Satan’s Recycled Heresies - PowerPoint Presentation

Satan’s Recycled Heresies By Steve Lagoon

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”(Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Older Is not always better It is easy to assume that the older, and hence closer to apostolic times, that a teaching is, the more truthful it is likely to be. Such, however, is simply not the case. There were already heretics and heresies in apostolic times, and in every generation since. Christians must always endeavor to remain faithful to the teaching of Jesus and His apostles, most especially as they are presented in the New Testament.

Swing between dogmatic and experiential Scholars have noted the swing in controversies and movements within church history that are like a pendulum swinging back and forth between the two extremes of dogmatic teachings on one hand, and experiential faith on the other. It is the struggle for every age of Christians, to strive for a balance between the two, fighting tenaciously for orthodox teachings and practices, while maintaining a deep abiding love for God and our neighbors.

Apologists of the Early Church Justin Martyr (100-165 ) Born in Palestine (Shechem) Held no church office, traveling evangelist/teacher First Apology, Second Apology, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, Against All Heresies, Against Marcion Combated Marcion the heretic in person at Rome and evangelized Trypho the Jew in Ephesus(Schaff, 715). Studied philosophy, retained philosopher’s robe, considered Christianity the “one sure worthy philosophy” (Carey, 558).

Irenaeus (130-195) Bishop of Lyons (France) Refutation and Overthrow of the Knowledge (gnosis) falsely So-Called and sometimes called Against Heresies Disciple of Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John Fought against Gnosticism; defended the four-fold gospel against the many spurious gnostic-gospels.

Hippolytus (170-236) Presbyter (bishop) in Rome Refutation of All Heresies : Sections 4-10 known as the Philosophoumena Disciple of Irenaeus (and Polycarp and John) Fought against Modalism, Patripassianism, Sabellianism and Gnosticism

Tertullian (155-222) North Africa Bishop of Carthage (modern Libya) Apology, Against Praxeas, The Prescription of Heretics, Against Marcion Supported the Montanist movement. Fought gnosticism, Marcionism, Docetism, and Modalistic Monarchianism. Advanced theological understanding of the Trinity

Athanasius (296-373) Bishop of Alexandria Egypt Apologia Contra Arianos (Arianism), Contra Gentes , (Paganism) Fought against Arianism Stalwart defender of orthodoxy including Trinitarianism and Christology

Epiphanius (315-403) Born in Palestine, later became Bishop of Salimis Cyprus The Panarion or The Medicine Box/Chest “Epiphanius described his book as ‘a medicine chest for those bitten by wild animals’—that is, those infected by false teachings . . . In all, 80 heresies were described”(Clifton, 39). Had been involved in a gnostic-sect before fighting against it and Arianism

Systematic theological recapitulation Some have claimed that the controversies that arose through Church history followed the general order or outline of Systematic Theology. For instance, the early church had to develop the biblical canon (Bibliology), followed by debates over the nature of God (the Trinity), and Christology. The Reformation deals with refining soteriology, with Eschatology becoming an important focus in the modern period. This may be generally helpful, but cannot be defended to strictly. This presentation follows the general outline of Systematic theology in examining heretics/heresies

Systematic Theology

Bibliology

The Trinitarian Dilemma The problem is how to reconcile monotheism with the biblical evidence of the divinity of the Son of God, and indeed, of the Holy Spirit.

The Trinitarian Dilemma The Modalists criticized the Arians for preserving the monarchy by falsely denying the deity of Christ. The Arians criticized the Modalists for denying the real distinctions between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Early attempts of orthodox teachers compared the Father to a root and the Son as the tree(Tertullian) or the metaphor of the Father as the Sun, and the Son (Jesus) to rays, and the Spirit to the heat emitted.

The Trinitarian Dilemma Eventually, Orthodox explanations became more sophisticated as when Tertullian used legal terminology to describe God as being one in substance or being, yet within the nature of the one God, three eternally distinct divine persons. God brought good out of evil by using the errors and attacks of the heretics to force the church to be ever-more precise in defining biblical teachings.

Theology Proper

Theisms

Forms of Polytheism

Trinitarianism

One God The Father is God The Son is God The Holy Spirit is God One God existing in three eternally distinct Persons Each person has a distinct role in relation to the others

Monotheism

Monarchianism

Modalistic Monarchianism

Father/ Holy Spirit God Father/Holy Spirit Son of God Jesus Christ Deity Humanity Simultaneous Modalism teaches that before the Incarnation God existed uni -personally, the Father and Holy Spirit just different names or titles for the same divine person. Simultaneous Modalism denied the term Son of God applied to Christ in His pre-existence. Rather, it applied only to Christ’s human nature. Since the terms Father and Holy Spirit refer to the one divine Person, this view asserts that Jesus was simultaneously the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Simultaneous Modalism Flourishes in 2 nd and 3 rd centuries. Prominent leaders include Noetus of Smyrna, Praxeas of Rome (whom Tertullian’s combatted ). Tertullian charged Praxeas with having “driven away the Holy Ghost, and having crucified the Father.”

Modern Counterpart of Modalism : Swedenborgianism Emmanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) Sweden The Church of the New Jerusalem Rejected the Trinity Believed a uni -personal God The Father was incarnate in Jesus Christ, The son referred to Christ’s humanity, and the Holy Spirit was Christ in action Swedenborg taught “ exinanition ” asserting that during Christ’s life, his humanity was being divinized, the “divine Human” culminating in a full divinization of the human nature at the resurrection.

Modern Counterpart of Modalism United Pentecostal Church Intl. A modern example of the simultaneous type of modalism is the United Pentecostal Church, International. They are a part of a movement known as Jesus Only or Oneness Pentecostals . The various Oneness groups are a splinter from the Assemblies of God denomination. The U.P.C.I. is also very legalistic and claims that speaking in tongues is the sign of salvation. Important leaders have included Nathaniel Urshan and Robert Sabin.

God Time Father Son Holy Spirit Old Testament Economy Incarnation Inspiration Sabellianism teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three successive roles that the unipersonal being of God played like an actor in a play merely changing his mask (Latin- persona, Greek- Prosopon ).

Sabellianism (Successive Modalism ) Sabellius active in Rome during third century. Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria excommunicated him in 260-261 (Schaff, 2, 581). “ Sabellius embraces the Holy Spirit in his speculation, and reaches a trinity, not a simultaneous trinity of essence, however, but only a successive trinity of revelation”(Schaff, 2, 581-582).

Sabellius ’ Principle Teaching “The Father reveals himself in the giving of the law or Old Testament economy; the Son, in the incarnation; the Holy Ghost, in inspiration. The revelation of the Son ends with the ascension; the revelation of the Spirit goes on in regeneration and sanctification”(Schaff, 2, 582).

Sabbellius as a Bridge to Orthodoxy “His [ Sabellius ] theory broke the way for the Nicene church doctrine, by its full coordination of the three persons. He differs from the orthodox standard mainly in denying the trinity of essence and the permanence of the trinity of manifestation; making the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost only temporary phenomena, which fulfil their mission and return into the abstract monad”(Schaff, 2, 583).

Modern Sabellianism “Schleiermacher’s doctrine of the trinity is a very ingenious improvement of Sabellianism ”(Schaff, 2, 581). T. D. Jakes “And God said, ‘Let us. Let usssssss … ‘” says Jakes, and then digresses: ” … One God, but manifest in … three different ways, Father in creation, Son in redemption, Holy Spirit in regeneration. And God said, ‘Let usssssss ”( Busenitz , http://thecripplegate.com/modalism_oneness_and_td_jakes/).

Dynamic Monarchianism

Arianism Founded by Arius (death in 366) a presbyter of Alexandria Formally rejected at the Council of Nicea in 325 Christ was not almighty God, but rather a created being (Logos ) who then created the universe. “There was a time when the Son was not.” Believed that Begotten must imply creation, a beginning. The Holy Spirit the first creation of the Son. Opposed by Bishop Alexander and Athanaius . Arius was in process of being restored by Constantine when he died 335-336.

God/ The Father The Word Angelic Human Jesus Christ The Incarnation Arianism Arianism acknowledged only the Father as God. Arius taught that Christ (the Word) pre-existed as God’s first creation, who then created the universe. Arianism held to a vague form of the incarnation in which the pre-existent “angelic” nature dominated the person of Jesus Christ Father Created the Word Holy Spirit The Word created the Holy Spirit

Modern Arians: The Jehovah’s Witnesses Founded in 19 th century by Charles Taze Russell. Deny the deity of Jesus Christ. Deny independent personality of Holy Spirit. Taught that Jesus was God’s first creation, Michael the Archangel, who then created the universe. Taught that the incarnation was only of the life-force of Michael, resulting in Jesus being a man only.

God The Father Holy Spirit The Word The Watchtower View of the Godhead The Watchtower denies the personality of the Holy Spirit, asserting that He is merely God’s power in action. The Watchtower asserts that Jesus was Michael the Archangel in his pre-existence The Watchtower asserts that God is uni -personal being and that the Father alone is God.

Watchtower’s Michael/ Jesus Teaching Michael the Archangel Jesus Christ the man Michael the Archangel Impersonal Life-force Impersonal Life-force Heavenly Pre-existence Post-resurrection Heavenly existence Jesus’ Earthly existence

Problems with Watchtower Christology How can there be correspondence of personality between the Archangel Michael and the human Jesus when the only link between them is an impersonal life-force? If the man Jesus died on the cross, how can you claim to believe in the Resurrection? If resurrection means that God recreated Jesus from His memory, whom did He recreate? If he recreated Michael (which makes sense since that is what who/what he is after his earthly existence), how can you call that a resurrection of Jesus? If he recreated the earthly Jesus, perfectly remembering him, why would he be an angel rather than a man?

Dynamic Monarchianism Adoptionism

Adoptionism Denied the Pre-existence of Jesus Accepted the Virgin Birth Jesus was a faithful man whom God adopted, either at his baptism (when the Spirit descended upon him), or at His resurrection. Some believed he became Lord in the sense of full deity (divine nature adopting or replacing the human nature). Others denied that he became God, but while remaining a man only, received supernatural powers when God adopted him.

Adoptionist Leaders Theodotus of Byzantium (excommunicated in ca.190) Believed Jesus’ adoption came in two stages, receiving the Holy Spirit and the imprimatur for his ministry at His baptism, and then becoming fully God at His resurrection. Paul of Samosata , Bishop of Antioch, taught the Logos was not a distinct person from the Father, but rather an aspect of the Father working in Jesus, giving him a divine quality, but not a true divine nature.

Adoptionism Denies Christ’s Pre- Existence Christ’s Birth Christ’s Baptism Both forms of adoptionism teach that Jesus was just a man. But at his baptism (or at the resurrection), God adopted him as His Son and made him Lord. For some that means, Jesus actually became God, and for others that while remaining a man, he had new divine a mission, power, and authority as God’s Son.

Dynamic Monarchianism : Ebionites (the Poor Ones) Beginning in early 2 nd Century Jewish Christians who observed the Mosaic Law. Possibly among Jewish Christians who fled to Pella; further, some may have come out of the remnant of Qumran Community. Before Titus destroyed Jerusalem. Held that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah promised in the Old Testament, but was only a man and not God, denying Jesus’ pre-existence. Some accepted the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Christ, which others denied. Some held adoptionism , maintaining the Christ spirit came upon the human Jesus at His baptism. (subgroup known as Nazaraeans accepted virgin birth, deity, and resurrection of Christ).

Modern Counterpart: Christadelphians “Brothers of Christ” or “Christ’s Brethren” Deny Trinity Deny pre-existence and deity of Jesus Christ Deny distinct personality of the Holy Spirit Jesus had a sin nature, but never sinned. Jesus an extraordinary Man

Christology Jesus Christ pre-existed his earthly existence as the eternal word (Logos) of God. He was the Son of God, a divine person in the triune God as are the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus had no human father, but was conceived miraculously through the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin. In His person, He was fully God and fully man, the natures not mixed. He atoned for sins on the cross, died, and rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven, and will one day return to earth to establish His kingdom, and judge the world in justice.

Jesus Christ The Incarnation Divine Nature Human Nature Jesus is the eternal Son of God. At the incarnation, Son of God added to His person human nature. His divine and human natures are distinct yet united in his person.

Cerinthus Cerinthus (c. 100). Contemporary and oppenent of John the apostle. Irenaeus said that John’s gospel and epistles were a reaction to the teachings of Cerinthus (Schaff, 465). Legend is that John left public bath at presence of Cerinthus for that God would level the building in judgment. Taught that Jesus was just a man on whom “the Christ” came upon at his baptism and left at the crucifixion, a form of adoptionism .

Docetism Docetism was a heresy already in apostolic times. Advocated by Cerinthus , a contemporary opponent of John at Ephesus. It denied Jesus true humanity. Christ only seemed (Greek dokein ) or appeared to have a human body. Dualism ideas rejected Jesus could be in evil flesh or suffer. Influenced by Helenism and eastern ideas. When Christ walked on a beach, he left no footprints. Affects incarnation, atonement, and resurrection.

Modern Counterpart: Christian Science “In the first two centuries of the Christian era there were in Individuals and groups who distinguished sharply between Jesus, thought of as a mere man, and Christ, thought of as a divine Spirit who descended upon Jesus at the time of his baptism and then left him again before he died . . . Christian Scientists . . . Share with them a sharp distinction between what they call Jesus who lived in Palestine about 1900 years ago, whereas Christ is the name for a certain divine idea”( Hoekma , 200).

Modern Counterpart: A Course in Miracles A Course In Miracles claims to be a revelation from Jesus dictated by atheist Helen Schucman and published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. Denies reality of the world, time, space, of sin, and death as illusory, similar to Hinduism’s concept of Maya (illusion). Popular among New Agers.

Pneumatology The orthodox defended the position that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, along with the Father and the Son, the one God in three persons.

The Pneumatomachians: ( Lit . The Spirit-fighters) “Macedonius, bishop of Constantinople, who declared that the Holy Spirit was a creature subordinate to the Son . . . was generally considered as heretical, and his followers were nicknamed Pneumatocmachians (from pneuma, spirit, and machomai, to speak evil against)”(Berkhof, 95).

The Tropici Against a group called the Tropici, who saw the Spirit as the ‘greatest of the angels’ . . . Athanasius argues that the Holy Spirit ‘is not a creature’ but belongs to the indivisible ‘holy Triad,’ for ‘the whole Triad is one God’”(McKim, 17).

Soteriology Gnostic Salvation Dualism Getting free from material existence Modern examples UFO Cult California Set free from “vehicles” to escape judgment coming upon earth Heaven’s Gate Cult Marshall Applewhite March 26, 1997 39 members committed suicide

Orthodox Soteriology Salvation is by faith alone, in Christ alone, through God’s grace alone, on the basis of Christ’s atoning death on Calvary.

Pelagianism Pelagius a British Monk in the late forth and early fifth century. Man is essentially a clean slate created directly by God, free to choose good or evil. Denied original sin. Salvation by self-effort Opposed by Augustine who taught original sin, and that man is dead in sin apart from the grace of God.

Ebionite Salvation The Ebionites were Jewish Christians of the first several centuries after Christ. Though they believed in Jesus Messiah, they continued to keep the Mosaic Law. They were in fact, or in spirit, the successors of the Judaizers that caused controversy in the ministry of the apostle Paul.

Gnostic Salvation According to most Gnostics, the highest God has lower spiritual beings (Aeons, Archons) emanating from it, each more distant and more prone to error, culminating in the Demiurge, who most Christian Gnostics believed was Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament. It was Jehovah who created the evil material world, trapping spirits in physical bodies, and necessitating salvation, which is achieved through gnosis and escaping the material world. Jesus was sent to bring this gnosis and help the worthy find salvation.

God The Demiurge (Jehovah) Gnostic Cosmogony The Created Material Universe The Pleroma Aeons Good Evil The Demiurge (Jehovah) is evil and responsible for creating the material universe. He wrongly believes he is the highest god.

Gnostic Salvation Spirit Beings In the Pre-existence Human Spirits Trapped in Material Bodies The Demiurge (Jehovah) Aeons God The Good Gnostic salvation means escaping the prison of material bodies and travelling through ascending levels to the good (God). This is possible by practicing Gnostic rites and receiving secret gnosis, the most Important of which is to realize the divine spark within. In Christian Gnosticism Jesus (either a man or a Spirit with a phantasmal body), was sent by God to bring men this gnosis.

Gospel of Judas A Gnostic gospel mentioned by Irenaeus, originally written in the Second Century. Publicly revealed in 2006. Judas is the Protagonists in this gospel, his apparent “betrayal” had been prearranged with Jesus to help the Lord escape the prison of his body. In keeping with Gnostic thought, there is no resurrection for Jesus in this gospel. Judas is stoned to death by the rest of the Jesus’ apostles.

Modern Counterpart: Heaven’s Gate Heaven’s Gate Cult of San Diego California lead by Marshall Applewhite. Sought to be free from their “vehicles,” that is their human bodies, in the face of cataclysmic judgment facing earth. On March 26, 1997, 39 members committed suicide. They believed that a U.F.O. was trailing along with the Haley-Bopp comet to receive there spirits.

Reincarnation Many Gnostic groups believed in reincarnation. For instance, Carpocrates (Third Century) “Carpocrates added his version of reincarnation . . . Before souls could return to God, they had to live in many bodies and experience all kinds of action, ‘lest they must again be sent into another body because there is still something lacking in their freedom’”(Clifton, 29).

Modern Counterparts: Advocates of Reincarnation Elizabeth Clair Prophet and the Church Universal and Triumphant Charles and Myrtle Fillmore and the Unity School of Christianity Many other New Age religions

Orthodox Anthropology Mankind was created by God as described in Genesis, male and female, in the image of God. We are created with a dualism of a physical body and a immaterial soul. Some maintain a further distinction between soul and Spirit. Adam and Eve rebelled against God, and brought a sinful nature and death to all their descendants (original sin).

Angelology Angels are a creation of God, more powerful than men. They have wills, and thus some have rebelled against God to become Satan and the demonic forces. They have a hierarchal structure. Angels named in Bible include Michael the Archangel, Gabriel.

Errors in Angelolgy Christadelphians deny reality of the Devil, and claim that the Devil is merely a personification of human temptation with sin. They claim that when Jesus was tempted by the Devil, he was wrestling with his own temptation.

Ecclesiology Some Gnostics continued in orthodox churches but observed the Gnostic practices secretly, considering the orthodox as profane and their members sacred.

Ecclesiology: Montanism Montanism was an ascetic movement, emphasizing charismatic gifts and prophecy as reflecting the new age of the Paraclete. Founded by Montanus. Women held leadership roles including two leaders Priscilla and Maximilla. Divided Christians between their members (spiritual) and other Christians (carnal). Generally held to orthodox beliefs Tertullian supported.

Modern Counterpart to Montanism: Pentecostals and Charismatics Both Pentecostals and Charismatics are orthodox in essential Christian doctrine. Emphasis on moral holiness. Emphasis on the works of the Holy Spirit (charisma). Because of belief in second work of grace, the filling or baptism of the Holy Spirit, tend to view those who have it as having a superior spiritual state over those without it.

Orthodox Eschatology Christ will return bodily to earth as described in the Olivet Discourse and the Book of Revelation. At death the death of our bodies, our souls go either to heaven or hell, awaiting final judgment either at the great White Throne Judgment (for unbelievers) or the Bema Judgment of Christ (for believers), a judgment of rewards and not salvation. This judgment will include a bodily resurrection of believers and unbelievers.

Origen’s Anthropology All men pre-existed life on earth as spiritual beings. Men had a sinful fall from God in the pre-existence. The fall in the pre-existence was the occasion for the creation of the material world, giving souls a body and a world as “means of discipline and purgation for these fallen spirits”(Berkhof, 77).

Modern Counterpart: Mormonism Mormonism taught that all men pre-existed in the spirit world, and that how these spirits fought for truth in a cosmic battle (the war in heaven) determined their earthly existence. Particularly, Jesus and His spirit brother Lucifer offered competing plans of salvation, and Jesus plan was chosen. About a third of the spirits rebelled and became Satan and the demons. Until a “Revelation” in 1978, Mormons taught that black skin was a sign of not having fought valiantly in the pre-existence.

Eschatology New Jerusalem LDS Independence Missouri Montanus predicted that New Jerusalem would by in Phrygia Asia Minor

Ethics Libertarian Sexuality Marcus (2 nd Century) Gaul, “Concerns himself in particular with women, especially those of high rank, the elegantly attired and wealthy, whom he frequently leads astray by flattering them and saying, ‘I desire to make thee a partaker of my Grace . . . Adorn thyself as a bride who expects her bridegroom . . . Receive in they bedchamber the seed of light’”(Irenaeus). Irenaeus also said of Marcus Free Love advocates from Free Spirits (Men of Intellegence) (Clifton, 95). Modern examples Raelians and “Sensual Meditation” Children of God The Family, David Moses Berg

Gnostic Sexual Ceremonies “Gnostics were said to perform sacramental sexual intercourse as an offering to one of the heavenly powers”(Clifton, 27).

Ethics Ascetic Sexuality “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons . . . They forbid people to marry” (1 Timothy 4:1, 3). Origin example Some Gnostics opposed because sexual relations resulted in more people trapped in material bodies. Marcion Opposed marriage, married couples had to separate to join movement

Ethics Food “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons . . . They forbid people to . . . Abstain from certain foods”(1 Timothy 4:1, 3). Vegitarianism Manichaeans, Vegatables weep when harvested, Apologized to bread before eating, Preferred fruit which voluntarily fell (Clifton, 89).

Endless Genealogies “command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer   or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies”(1 Timothy 1:3-4: see also Titus 3:9). This original God went through a serious of emanations, during which its essence is seen as expanding into many successive generations’ of paired male and female beings, called ‘aeons.’ Some Gnostic texts posit 15-30 such pairs (probably the ‘endless genealogies’ referred to in 2 Timothy)”(New World Encyclopedia, Gnositicism).

Aversion to the Cross Bogomil, a tenth century heretic of the Balkans , “Did not reverence the cross, because Christ had been killed on in by Satanael’s agents”(Clifton, 24). Peter the Venerable destroyed crosses because they were the instrument of Christ’s death (Clifton, 111).

Modern Counterpart: Jehovah’s Witness & Mormons “Mormons regard a cross as a symbol of death, and counsel members not to wear crucifixes”(Scott, 254). The early Watchtower regularly used the image of the cross, but later rejected the cross claiming that Christ was crucified on an upright stake without a crossbeam, and the wearing of a crucifix as idolatrous.

Modern Counterpart: Mormon Genealogies The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes genealogical research a matter of soteriological importance, believing that they can help their descendants find post-mortem salvation through their temple ceremonies i.e. baptism by proxy.

Major Early Church Councils

Council of Nicea - 325 Nicea in Asia Minor (Modern Turkey) Decided against Arianism, confirming that Jesus the Son was Homoousios or of the same substance as the Father, i.e. that he was fully God. Produced the Nicene Creed Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra participated as a Confessor after Diocletian’s persecution.

Council of Nicea Was Christ homo-ousios (one- or of the Same-substance) with the Father (Athanasian position) or merely homo-iousios (of like or similar-substance) of the Father (the position of the church historian Eusebius of Caesarea), Even heteroousios (of another substance) as Arius favored?

Post-Nicene Controversies A settlement imposed by a political decision could not end the debate over theology. A battle continued raging between Arians and the orthodox, that waxed and waned with changing opinions and political intrigue. At one point, it was said: “One Athanasius against the world.” Jerome commented “The whole world groaned and marveled to find itself Arian.”

Council of Constantinople - 381 Confirmed the deity of Christ and affirmed the Trinitarian doctrine of Nicea.

Council of Ephesus - 431 Acted against Nestorianism and Pelagianism.

Council of Chalcedon - 451 Defined Christology: Christ had two natures that were not mixed nor divisible.