Gnosticism: The Impact Of Two Heresies On The Catholic Church
THE IMPACT OF TWO MAJOR HERESIES ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
INTRODUCTION
This essay will consider two early heresies and their impact on the Church:
Gnosticism
Arianism
Discussion will include:
Background Information
The Person and Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ
The etiology, content and current status of each heresy
The Church’s response to each
The outcome and consequences of these heresies
The essay will conclude:
Heresies present enormous challenges for the church:
“if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24)
These words proved prophetic when heresy came close to shattering the fragile unity of the early Church
Remnants of both heresies persist today.
The Church’s response to heresies created the foundations of the Catholic Church
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
During its early years, the Catholic Church confronted two major …show more content…
Gnostics described themselves as “those who know”, but they do not agree on doctrine, dogma, etc.
Gnostics used Christian symbols and terms, but Gnostic context was so alien that it gutted the essential teachings of the Faith.
Gnosticism frees the human mind from obedience to God while rejecting salvation by faith in an incarnational world. (Cf. ECD)
If man achieves salvation by acquiring Gnosis, all that survives is his “divine spark” which returns to God after death. (Cf. PC)
The supreme danger of Gnosticism is that it frees man to seek his own salvation independent of deity. Thus, the only source of salvation is man himself. (Cf. HCT)
Gnosticism Today Gnosticism never entirely disappeared. In the 11th Century, Catharism became a major Catholic sect. An important Cathar doctrine was that Christians cannot engage in warfare. This doctrine is rooted in Gnosticism, not the scriptures. (Cf. GC)
The Church responded to the Cathars aggressively with the Inquisition and the Albigensian Crusade. In 1223 - 1224, the last of the Cathars
INTRODUCTION
This essay will consider two early heresies and their impact on the Church:
Gnosticism
Arianism
Discussion will include:
Background Information
The Person and Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ
The etiology, content and current status of each heresy
The Church’s response to each
The outcome and consequences of these heresies
The essay will conclude:
Heresies present enormous challenges for the church:
“if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24)
These words proved prophetic when heresy came close to shattering the fragile unity of the early Church
Remnants of both heresies persist today.
The Church’s response to heresies created the foundations of the Catholic Church
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
During its early years, the Catholic Church confronted two major …show more content…
Gnostics described themselves as “those who know”, but they do not agree on doctrine, dogma, etc.
Gnostics used Christian symbols and terms, but Gnostic context was so alien that it gutted the essential teachings of the Faith.
Gnosticism frees the human mind from obedience to God while rejecting salvation by faith in an incarnational world. (Cf. ECD)
If man achieves salvation by acquiring Gnosis, all that survives is his “divine spark” which returns to God after death. (Cf. PC)
The supreme danger of Gnosticism is that it frees man to seek his own salvation independent of deity. Thus, the only source of salvation is man himself. (Cf. HCT)
Gnosticism Today Gnosticism never entirely disappeared. In the 11th Century, Catharism became a major Catholic sect. An important Cathar doctrine was that Christians cannot engage in warfare. This doctrine is rooted in Gnosticism, not the scriptures. (Cf. GC)
The Church responded to the Cathars aggressively with the Inquisition and the Albigensian Crusade. In 1223 - 1224, the last of the Cathars