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The Problem of Unsound Doctrine

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Lavera Wright
Lavera Wright

This document summarizes portions of 1 Timothy 1-7 regarding false teachings that were problematic in the church. It discusses how some people were desire to be teachers but did not understand scripture and instead taught myths and endless genealogies that did not edify believers. It suggests these heretics may have been early Gnostics. The remainder summarizes John's purpose in his letter to expose false teachers and give believers assurance of salvation. It then provides details on the dangerous Gnostic heresy, including its views of spirit/matter dualism and implications for the humanity and salvation of Christ.

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1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of father and murderers of mothers, for manslayers THE PROBLEM OF UNSOUND DOCTRINE
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge some that they teach on other doctrine, 4. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. 6. From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7. Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 1 TIMOTHY 1:3-7
1. Teaching false doctrines 2. Teaching Jewish myths 3. Wanting to be teachers of the Old Testament law 4. Building up endless, far-fetched, fictitious stories based on obscure genealogical points 5. Being conceited 6. Being argumentative 7. Using talk that was meaningless 8. Not knowing what they were talking about 9. Teaching ascetic practice 10. Using their position of religious leadership for personal financial gain These heretics probably were forerunners of the Gnostics
Reference Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14,19; 3:1; 5:13 But the letter itself does not indicate who they were or where they lived. The fact that it mentions no one by name suggests it was a circular letter sent to Christians in a number of places. MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS LETTER WAS ADDRESSED TO BELIEVERS
GNOSTICISM One of the most dangerous heresies of the two centuries of the church was Gnosticism. Its central teaching was that spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil. From this unbiblical dualism flowed five important errors: John wrote this letter with two basic purposes in mind: (1) to expose false teachers 1 John 2:26 and (2) to give believers assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13)
1. Mans body, which is matter, is therefore evil. It is to be contrasted with God, who is wholly spirit and therefore good. 2. Salvation is the escape from the body, achieved not by faith in Christ but by special knowledge (the Greek word for knowledge is gnosis, hence Gnosticism). 3. Christs true humanity was denied in two ways: (1) Some said that Christ only seemed to have a body, a view called Docetism, from the Greek dokeo (to seem), and (2) others said that the divine Christ joined the man Jesus at baptism and left him before he died,, a view called Cerinthianism, after its most prominent spokesman, Cerinthus. 4. Since the body was considered evil, it was to be treated harshly. This ascetic form of Gnosticism is the background of part of the letter to the Colossians (1 John 2:21-23). 5. Paradoxically, this dualism also led to licentiousness. The reasoning was that, since matter and not the breaking Gods law (1 John 3:4) was considered evil, breaking his law was of no moral consequence.
The Problem of Unsound Doctrine

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The Problem of Unsound Doctrine

  • 1. 1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of father and murderers of mothers, for manslayers THE PROBLEM OF UNSOUND DOCTRINE
  • 2. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge some that they teach on other doctrine, 4. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. 6. From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7. Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 1 TIMOTHY 1:3-7
  • 3. 1. Teaching false doctrines 2. Teaching Jewish myths 3. Wanting to be teachers of the Old Testament law 4. Building up endless, far-fetched, fictitious stories based on obscure genealogical points 5. Being conceited 6. Being argumentative 7. Using talk that was meaningless 8. Not knowing what they were talking about 9. Teaching ascetic practice 10. Using their position of religious leadership for personal financial gain These heretics probably were forerunners of the Gnostics
  • 4. Reference Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14,19; 3:1; 5:13 But the letter itself does not indicate who they were or where they lived. The fact that it mentions no one by name suggests it was a circular letter sent to Christians in a number of places. MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS LETTER WAS ADDRESSED TO BELIEVERS
  • 5. GNOSTICISM One of the most dangerous heresies of the two centuries of the church was Gnosticism. Its central teaching was that spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil. From this unbiblical dualism flowed five important errors: John wrote this letter with two basic purposes in mind: (1) to expose false teachers 1 John 2:26 and (2) to give believers assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13)
  • 6. 1. Mans body, which is matter, is therefore evil. It is to be contrasted with God, who is wholly spirit and therefore good. 2. Salvation is the escape from the body, achieved not by faith in Christ but by special knowledge (the Greek word for knowledge is gnosis, hence Gnosticism). 3. Christs true humanity was denied in two ways: (1) Some said that Christ only seemed to have a body, a view called Docetism, from the Greek dokeo (to seem), and (2) others said that the divine Christ joined the man Jesus at baptism and left him before he died,, a view called Cerinthianism, after its most prominent spokesman, Cerinthus. 4. Since the body was considered evil, it was to be treated harshly. This ascetic form of Gnosticism is the background of part of the letter to the Colossians (1 John 2:21-23). 5. Paradoxically, this dualism also led to licentiousness. The reasoning was that, since matter and not the breaking Gods law (1 John 3:4) was considered evil, breaking his law was of no moral consequence.