Colossians: Deeper Insights & connections to our culture

Increase of Occult activity & strange beliefs creeping into the church

Do heavenly bodies have any influence over our lives? (Millions of people consult their horoscopes every day. In the U.S., 1220 of the 1750 newspapers carry astrological data.)

Is there any relationship between diet and spiritual living?

Does God speak to us immediately, in our minds, or only through His Word?

Do the Eastern religions have anything to offer the evangelical Christian

The Colossian Heresy: What is it?

Secret Knowledge (Gnostics)

False visions (New Age)

A syncretistic blend of Greek philosophy, Judaism, and mystery religions, with possible influences from magic

Worshiping angels, strict regulations on food and drink, and harsh treatment of the body

The heresy in Colossians is difficult to identify. There appears to have been a teaching in Colossae that combined the practices of circumcision, asceticism, mysticism, and angel-worship (Col 2:8–23). References to Sabbath observance, circumcision, and food laws (Col 2:11, 16–21) indicate a Jewish aspect to the heresy.

The Colossian heresy has marks of most of the Christian Cults of our generation

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses

Beliefs: Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Trinity, viewing God (Jehovah) as a singular being. They believe Jesus is God's first creation (not co-eternal with God) and the archangel Michael in human form. They deny the physical resurrection of Jesus and reject the concept of Hell as eternal punishment.

Compared to Scriptural Christianity: They diverge significantly by denying the Trinity, the full deity of Christ, and the eternal nature of hell. Orthodox Christianity affirms the Trinity, the divine nature of Christ, His physical resurrection, and the existence of eternal heaven and hell.

2. Seventh-day Adventists

Beliefs: Seventh-day Adventists hold many orthodox Christian beliefs but emphasize the observance of Saturday as the Sabbath, the imminent return of Christ, and the concept of "soul sleep" (believing that the dead are unconscious until the resurrection). They also emphasize health and dietary laws.

Compared to Scriptural Christianity: While they share core Christian doctrines like the Trinity, salvation through Christ, and the authority of the Bible, their specific views on the Sabbath, the state of the dead, and dietary laws distinguish them from mainstream Christian practice.

3. Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Beliefs: Mormons believe in a plurality of gods, with God the Father being an exalted man with a physical body. Jesus is seen as a separate being, the literal son of God, and the brother of Lucifer. They believe in extra-biblical scriptures like the Book of Mormon and have unique teachings on the afterlife, including the potential for humans to become gods.

Compared to Scriptural Christianity: Biblical Christianity teaches monotheism, the Trinity, and the unique divinity of Christ. It rejects the idea of human beings becoming gods and does not recognize the additional Mormon scriptures.(The Book of Mormon)

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)believe The Book of Mormon to be a sacred text, alongside the Bible. Mormons believe the Book of Mormon to be another testament of Jesus Christ, detailing His dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. The book was published by Joseph Smith in 1830, who is believed by Mormons to have translated it from golden plates shown to him by an angel named Moroni.

4. Christian Science

Beliefs: Christian Science, founded by Mary Baker Eddy, teaches that all matter, sin, sickness, and death are illusions. Healing is achieved through prayer and understanding these illusions. They do not view Jesus as God but as a spiritual healer whose life demonstrated the spiritual nature of reality.

Compared to Biblical Christianity: Orthodox Christianity affirms the reality of sin, sickness, and death and teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, whose death and resurrection provide salvation and healing.

5. Kabbalah (as practiced in some New Age forms)

Beliefs: Kabbalah, particularly in its modern, popularized form, involves mystical interpretations of Jewish teachings and often incorporates ideas like reincarnation, astrology, and achieving personal enlightenment or spiritual transformation through esoteric knowledge.

Compared to Scriptural Christianity: Biblical Christianity does not embrace the mystical or esoteric teachings of Kabbalah, particularly ideas like reincarnation and personalized spiritual enlightenment outside of biblical revelation. Christianity centers on salvation through Christ and divine revelation through the Bible.

6. The Church of Scientology

Beliefs: Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard, teaches that humans are immortal spiritual beings (thetans) trapped in physical bodies. It promotes spiritual liberation through "auditing" and rejects traditional religious concepts like sin, salvation, and God in a personal, Christian sense.

Compared to Biblical Christianity: Scientology is not aligned with Christian doctrine, as it does not believe in a personal God, Jesus' divinity, or salvation through faith in Christ. It is more focused on spiritual knowledge and self-improvement techniques.

7. World Mission Society Church of God

Beliefs: This group believes in "God the Mother" alongside God the Father, based on their interpretation of certain biblical texts. They teach that Christ has already returned in the person of a South Korean man named Ahn Sahng-hong, and that salvation requires belief in both these figures.

Compared to Biblical Christianity: Scriptural Christianity rejects the notion of "God the Mother" and any figure claiming to be Christ returned in the flesh, as well as additional doctrines outside of the Bible

By default each of these groups are considered cults because they deviate from Biblical Christian doctrine, particularly in their views on the nature of God, Jesus, salvation, and scripture. While some may share common elements with traditional Christianity, they often reinterpret key doctrines in ways that are not aligned with the teachings of Jesus & The Apostles.

The Colossian heresy has the marks of all these cults combined or some standing separately.

The Letter to the Colossians was a Polemic against the false teachers, the evil spirits inspiring them & the teaching they were circulating within the church at Colossae

What is a Polemic?

The term "polemic" comes from the Greek word "πολεμικός" (polemikos), which means "warlike" or "hostile." It is derived from "πόλεμος" (polemos), meaning "war" or "battle." In modern usage, a polemic is a strong verbal or written argument or attack against a specific opinion, doctrine, philosophy, or belief. It involves controversy and debate, often characterized by a vigorous defense of one's own position and an equally vigorous critique of opposing views.

Main aspects of the Letter to the Colossian Church

The letter is making a case for the importance of Christ as the supreme Lord and sufficient Savior. Paul emphasizes the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ, highlighting his role in creation and the church. This letter explores the connection between Christ as Creator and Redeemer, emphasizing the unity of Christ's work. It delves into the significance of Christ's identity before time, on earth, and over all, stressing the fullness of God in Christ.

Paul also addresses the concept of God with us, in Christ and God for us in Christ, emphasizing the reconciliation achieved through Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. The letter discusses the universal scope of reconciliation through Christ, emphasizing that all things are encompassed in Christ's reconciling work.

The epistle refutes the idea of syncretism and emphasizes the uniqueness of Christ as the mediator between God and humanity. Overall, Colossians underscores the central role of Christ as the supreme Lord and sufficient Savior, emphasizing his pre-eminence and adequacy in all aspects of creation and redemption.