Answers for a Friend – Early Heresy – Part 6
March 9, 2003
Dear Friends,
Our question that we have been answering has been “when (did) heresy officially began and when the church strayed from the ‘true’ church?” We have been developing the historical record using specific individuals and their teachings as a basis for progression. Our answer suggests that the falling away from what the Apostles taught was a development rather than single moment in time. Although other heretical movements assisted the process (such as Gnosticism), ultimately, the ecclesia succumbed to the philosophy of the pagan philosopher Plato. That the church became Platonic is agreed to by virtually all scholars whether religious or secular. The key question is that each individual needs to answer is what does this information mean to them. To this question, there are several answers. Admittedly, these answers are generalizations and should not be said to reflect everyone who calls themselves by this or that label.
The Catholic and Episcopal churches see themselves as keeper of the keys of the Kingdom given to Peter. For them, the church is the ultimate authority. While they acknowledge this progression in doctrine and changing creeds, it does not matter since the church can make changes to doctrine with infallibility. This explains why you see in these churches a slow but persistent evolution of doctrine.
The modern Protestant churches also acknowledge the historical Platonization of the church, but believe that God continues to define himself to mankind in various methods and ways. The Bible was simply a way in which men defined God in their era while later doctrines are more of the same. They make no attempt to justify the changes that occurred as they are irrelevant. This perspective lends itself to constant change.
The modern Fundamentalist churches believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and infallible. The fact that many of the doctrines to which they adhere to took hundreds of years to develop and after the Bible was written makes them very uncomfortable. The most common way in which this is handled is not to talk about it or simply ignore it. Their professionally-trained theologians may be aware of the historical changes, but the common man or woman in the pew is oblivious to it. Another way in which is it handled is with revisionist history. They will say it did not happen. The fact that it is so well documented is obviously not a deterrent. This approach is typically attempted more by the untrained rather than the professionally trained.
The last group also acknowledges the historical change from the traditional Jewish ecclesia to the Greek Neoplatonist church. This group, however, sees these changes as both important and insidious. They feel that the ecclesia of Paul, James, Peter and John held the true doctrines of Christ and that the Bible record offers clear, simple answers as to what it was they taught. Any changes to those doctrines were not improvements, but a general degradation to the One Gospel. Ironically, this last group who rejects the addition to the ideas of Plato to Christianity is generally considered heretical. Because they do not believe in ideas such as the Trinity and Plato’s Immortal Soul, they are not even considered Christian by many.
When it comes down to it, all this strange history leaves us with a profound question – which group is right? Is the group that says the church has the last say right? When they said God was one, then two and finally three, did He change to meet their perspective?
Is the second group right? Is the Bible really just a collection of stories by men who were no more inspired by God than you or me?
Is the third group right? Is all of this history just made up by the other three groups and is so much legend like Bigfoot or the Bermuda Triangle?
Or is the fourth group right? Is it possible that so many people who called themselves Christians have actually adopted a system invented more from the works of the pagan philosopher Plato than that of the Holy Scriptures?
Make no mistake about it – the answer is important. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) God bless you in your efforts to answer this question for yourself.
Have a great week!
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