Research Paper The Colossian Heresy Submitted By Raymond Harris In Partial Completion Of The Course Requirements For (BE-324) Philippians, Colossians, Philemon As Taught By Brother Tim Ayers Southwest School of Bible Studies Austin, Texas December 29, 2005
Harris 2 Introduction Nelson s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts states, Colossians is perhaps the most Christ-centered book in the Bible. In it Paul stresses the preeminence of the Person of Christ and the completeness of salvation He provides (416). This statement is important because it shows the purpose of impact that the God-inspired Apostle Paul was making to these Colossian brethren in the first century. The point that God through Paul makes is that Christ and obedience to His teachings is what is needed for salvation. Furthermore, the salvation God provides through Christ does not need the inclusion of any other religious mechanism(s), whether those mechanisms were/are Jewish, Gentile or Pagan - which was at the heart of the Colossian Heresy or, as David Lipscomb termed it, The Colossian Error (243). After a person is added to the church by God and becomes a Christian, it is not always easy to remove and/or leave the previously learned teachings that contradict the Christian faith and lifestyle. David Lipscomb stated this situation in this way, [s]ome brought with them many of the cherished ideas of the time which they saw no reason to discard [and defended as an] important, indeed essential, part of God s message. He further states that these Colossian Christians were attempting to prove that old faith, principles or prejudices could be enjoined and married to Christianity and were equally as valid (243). It is this situation that Paul is addressing, proving that nothing needs to be added to Christianity to make it complete; Christianity is perfect and needs no supplement.
Harris 3 What is the Colossian Heresy? Nelson s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts states, [t]he precise character of the Colossian heresy has been a matter of debate... [and that the] nature of this heresy can only be deduced from Paul s incidental references to it in his refutation in [Colossians] 2:8-23 (418). It is from this passage of scripture, that the Bible student is able to see that the brethren were trying to include several non-christian religious faiths/systems in Christianity. This situation has been described as syncretistic, that is, it was composed of elements drawn from paganism, Judaism, and Christianity (Study Bible 1859). The pagan portion of the Colossian heresy appears to have been an early form of Gnosticism (Study Bible 1859). Gnosticism contains the following elements: Matter is viewed as evil Devine creation of the universe is not accepted Angels and other spiritual beings are necessary intermediaries between God and humanity; and these beings were to be worshipped Salvation was attained via secret knowledge The Jewish portion of the Colossian heresy was legalistic: retaining the Mosaic Law, circumcision, dietary restrictions and calendar observations (Study Bible 1859). In summation, the Colossian brethren were trying to have Christianity conform to and accept other religious mandates, which it cannot. The ESV Deluxe Reference Edition states, teachers were trying to impose strict rules about eating and drinking and religious festivals, and were advocating the worship of angels (1183). Nelson s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts divides Paul s argument against this doctrinal error (Colossians 2.4-23) in the following manner (418): 2:4, 8-10 Hellenistic Greek speculation 2:11-17 Jewish legalism 2:18-23 Oriental mysticism
Harris 4 2:20-23 A low view of the body and probably nature as a whole; or asceticism as termed by The King James Study Bible (1859) Conclusion [T]he Colossian heresy denied the sufficiency of Christ because Colossian brethren were making salvation dependent on the need and importance of circumcision, dietary regulations and ritual observances, [the] worship of angels and mystical experiences (Nelson 418) The heresy s Christian component did not deny Christ, but dethroned Him thereby removing Jesus Christ as King and Supreme for salvation. This heresy denied Christ s divine nature; denied Him as Creator of the universe, and deprived His death, burial, and resurrection of any saving merit (Study Bible 1859). Consequently, this heresy undermines Christ, His Person and redemptive work (Nelson 418). In writing this letter to the brethren in Colosse, Paul shows the superiority of Christ over all human philosophies and traditions (ESV 1183) ultimately proving that in Christ there is freedom. Jesus as Christ gives freedom from enticing words (2.4-7), freedom from vain philosophy (2.8-10), freedom from humanity s judgment (2.11-17), freedom from improper worship (2.18, 19), and freedom from humanity s doctrines/teachings (2.20-23).
Harris 5 Works Cited The ESV Deluxe Reference Edition, The Holy Bible. English Standard Version. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Bibles, Good New Publishers, 2003. The King James Study Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988. Lipscomb, David. A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Ed. And notes J.W. Shepherd. Nashville, Tennessee: Gospel Advocate Company, 1989. Nelson s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996.