By: admin

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 17:42:47 +0000

This is my reply to “Pilgrim of Truth”:
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Your Question is: “……….how do we know that Paul along with the other New Testament writers did not lie in their writings and that the Gnostic are in fact (or some of them) the ones telling the truth.” ?
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First, I would point out that Paul was chosen and commissioned by Jesus in Acts (Acts 9:15). The complete story of Paul’s conversion is contained in Acts 9: 1-22. I would also note that Paul’s writings have been dated much earlier than any of the Gnostic writings. Indeed, the majority of Paul’s Canonical writings have been dated 50-60 AD, that’s just 13-23 years after the death of Christ. I could find only one Gnostic text that could have been remotely dated that early. This is the Gospel of Thomas, which was probably written in the 2nd century 100-150 AD. Some scholars believe that it may have been written as early as 50 AD.
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As far as truth? Essentially, you must decide this yourself. We choose to believe what we believe. I always start with Jesus, then move to the Apostles because Jesus commissioned the Apostles directly and chose them to tell the world the Good News. Most off all, as I have accepted Christ and turned to Him in trust and in a relationship, I have seen a change in my life. I have experienced many of the very same experiences mentioned in the New Testament. My life has changed.
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Additionally, I would note that I believe that God revealed Himself through the Holy Scriptures. This story starts with Ancient Israel. I am a monotheist, believing in one God, the God of our fathers. Marcion and the Gnostic’s reconfigured God’s Words to us and essentially semi-paganized Christianity. The early church fathers recognized this and wrote extensively against it. Indeed, the Apostles John as well as Paul saw and preached against the very same Heresy. The truth, I believe is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. As you read the Bible as one book, inspired by a God who is passionately in love with His people, you see the story of God revealing Himself to us. The Old testament is the preparation of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. Gnosticism is essentially a platonic dualism. The ancient Greco-Roman world was essentially pagan. God has warned us deeply about both from the beginning of time.
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So, are the Gnostics telling the truth? Is there a god that created this world that is essentially an inferior god and was Jesus the superior god? Is all matter evil? As I look into the eyes of a child…I say no….as I read your blogs….I say no…..you are not evil. Is secret knowledge the path to salvation that is only for a few? I believe no. God’s grace is extended to all that accept it through Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, come to save mankind as well as show mankind through His actions how to love, how to live a fulfilling life and how to be all that God wants us to be. After all…God created us…He should be the writer of the instructions (at least in my mind…He knows us best).
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You mentioned: “If mainstream Christianity were to change today and pervert the teachings and history of the Bible, and only you were left to tell the truth then you would be considered neo-gnostic.” “If’s” are great for contemplating. However, I do not believe that Christianity today perverts the teachings of the Bible. If anything, the Bible has become more accessible to all people and therefore is less likely to be misunderstood. I will admit that one cannot understand the teaching of Christ or God’s Words to us without reading them. I believe that God’s Word stands on it’s own. It can be attacked, it can be slandered, it can be used out of context….but essentially…..it stands on its own and has continued to stand like a rock over many thousands of years. The key is to read and study it for yourself if you do not believe what you are told about it. I would certainly agree that there are and there probably always will be people and groups of people who will only accept God’s Words from the perspective they build. People like Fred Phelps (GodHatesFags.com).
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You also mentioned: “I have great respect for the Apostle Paul as a writer but I have heard accounts that he would preach about the second coming of Christ which was to occur in the next week to gain converts only to turn around and say “No its the week after next” when it did not come to pass.” Interesting story, I would ask where you heard this for it to be true. I have not read this in his writings nor have I seen it in the historical record. Please share with me the source for this information.
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Lastly, you ask: “….. why did Gnostics split Christianity into two groups?” I cannot give a definitive answer to this as I did not live at that time. However, I believe that many people just choose to believe something else. Many people just choose not to believe what God has revealed to us in the Bible. That is a choice that only a truly loving God would allow. I would note that your question assumes that Gnostics were Christian. While they believed in Christ, they chose to ignore the teachings of his closest disciples and students, and indeed his very own teachings and make Him something He wasn’t. I do not consider Gnostics Christian. They only get this label because they include Jesus in their writings. I would note that I could write adoringly about Adolf Hitler and say that he was actually a benevolent man that saved Germany through his secret teachings. The world would call me a Nazi, even though I misrepresented what and who Adolf Hitler was. That may not be the best analogy, however, I believe you can get the point of what I mean
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Thank you for your questions. It is essential to know that we each have been given the will to believe what we want. I believe the historical record in itself as everything else in creation attest to the presence of one God, revealed through His inspired words, indeed, stories, contained in the Holy Scriptures. God bless you and again, thank you for your questions.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 17:41:18 +0000

My friend “Pilgrim of Truth” (Wes Bishop) replied to this question:
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My question then to this is how do we know that Paul along with the other New Testament writers did not lie in their writings and that the gnostic are in fact (or some of them) the ones telling the truth. If mainstream Christianity were to change today and pervert the teachings and history of the Bible, and only you were left to tell the truth then you would be considered neo-gnostic. I have great respect for the Apostle Paul as a writer but I have heard accounts that he would preach about the second coming of Christ which was to occur in the next week to gain converts only to turn around and say “No its the week after next” when it did not come to pass.
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Also why did Gnostics split Christianity into two groups? Peace.

Comments on: Difficulties: What about all those lost Gospels?

By: admin

By: admin