(Truth in the Last Days — Post 10)
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men… and not after Christ.”
— Colossians 2:8 (KJV)
An Old Heresy in New Language
One of the most subtle dangers facing the Church today is not outright unbelief, but the repackaging of ancient heresy in Christian language. What once went by the name Gnosticism now appears as “deeper knowledge,” “philosophical Christianity,” or “re-reading Paul through Plato.”
It is not new. It is not insightful. And it is not Christian.
What Is Gnosticism—Really?
Gnosticism was an early heretical movement that claimed:
- Salvation comes through special knowledge rather than faith
- The material world is inferior or suspect
- Scripture must be reinterpreted through philosophy
- Apostolic authority is questioned or reframed
- Christ is reduced from Redeemer to cosmic revealer
The apostles didn’t tolerate it. They condemned it outright.
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.”
— 1 Timothy 6:20 (KJV)
The Modern Gnostic Move
Modern “Christian Gnosticism” often looks polite and academic. It doesn’t deny Christ outright. Instead, it:
- Claims Paul borrowed from Plato
- Frames the gospel as a philosophical bridge
- Treats Scripture as evolving theology
- Pits “orthodoxy” against “heresy” as equal streams
- Redefines faith as enlightenment
This is not humility. It is intellectual pride dressed as spirituality.
Paul Did Not Create Christianity
Paul did not invent a new religion and Paul did not blend Plato with Moses or birth orthodoxy and heresy.
Paul received the gospel by revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11–12), was affirmed by the other apostles (Acts 15), and his writings were already recognized as Scripture in the first century (2 Peter 3:15–16).
To claim Paul is the “father of heresy” is to undermine the authority of the New Testament itself. That is not reform, that is revolt.
Knowledge vs Revelation
Gnosticism exalts knowledge. Christianity proclaims revelation.
“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God…” — 1 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV)
God did not save the world through philosophy.
He saved it through the cross.
Why This Matters Now
When philosophy becomes the lens, doctrine erodes:
- Sin becomes ignorance
- Judgment becomes metaphor
- Hell becomes implausible
- The cross becomes unnecessary
- Salvation becomes self-discovery
This is why modern Gnosticism so often pairs with:
- Annihilationism
- Universalism
- Rejection of final judgment
- Suspicion of apostolic authority
Once Scripture is subordinated to “better theories,” everything is negotiable.
The Apostolic Warning Still Stands
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.”
— 1 John 4:1 (KJV)
The gospel is not hidden. It is proclaimed. It is not reserved for the enlightened. It is preached to sinners.
And it does not need Plato to make it credible.
Diagnostic Chart
Apostolic Christianity vs. Gnostic Christianity
| Apostolic Christianity | Gnostic Christianity |
| Revelation from God | Knowledge as enlightenment |
| Scripture is final authority | Scripture filtered through philosophy |
| Christ is Redeemer | Christ is revealer |
| Creation is good, fallen | Creation is suspect or inferior |
| Salvation by grace through faith | Salvation by insight or awakening |
| Resurrection of the body | Escape from the body |
| Apostles speak with authority | Apostles reinterpreted or critiqued |
| Sin is rebellion | Sin is ignorance |
| Judgment is real and final | Judgment softened or denied |
| Cross is central | Cross is symbolic |
Final Word
Gnosticism has always promised more. But it always delivers less Christ. The faith once delivered to the saints does not need updating.
It needs defending.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
— Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)