Page 141 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Docetism:
Docetism is a branch of Gnosticism. They applied a similar reasoning as that of the Gnostics so as to
reject the incarnation. They believed that the spirit was good and the flesh was evil. Therefore, they
wondered the possibility of Christ being the Son of God (spirit) becoming flesh (which is evil by
definition) and still remains to be good. They believed that although such a spirit-being may
temporarily assume the flesh, yet can never become it.

The heresy of Cerinthus:
Cerinthus heresy is that the Christ (or Spirit) came upon Jesus at His Baptism and left Him to suffer
alone at the cross (since the Christ/Spirit himself is impassible).

What conclusion does Carson ans Moor arrive at:
CM explain that the proposed backgrounds of the heresies are considerable, however caution must
be exercised:

i. Much of Cerinthus beliefs that are shared by some scholars, are not found in the Johannine
Epistles. At the same time, what the Johannine Epistles oppose (e.g. the claim to sinlessness) is
not known to have been associated with Cerinthus.
ii. The Docetists opposed by Ignatius are tied to Jewish rites and beliefs, of which there are no
traces in the Johannine Epistles.

CM emphasize that all of these scholars exhibit far more sympathy for John’s opponents than John
did, and sometimes more for the opponents than for John himself.

The Authors (CM) finally underscored that it seemed best to conclude that John was combating
proto-Gnosticism, an embryonic Docetism or Cerinthianism that had already divided Christians.

How does 1 John Impact our lives?

How does knowing God make a difference in how you conduct your life today?

What does it really mean to have fellowship with God and with other Christians (1 John 1:6–7)? How is
that fellowship evident in your daily life?
While John did not condemn wealth, he thought that material possessions had a very specific purpose (1
John 2:15–17; 3:16–18). How would you define John’s principle about material possessions? How can you
apply this principle on a daily basis? What will you do differently tomorrow based on this knowledge?

Christians are called to love one another—and we are called to love our
neighbor as ourselves. What are some ways you can show love on a daily
basis? What can you do tomorrow to make someone else’s life easier, more
pleasant, or more God-filled?

Highlights: key passages
• The Reality of the Incarnation (1:1-4)
• Fellowship: Motivated by God’s Dealings in the Past (1:5–2:17)
• False Teachers: Recognition of Deception (2:18-27)

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