Christian History Course

This is a collection of essays and course information from the Christian History Course offered by the Universal Life Church Seminary. We have essays and lesson information.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

History of Christianity - Lesson 8


Universal Life Church
History of Christianity - Lesson 8

Don Noenoehitoe

1. What were the roots of these heresies at this time?

Heresies were rooted in:

Jewish legalism; believed the Jewish law was the highest expression of God's will

Greek philosophy:
Gnosticism; originated with Simon Magus, to use human wisdom to to discern God's ways.
Manicheanism; founded by Manichaeus, deeply rooted to Zoroastrianism, orientalist and dualist doctrines.
Neoplatonism; emphasized on spiritual  essence of humanity and metaphysical mysticism as part of the eternal divine.
 

2. Why was Gnosticism in particular such a great danger to Christian doctrine?

Gnosticism is a danger to the Early Christian church because it rejected the sacramental ordinances of baptism and Eucharist.
It rejected the God of the Old Testament and accepted a God of Love revealed in Jesus; Gnostic dualism,  it fueled anti-Semitic schism within the Christian church, it rejected the reality of the humanity, sacrificial death, and bodily resurrection of Christ.


3. How did the existence of these heresies help the Christian church in the long run?

Existence of the heresies fueled the need for early writings of the Apostles and Church Fathers to defend the authority of the Scriptures, which in turn helped stabilize church doctrines and administrations; raised the prominence of the Roman Bishop.
The church developed creeds as tests for orthodoxy, which ultimately lead to the canonical texts and sacred writings  to condemn these heresies.


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