[Quix]

God knows my lack of rebellion.

God also knows that "rebellion" against error, human stuff contrary to Him and His ways

is a LOT better

than rebellion against God.

[adiaireton8]

I said that gnosticism removes the possibility of ecclesial hierarchy. You replied by pointing out that in Scripture we see that God Himself removed persons from positions of ecclesial authority. I replied by asking (rhetorically) whether God needs our help, the point being that just because God does something does not justify us doing it. And therefore, even if God does remove people from positions of ecclesial authority, that does not justify our rebelling against legitimate divinely appointed authority. So if in Scripture God removed people from positions of ecclesial authority, that does not justify belief in gnosticism.

The Church has always recognized Gnosticism as a heresy. See, for example, Robert Spencer's article, Knowing the Gnostics. Or read Michael Horton's In The Face of God. Horton is a Presbyterian (whom I had the privilege to meet a number of years ago), and his book does a very good job showing the gnosticism in contemporary American Evangelicalism. Another good book on this subject, but a bit older, and written by a Catholic, is Ronald Knox's Enthusiasm.

-A8