol 1:26-27 "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory"

Col 2:2-4 "... unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God....In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words"


Possible Gnostic AllusionsCol 2:8-10 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power“

Col 2:21-23 "Touch not; taste not; handle not; which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh


Possible Gnostic Allusions1John 4:3 "And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world"

1Thess 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord...."

1Cor 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe"


Attractions of GnosticismWas a "half-way house" between Greek/Roman philosophy and Christianity

GnosticismGreek/Roman Philosophy

Christianity



Addressed alleged “defects" in Christian theology via an expanded…– Cosmogony (how the universe began)– Cosmology (how the universe operates) and– Eschatology (how the world will end)


Attractions of GnosticismAppealed to Greek pride by discounting the role of Jews as "God's chosen people"

Thrived on the psychology of exclusion; e.g., Gal 4:17

Offered salvation while permitting sin

Avoided the burdens of Christianity


Attractions of Gnosticism (cont.)

In the ancient world, ordinary Christians wouldn’t go along to get along

Gnosticism provided a powerful rationale for accommodating anything


Influence of Gnosticism

Contradicted orthodox understanding of the world as a fundamentally good place—not something to be escaped at all costsNumerous competing GospelsStimulated…

Formation of the canonInfant baptismChurch as source of truthChurch hierarchy


590-1517

The Middle Ages

1648-1789

Reason and Revival

1914- ?Ideologies

Outline of Church History

3030--7070

JewishChristianity

3030--7070

JewishChristianity

7070--312312

Christian Christian ChurchChurch

7070--312312

Christian Christian ChurchChurch

312312--590590

Christian Christian EmpireEmpire

312312--590590

Christian Christian EmpireEmpire

17891789--19141914“Progress”“Progress”

17891789--19141914“Progress”“Progress”

1517-1648Reformation

RenaissanceEnlightenment

Opposition to “Modernism”

Dark Ages

Gnosticism Catholicism Neo-Gnosticism


Modern-Day GnosticismWhen the Gnostic escapes the world, it becomes very possible for him to be a Christian on the side, even in his spare time. But the Christian whose life has been transformed from aimless wandering to determined pilgrimage will find no respite. The Christian and the cosmos are inextricably bound together until death do them part—Philip Lee


“Christianity on the side”Modern-Day Gnosticism

Church Salvific community Fraternity

Christian Life Calling Voluntary

Maturity Sanctification Personal growth

Sin Against God Against self

Jesus Lord Personal Savior

Suffering Corporate Personal

Membership Real churches Universal church

Biblical Gnostic-Like



Interpretation Author’s meaning Personal reaction

Truth Objective Private experience

Edification Church IndividualSalvation Public, corporate Private, personal

Gospel Of the Kingdom Holy Spirit (for “me”)


Gender Affirmation Denial



Interpretation Author’s meaning Personal reaction

Truth Objective Private experienceIndividualEdification Church

Salvation Public, corporate Private, personalGospel Of the Kingdom Holy Spirit (for “me”)


Gender Affirmation Denial

Church Salvific community Fraternity Christian Life Calling VoluntaryMaturity Sanctification Personal growthSin Against God Against selfJesus Lord Personal SaviorSuffering Corporate Personal

Membership Real churches Universal church


Interpretation

TruthEdificationSalvationGospelGender

ChurchChristian LifeMaturitySinJesusSuffering

MembershipAuthor’s meaning

ObjectiveChurchPublic, corporateOf the Kingdom

Biblical

Affirmation

Salvific community CallingSanctificationAgainst GodLordCorporate

Real churchesAuthor’s meaning


Biblical

Affirmation


Real churches

“Christianity on the side”

Personal reaction

Private experienceIndividualPrivate, personalHoly Spirit (for “me”)

Gnostic-Like

Denial

Fraternity VoluntaryPersonal growthAgainst selfPersonal SaviorPersonal

Universal church

Modern-Day Gnosticism“Christianity on the side”

Personal reaction


Gnostic-Like

Denial


Universal churchPersonal reaction

SubjectiveIndividualIndividualIndividual

Secular

Denial

Social organizationPreferenceAutonomyAgainst selfFamous personPersonal

Real churchesInterpretation

TruthEdificationSalvationGospelGender

ChurchChristian LifeMaturitySinJesusSuffering

Membership



Gnosticism Greek/Roman PhilosophyChristianity



Attractions of Neo-GnosticismIs a "half-way house" between secularism and Christianity

Neo-Gnosticism SecularismChristianity“Christianity on the side”


Modern-Day Gnosticism

Author’s meaning


Biblical

Affirmation


Real churches


Personal reaction


Gnostic-Like

Denial


Universal churchPersonal reaction

SubjectiveIndividualIndividualIndividual

Secular

Denial

Social organizationPreferenceAutonomyAgainst selfFamous personPersonal

Real churches

Maturity Immaturity


Gnostic Faith

Apostolic Faith

“Wherever the solitary is, there I

am….”

“Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am also” (Mt

18:20)


Gnostic Faith

Apostolic Faith

“Blessed are those who are

persecuted within themselves....”

“Blessed are those who are

persecuted for righteousness

sake....”(Mt 5:10)


Gnostic Faith

Apostolic Faith

“one of them [the largest] went

astray....”

“one of them [the least] went astray….” (Mt

18:12-14)


Spiritual Disciplines

“You realize, of course, this means a big

change in lifestyles.”


Literary vs. Historical Setting

TIMELINEGnostic Threat

Historical Setting

Literary Setting

Gospel of John


Competing Claims to Truth

Gnostic Faith

Apostolic Faith

Chapters 14-1722 Jun 03 — Bill Brewer http://historeo.com 47

22 jun 03 bill brewer of thomas3.pdfgnostic (gospel of thomas, etc.) faithfulness brings blessings...

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