lecture 2

history is usually dictated by the victors 

deviation from sound doctrine

gnosticism may be defined as a system which taught the cosmic redemption of hte spirit through knowledge 

• simon magus 
• basilides
• valentinus
• heracleon 

• judaism - both apocaluptic and sapiential 
• persian zoroastrianism 
• hellenistic theology/philosophy 

• 1. school of interpretation WITHIN church
• 2. necessity for gnosis
• 3. allegorical interpretation of Scripture 
• 4. dualistic world view (absolute/mitigated)
• 5. creation myth - demi-god
• 6. anthropology - man is rational actor 
• 7. soteriology; redemption = knowledge 

• 1. better trinitarian theology
• 2. undertsanding of hypostasis
• 3. first systematic exegetes. 
• 4. put limits on allegorical understanding 

• 135 - rome 
• 144 - excommunicated 
• 150 - justin martyr says still active 
• 154-160 - dies 

• 1. scripture (purified luke, paul, and No O.T.) 
• 2. distiniction between jesus god and creator God 
• 3. docetic (messiah of ot is not christ) 

• 1. CANON
• 2. development o fpualine theology 
• 3. reflection on trinitarian relations
• 4 reflection on question of origin of evil 
• 5 reflection on humanity of Christ

• 1. apocalyptic coming of jesus 
• 2. christian moralism 
• 3. spirit - center on question of authority "i am paracelete" 

• 1. apostolic canon 
• 2. creed
• 3. episcopate 
• 4. understandings of HS
• 5. pushing second coming until later