Christian Gnosticism – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible doesn't directly address Christian Gnosticism, as this heresy emerged after the New Testament was written. However, Scripture clearly contradicts key Gnostic beliefs. Gnostics believe that salvation comes through secret knowledge (gnosis) about the divine realm, often viewing the material world as flawed or evil, created by a lesser deity. They emphasize a dualistic worldview, where spiritual reality is considered superior to the physical, which is often seen as corrupt or illusory. The Bible affirms that God created the physical world and declared it good (Genesis 1:31), countering Gnostic dualism. It emphasizes Jesus's full humanity and divinity (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9), rejecting the Gnostic view of Christ as only divine. Scripture also presents God's truth as accessible to all (2 Timothy 3:16–17), not as secret knowledge for an elite few. The apostles, particularly John and Paul, warned against early forms of Gnostic-like teaching, emphasizing the reality of Christ's incarnation and the danger of false doctrines.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Genesis 1:31: "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." This contradicts Gnostic dualism, affirming that the physical world, created by God, is good.
• Proverbs 8:1–11: This passage personifies wisdom as calling out openly, contrasting with Gnostic ideas of secret knowledge. It suggests that true wisdom from God is accessible to all who seek it.
• Isaiah 45:18: "For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): 'I am the LORD, and there is no other.'" This emphasizes God as the sole creator, contradicting Gnostic beliefs in multiple divine beings or a lesser god creating the material world.
• Psalm 139:13–16: This passage celebrates God's intricate involvement in forming human bodies, challenging Gnostic views of the physical body as evil or unimportant.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This is an explicit statement of Christ's incarnation, countering Gnostic denial of Jesus's humanity.
• Colossians 2:8–9: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." Paul warns against false philosophies and affirms Christ's full deity and humanity.
• First John 4:2–3: "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." John directly confronts early Gnostic-like teachings that denied Christ's physical incarnation.
• First Timothy 6:20–21: "O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith." Paul warns against false knowledge claims, possibly referencing early Gnostic-like teachings.
• Second Peter 1:16: "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." Peter emphasizes the historical reality of Christ's life and ministry, countering Gnostic tendencies to mythologize Jesus.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Understanding Christian Gnosticism and its contradictions with biblical Christianity helps us recognize and refute similar heretical ideas that continue to emerge in various forms today. The Gnostic emphasis on secret knowledge can be seen in some New Age philosophies and esoteric spiritual movements. By contrast, the biblical view encourages believers to seek wisdom openly through Scripture and to share the gospel freely with all.

The Gnostic devaluation of the physical world can lead to either extreme asceticism or licentiousness. The biblical view of creation as good provides a balanced perspective, valuing both the spiritual and physical aspects of life. This impacts how we view our bodies, the environment, and our role as stewards of creation. Gnosticism's denial of Christ's full humanity also undermines the core of the gospel—that God became man to save us. Recognizing this helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the reality of Christ's sacrifice. It also reinforces the importance of the incarnation in our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God.

Whereas the Gnostic believes there is an element of the divine in each person, the Christian believes that the Divine (God) took on human flesh in order to save the world. It is not the spark of divinity in us which is reaching out for God, but God who reaches out to us (1 John 4:10). Whereas the Gnostic believes that people are saved through "secret knowledge," the Christian believes that people are saved by grace through faith in the God-man, Jesus Christ, who reveals Himself and invites everyone to respond to who He is and what He has done (Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 11:27).

UNDERSTAND

• Gnostics believe in esoteric salvation knowledge, while the Bible teaches that God’s truth is accessible to everyone.
• Gnostics see the material world as flawed, but the Bible affirms God created everything as good.
• Gnostics deny Jesus’s full humanity, whereas the New Testament asserts His true humanity and divinity.

REFLECT

• How does knowing the difference between Gnostic and Christian views affect your understanding of salvation?
• How does the biblical view of God’s creation and purpose in creation challenge your perception of the physical world and living in it?
• What does the affirmation of Christ’s humanity mean for your faith?

ENGAGE

• How does the Gnostic belief in secret knowledge undermine the universality of the Christian gospel and its call to all people?
• What are the consequences of Gnostic dualism on the Christian understanding of the value and purpose of the material world and human body?
• How does denying Christ's full humanity in Gnostic teachings affect the core doctrines of salvation and the nature of redemption in Christianity?
• INCLUDE ARTICLE LINK: https://www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-gnosticism.html