“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” John 1:14.
“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” John 1:14.
I’ve been listening to a fascinating teaching series on Christianity as one of the world’s great religions. The professor introduces the listener to my faith in a comprehensive way and one of the things that has stood out to me is the early heresy of Gnosticism – how it proved a major challenge to early Christianity and how it impedes us even today.
This system arose early on in the Church. Gnosticism said that the material world is flawed and evil. Thus the body and physical experience is inferior while the spirit is good – this is where true spirituality is found. A classic sacred/secular divide.
This played out in their approach to physical things like sexuality and food. In those days it was all about denial, like Simon Stylites who I referred to in a recent message who spent many years living on basically a sheet of plywood high on a pole so that he could deny the sinful flesh. The professor I am learning under said that anorexia was a defining picture of early Gnosticism. What you do in the body has ultimately no meaning. In the past it led to asceticism – today it can more often lead to hedonism – what you do with your body doesn’t matter! The biggest implication of this belief was that Jesus did not come in the flesh.
Gnostics also believe that spirituality comes through personal spiritual experience – direct from God rather than through the Scriptures or other Christians (or everyday life lessons – flesh – for that matter). This kind of ‘Christianity’ is for a privileged elite rather than the great unwashed.
This alarming movement led emperor Constantine to call a major council at Nicaea (140k from Istanbul) in 325 AD to determine what we believe about an embodied faith. In part, the resulting Nicene creed includes this about Jesus: “…and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again…”
These things impact us today.
We believe that the body and physical world are important. When God created the world, he said it is good (fallen through sin, yes, but to be restored). Our stewardship of creation is important. Relieving suffering is important. Our body is a temple where God dwells – it is important that we treat it as such.
We do not believe in solo, exclusive Christianity. While online church is a great supplement, it does not replace the community of believers. We believe the gospel is not for some religious elite but the gospel is for all people and we need to be involved in its proclamation.
We believe in a holistic faith – body, soul and spirit. We seek ‘shalom’ – a fully orbed approach to life where all of life is sacred and lived to God’s glory.
Pastor Leon Throness
Just a reminder about the event supporting Israel to be held at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium at City Hall 32315 South Fraser way in Abbotsford. I will speak for a few minutes at this event and invite you to join me.
