Gnosticism & the Church’s Response: The Apostles’ Creed – Part 3

In the name of God the Father, Christ Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit, One True God. Amen

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus

In the previous blog, we tried to get some brief insights into the theological debates of the early Church which led to the emergence of the Niceno-Constantinople Creed, which is a pivotal statement of faith for the Orthodox Christians. This creed, born from a crucial period of doctrinal development, reflects the unity and guidance established by the early ecumenical councils.

These creeds not only provided a foundation for orthodox Christian belief but also continue to guide and unite believers, showcasing the Church’s enduring commitment to preserving the apostolic faith and upholding doctrinal coherence in the face of theological challenges.

Today, let us try to understand one of the earliest heretical teachings which was prevalent in the early Christian Church and how the Church responded to defend the teachings of the Church and also let us look at some of the Church Fathers and their writings on the defence against heretical teachings.

Gnosticism: The Challenge of Secret Knowledge

Gnosticism emerged as one of the earliest and most pervasive heresies. This belief system presented a significant threat to the nascent Christian community, promoting ideas that were fundamentally opposed to core Christian teachings. In response, the early Church developed structured statements of faith, such as the Apostles’ Creed, to safeguard the integrity of Christian doctrine. In this blog, we will explore the nature of Gnosticism, its impact on the early Church, and the Church’s response through the development of the Apostles’ Creed.

Gnosticism derived its name from the Greek word “gnosis,” meaning knowledge. This heretical movement claimed that salvation was attainable through secret, esoteric knowledge that only a select few could access. According to Gnostic teachings, the material world was created by a lesser, malevolent deity, often identified with the God of the Old Testament, and was therefore inherently evil (often identified as the demiurge). The true God, they posited, was a distant, unknowable entity, entirely separate from the physical universe.

Gnostics believed that within each person resided a divine spark trapped in the material body, and only through acquiring hidden knowledge could this spark be liberated to return to the divine realm. Jesus, in their view, was not truly human but a divine emissary sent to impart this secret knowledge, thus enabling a few enlightened souls to transcend the corrupt physical world.

Key Aspects of Gnostic Beliefs

1. Dualism: Gnosticism promoted a dualistic worldview, positing a sharp divide between the spiritual and material realms. The material world, in their view, was corrupt and created by a lesser deity, while the spiritual realm was pure and created by the true, unknowable God.
2. Unknowable God: Gnostic writings often describe God as incomprehensible and unknowable. This idea conflicts with Christianity’s concept of a personal God who desires a relationship with human beings. Gnostics also separate the inferior god of creation from the superior god of redemption.
   This idea conflicted with the Christian teaching of a God Who is personal and Who desires a relationship with the human beings (Refer Revelation 3:20; Matthew 11:28-29; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 5:8; 1 John 1:1-10)
3. Salvation through Secret Knowledge: Salvation, according to Gnosticism, was not achieved through faith in Christ or adherence to Christian teachings but through the acquisition of secret knowledge. This knowledge was believed to be accessible only to a select few, creating an elitist structure within the Gnostic communities.
   They believed that this secret knowledge frees the “divine spark” within humans, allowing the human soul to return to the divine realm of light in which it belongs. Gnostics, thus, divided Christians into two categories with one group being carnal (inferior) and the other being spiritual (superior). Only the superior, divinely enlightened persons could comprehend the secret teachings and obtain true salvation.
   This teaching was against the Christian teaching that salvation is available to everyone, not just a select few and that it comes from grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-12; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9; Romans 3:20-24)
4. Christ’s Nature: Gnostics often denied the true humanity of Jesus, claiming that He only appeared to have a human form, but that He was actually spirit only. Another view contended that his divine spirit came upon his human body at baptism and departed before the crucifixion. This docetic view undermined the Christian teaching of the incarnation, where Jesus is both fully God and fully man and that his human and divine natures were both present and necessary from the point of His incarnation at the Annunciation to Blessed Theotokos, Mother Mary.

The Church’s Response: Affirming Orthodox Christian Belief through the Apostles’ Creed

The Apostles’ Creed, one of the earliest formal statements of Christian belief, played a crucial role in countering Gnostic heresies. Its development can be traced back to the early baptismal formulas used by the apostles themselves, evolving over time to address emerging doctrinal challenges. By the second century, the Creed had taken a form similar to what we know today, serving as a concise summary of apostolic teaching and a standard for orthodoxy.

The Apostles’ Creed addresses the core tenets of Christian faith in a manner that directly opposes Gnostic beliefs:

• Affirmation of the Creator God: The Creed begins with the declaration, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” This statement directly counters the Gnostic notion of a malevolent creator by affirming the goodness and sovereignty of God over all creation, both material and spiritual.
• The Incarnation of Christ: The Creed’s assertion that Jesus Christ is “His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary” emphasizes the true humanity and divinity of Christ. This dual affirmation refutes the Gnostic denial of Christ’s genuine humanity and their belief in his mere appearance as a human.
• Christ’s Suffering and Death: By stating that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried,” the Creed underscores the reality of Christ’s physical suffering and death, countering the Gnostic view that such events were illusory.
• The Resurrection and Ascension: The Creed continues, “On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” This affirmation of the bodily resurrection and ascension of Christ highlights the inherent goodness of the physical body and the ultimate redemption of the material world, standing in stark contrast to Gnostic dualism.

The Church’s Response to Gnosticism

To effectively counter Gnosticism, the early Church took several decisive steps:

1. Formulating Creeds: The development of the Apostles’ Creed was instrumental in preserving the integrity of Christian doctrine. By providing a clear, succinct summary of apostolic teaching, the Creed served as a tool for catechesis, baptismal preparation, and public confession of faith. It ensured that converts and believers alike adhered to the true faith as handed down by the apostles.
2. Ecumenical Councils: The early Church convened councils to address and refute heretical teachings. These councils, such as the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, played a crucial role in defining orthodox Christian doctrine and condemning Gnostic and other heretical beliefs. The Nicene Creed, formulated at Nicaea, expanded on the Apostles’ Creed, providing further clarity on the nature of Christ and the Trinity.
3. Writings of the Church Fathers: The Church Fathers, including Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Athanasius, wrote extensively against Gnosticism. Irenaeus’ work “Against Heresies” is particularly notable for its detailed refutation of Gnostic teachings and its defense of apostolic tradition. These writings not only addressed the theological errors of Gnosticism but also reinforced the importance of adhering to the teachings passed down through the apostolic succession.
4. Emphasizing the Goodness of Creation: The Church Fathers consistently affirmed the goodness of creation, countering the Gnostic view that the material world was inherently evil. By emphasizing that God created the world and declared it good, the Church upheld the value of the physical realm and the significance of the incarnation.

Key Church Fathers in the Fight Against Gnosticism

Several Church Fathers played a pivotal role in defending the Christian faith against Gnostic teachings:

• Irenaeus of Lyons: Perhaps the most prominent early critic of Gnosticism, Irenaeus wrote “Against Heresies,” a comprehensive refutation of Gnostic doctrines. He emphasized the unity of God, the goodness of creation, and the true humanity and divinity of Christ. Irenaeus also highlighted the importance of apostolic succession in preserving the true faith.
  1. Affirmation One Creator God – Book 1, Chapter 22, Section 1
  2. The Incarnation of Christ – Book 3, Chapter 11, Section 3
  3. Unity and Apostolic Tradition – Book 3, Chapter 4, Section 1
  4. The Goodness of Creation – Book 2, Chapter 30, Section 9
  5. The Resurrection of the Body – Book 5, Chapter 31, Section 2
  6. Refutation of Gnostic Cosmology – Book 1, Chapter 7, Section 1
  7. Defence of Apostolic Succession – Book 3, Chapter 3, Section 2
• Tertullian: An early Christian apologist, Tertullian wrote extensively against Gnosticism, particularly in his work “Against Marcion,” which targeted the dualistic teachings of the Gnostic leader Marcion. Tertullian’s writings emphasized the continuity of Christian doctrine from the apostles and the importance of the physical reality of Christ’s incarnation and resurrection.
  1. Continuity of Christian Doctrine from the Apostles – Book 4, Chapter 5; Book 4, Chapter 2
  2. The Physical Reality of Christ’s Incarnation – Book 3, Chapter 8; Book 3, Chapter 11
  3. The Physical Reality of Christ’s Resurrection – Book 4, Chapter 43; Book 5, Chapter 9
• Athanasius of Alexandria: Known for his defense of the Nicene Creed and his opposition to Arianism, Athanasius also addressed Gnostic beliefs in his writings. His work “On the Incarnation” provides a robust theological defense of the true humanity and divinity of Christ, affirming the goodness of creation and the physical reality of the incarnation.
• Clement of Alexandria: While more sympathetic to the idea of knowledge, Clement differentiated between true Christian knowledge and the false gnosis of the Gnostics, through his writings “Stromata“. He emphasized that true knowledge (gnosis) was based on faith in Christ and aligned with apostolic teaching, in contrast to the secretive and elitist knowledge claimed by Gnostics.

Conclusion

The confrontation with Gnosticism and other early heresies was a defining moment for the Christian Church. The development of the Apostles’ Creed was a crucial response, providing a clear and authoritative summary of the faith handed down by the apostles. By affirming the goodness of creation, the true humanity and divinity of Christ, and the reality of His suffering, death, and resurrection, the Creed effectively countered Gnostic distortions and upheld orthodox Christian teaching.

As we reflect on the Church’s response to Gnosticism, we recognize the enduring importance of creedal statements in maintaining the integrity of the Christian faith. The Apostles’ Creed, born out of the early Church’s struggles, continues to guide and unite believers, reminding us of the unchanging truths at the heart of our faith. In a world still rife with diverse and often conflicting beliefs, the Creed stands as a beacon of orthodoxy, calling us to hold fast to the apostolic teaching and to proclaim the gospel with clarity and conviction.

May we, like the early Christians, remain steadfast in our commitment to the true faith, grounded in the knowledge of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, and guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Your brother in Christ Jesus

Jobin George

Sources:

1. Pagels, Elaine.The Gnostic Gospels. Random House, 1979. A detailed exploration of Gnostic beliefs and their contrast with orthodox Christianity.
2. Bock, Darrell L.The Missing Gospels: Unearthing the Truth Behind Alternative Christianities. Thomas Nelson, 2006. This book examines the Gnostic texts and their implications for early Christianity.
3. Wilkinson, Robert J.Tetragrammaton: Western Christians and the Hebrew Name of God. Brill, 2015. This text provides insight into the Gnostic view of the God of the Old Testament as a lesser deity.
4. Grant, Robert M.Gnosticism: An Anthology. Harper & Row, 1961. A compilation of primary Gnostic texts and their doctrines.
5. Kelly, J. N. D.Early Christian Creeds. Longmans, 1950. A comprehensive history of the development of early Christian creeds, including the Apostles’ Creed.
6. Pelikan, Jaroslav.The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Vol. 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600). University of Chicago Press, 1971. Details the formation and significance of the early creeds in Christian doctrine.
7. Davis, Leo Donald.The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology. Liturgical Press, 1990. This book covers the role of ecumenical councils in defining orthodox doctrine and combating heresies.
8. Rusch, William G. (Ed.).The Trinitarian Controversy. Fortress Press, 1980. Discusses the theological debates that led to the Nicene Creed, addressing heresies like Gnosticism and Arianism.
9. Irenaeus of Lyons.Against Heresies. Translated by Alexander Roberts and William Rambaut, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1. Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885. Irenaeus’ foundational work refuting Gnostic beliefs.
10. Tertullian.Against Marcion. Translated by Peter Holmes, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 3. Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885. Tertullian’s critical response to Marcionism, a major Gnostic sect.
11. Athanasius.On the Incarnation. Translated by Penelope Lawson. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1993. Athanasius’ defense of the Incarnation against both Arianism and Gnosticism.
12. Clement of Alexandria. Stromata (Miscellanies). Translated by William Wilson, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2. Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885. Clement’s differentiation between true Christian knowledge and Gnostic pseudo-knowledge.