Marvin Pate On Gnosticism
Therefore, God’s Adam was body and soul. C. Marvin Pate explains that, “Gnosticism refers to one is ultimately spiritual, not physical, in origin. The goal therefore, is for one to rid the soul of the prison house of the body and return to Spirit-being.” Unfortunately, much of the same thoughts have infiltrated the Christian world and can be heard in the language of believers who believe in the “death is healing” dogma. To grasp the seriousness of Christians slipping into this error, one must approach the sub-ject from the biblical lens as portrayed through the words of John and Paul in their epistles. The entrance of Gnostic theology in the church became the theological battleground for the apostles. This was because those coming from
a Greek mentality wanted a gospel more appealing and legi-ble for the Grecian culture. John’s rebuttal towards those creating havoc in the church can be seen especially in John’s first epistle. John urges the believers to “not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God” and “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God” (1 Jn. 4:1-3). John’s reciprocal statements purposely oppose the “malevolent flesh” Gnostic doctrine as well as the Docetic argument that Jesus only “seemed” to have a flesh body. Paul’s opposing position against Gnosticism can be seen in his dealings with the Corinthi-an church. In reference to the body of the believer, Paul counteracts the Gnostic view of the body being evil, by describing it as the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19). He goes on to tell them to “glorify God in your body and your spirit, which are God’s” (1Cor. 6:20).
a Greek mentality wanted a gospel more appealing and legi-ble for the Grecian culture. John’s rebuttal towards those creating havoc in the church can be seen especially in John’s first epistle. John urges the believers to “not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God” and “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God” (1 Jn. 4:1-3). John’s reciprocal statements purposely oppose the “malevolent flesh” Gnostic doctrine as well as the Docetic argument that Jesus only “seemed” to have a flesh body. Paul’s opposing position against Gnosticism can be seen in his dealings with the Corinthi-an church. In reference to the body of the believer, Paul counteracts the Gnostic view of the body being evil, by describing it as the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19). He goes on to tell them to “glorify God in your body and your spirit, which are God’s” (1Cor. 6:20).