Heresies Test
What are the three basic beliefs of Gnosticism?
First: Matter is a corruption of spirit and thus the world is corrupt; Second: Man must seek through knowledge to overcome this fallen state Third: God has made this possible by sending a savior (usually held to be Jesus).
Describe the basic belief of Gnosticism
Gnosticism basically teaches that salvation is attained through an esoteric knowledge that is entrusted to only a few.
How did Marcion adapt Gnosticism to create his own personal heresy?
He reinterpreted the Demiurge to be the harsh, vengeful, jealous and legalistic God of the Old Testament. Jesus is sent by the true God to bring an end to the Demiurge. The God of Jesus is a God of love who has nothing to do with the Law
Who was the founder of Manichaeism, and where was he from?
His name was Mani, and he was born in Persia around 216 A.D.
What was the central teaching of Manichaeism?
It taught that Satan had stolen particles of light and placed them in the brains of humans. The goal of Manichaeism was to share secret knowledge that would liberate these particles so that they could return to their original source.
According to Gnosticism, what is the divine spark?
It was something that originates in the Divine Being found in some people. A redeemer sent from the Divine Being comes to liberate that spark from the bodies of the Gnostic believers so that the spark might return to the Divine Being.
What does the Greek word gnosis mean
Knowledge
How were the followers of Manichaeism expected to live their lives?
Manichaeism required strict asceticism and sacrifice such as fasting and other personal disciplines.
What did Marcion do with regard to the Scriptures, and how did the Catholic Church respond?
Marcion essentially cut out of the Scriptures anything that he did not agree with. This gave the Catholic Church reason to work an official cannon of Scripture which was a great benefit to all believers.
Who did Marcion accept as an authentic Christian authority, and why did he this man as such
Marcion recognized St. Paul, since many of St. Paul's writings emphasize love over the Law.
What great mind of the Church fell into the heresy of Manichaeism and then later repudiated?
St. Augustine
Describe the Gnostic "Being Divine"
The Divine Being created the Demiurge. The Divine Being is remote and unknowable, living in a perfect and spiritual realm.