Comments on: American Heresy: Gnosticism http://121blog.org/2008/12/17/american-heresy-gnosticism/ Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:41:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: God in the Ordinary « 1.21 blog http://121blog.org/2008/12/17/american-heresy-gnosticism/#comment-880 God in the Ordinary « 1.21 blog Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:34:47 +0000 http://121blog.org/?p=196#comment-880 [...] on “material” and “mundane” things (which tends towards the heresies of Gnosticism and Docetism). And because this is the case, there’s a tendency to expect to find God in odd, [...] [...] on “material” and “mundane” things (which tends towards the heresies of Gnosticism and Docetism). And because this is the case, there’s a tendency to expect to find God in odd, [...]

]]> By: rcassell http://121blog.org/2008/12/17/american-heresy-gnosticism/#comment-179 rcassell Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:33:39 +0000 http://121blog.org/?p=196#comment-179 Good stuff Gene, I just started reading through some of the blogs today. I think Gnosticism and other derivations of Platonic dualism have really crippled the Western church with its fallacious spiritual/material split. Within evangelicalism, it has manifested itself in an escapist view that says, "this world sucks, but I thank God I'm not built for this world and Jesus has saved me to take me away," rather than recognizing that creation was good and in need of redemption, not disposal. Then on the other side, you have people who ignore/dismiss the spiritual and focus just on easing societal ills, rather then the redemption of individuals. We need to realize that it's all spiritual, because it's all from, for, and sustained by Christ. I especially dug this Paragraph: "Gnosticism is still alive and well in the church. We see it when we focus on souls and neglect bodies. We see it when we retreat from culture. We see it when we think either eating or avoiding certain foods and drinks will make us holier. We see it when we are searching for some technique that will give us a deeper experience of God." Good stuff Gene, I just started reading through some of the blogs today.

I think Gnosticism and other derivations of Platonic dualism have really crippled the Western church with its fallacious spiritual/material split. Within evangelicalism, it has manifested itself in an escapist view that says, “this world sucks, but I thank God I’m not built for this world and Jesus has saved me to take me away,” rather than recognizing that creation was good and in need of redemption, not disposal. Then on the other side, you have people who ignore/dismiss the spiritual and focus just on easing societal ills, rather then the redemption of individuals. We need to realize that it’s all spiritual, because it’s all from, for, and sustained by Christ.

I especially dug this Paragraph:

“Gnosticism is still alive and well in the church. We see it when we focus on souls and neglect bodies. We see it when we retreat from culture. We see it when we think either eating or avoiding certain foods and drinks will make us holier. We see it when we are searching for some technique that will give us a deeper experience of God.”

]]> By: evanblackerby http://121blog.org/2008/12/17/american-heresy-gnosticism/#comment-178 evanblackerby Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:45:05 +0000 http://121blog.org/?p=196#comment-178 You've done it again! Challenged me. I love it. It's a lot simpler than we make it, is it not? Christ simply wanted us to focus upon Him.... not deny ourselves contact with a world that we that we are commanded to love and reach. I dig the line..." If you are a Christian and you’re unsatisfied, then use the means he has for you" We must do better at recognizing Christ is always prepared for where we are. This struck me in a real way. Appreciatively, ESB You’ve done it again! Challenged me. I love it.

It’s a lot simpler than we make it, is it not? Christ simply wanted us to focus upon Him…. not deny ourselves contact with a world that we that we are commanded to love and reach.

I dig the line…” If you are a Christian and you’re unsatisfied, then use the means he has for you” We must do better at recognizing Christ is always prepared for where we are. This struck me in a real way.

Appreciatively, ESB

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