Arguably the second oldest and most persistent Christian heresy is gnosticism (the first is legalism). Early forms of it were condemned in Colossians and possibly other Pauline letters, and also in 1 John. Gnosticism splits the “spiritual” world from the visible material world, saying that what really counts is not what we can see, but only what happens in the invisible realms. It seriously undermines God’s work in creation and especially in the Incarnation and Resurrection. It violates clear biblical teaching about the end times, the future state we call “heaven.”
Gnosticism is not Christianity.
Harold Camping says Judgment Day actually did happen last Saturday—in a “spiritual” sense. Can his teachings still be called Christian? Some of them, yes. But his most public ones are infected with deadly error.
I don’t want to draw the Gnostic connection more closely than it deserves, but it comes to mind that Gnosticism tends to promote spiritual pride, and vice-versa. One wonders if some humility might have helped Camping admit he made a mistake.
May 25th, 2011 | 11:37 am | #1
In his backpedaling on the scope of the “judgment”, Camping is following in the footsteps of the “Millerites”, who after the great disappointment in 1844, invented the idea that Jesus had in fact returned on the expected date, and was now conducting an “investigative judgment” of the church. The believers in this became the Seventh-Day Adventists.
After the forthcoming “October disappointment”, I expect something like this will happen to Camping’s followers as well.
May 25th, 2011 | 10:26 pm | #2
Were I a Gnostic, I would feel insulted by this comparison to Mr. Camping.
May 26th, 2011 | 1:45 am | #3
Perhaps Mr. Camping might learn something from the fate of another person who predicted an October end for the world.
Re: Pastor Michael Stifel, a friend of Luther:
“Stifel’s mathematical interests also led him to manipulate words in such a way that apocalyptic dates could be ascertained by applying various cabalistic processes to the letters of the alphabet contained in certain Bible passages….In 1533 Luther had already condemned Stifel’s calculations as fanaticism. In the meantime Stifel had set eight o’clock in the morning of 19 October 1533 as the time of Christ’s return and had already given away his household goods.”
Having then lost his job as pastor, he lived with the Luthers for a time, learning until he was given a new parish.
From Martin Luther: The Preservation of the Church, by Martin Brecht, pp. 8-9.
May 27th, 2011 | 12:38 pm | #4
I heard Jesus actually did return; he just wanted to spend a few days in Vegas before getting down to business. Why not? If you’re in the neighborhood . . .
May 27th, 2011 | 8:27 pm | #5
“One wonders if some humility might have helped Camping admit he made a mistake.”
Sadly, it’s probably much easier for some people to slip into heresy than it is for them to admit they were wrong.
May 27th, 2011 | 11:05 pm | #6
Introduce Camping to Al Gore. They have a lot in common.
May 28th, 2011 | 8:56 am | #7
ferdigrofe, you have my favorite composer name. I remember my elementary class cracking up at the name when the music teacher tried to teach us about the Grand Canyon Suite.
May 29th, 2011 | 6:11 pm | #8
The two themes that have predominated the Camping discussions are, rightly, exposing him and his teaching as false and reminding Christians that we ARE to be ready for the Lord’s coming.
WHICH brings me to the third point that in my limited reading I have not seen anywhere. That would be, “seize the opportunity” to do what Jesus told us to do–be about His business.
This 100 million dollar campaign had all kinds of people talking about it. We should be lights in the dark to the lost and this was an opportune moment.
May 29th, 2011 | 6:43 pm | #9
Please pardon my ignorance, but what, exactly, is gnosticism? Or, rather, where can I find out more about it? I don’t understand Tom Gilson’s explanation, “Gnosticism splits the “spiritual” world from the visible material world, saying that what really counts is not what we can see, but only what happens in the invisible realms.”
Again, please pardon my ignorance. I’m trying to re-learn my faith after spending a long time away from it (I’m Catholic). My knowledge of theology is minimal.
May 29th, 2011 | 7:29 pm | #10
Good question, Roughcoat. Here is a brief yet helpful answer. If you want more you can look at this extended article.
May 29th, 2011 | 10:37 pm | #11
Thank you, Mr. Gilson, for the information. Much obliged.
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