Revival of the Gnostic Heresy Fundamentalism

by Morris, Joe E.

• ISBN13: 9780230611535
• ISBN10: 0230611532
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-11-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

In this rigorous and provocative study, Joe E. Morris argues that the basic tenets and practices of Fundamentalism are those of ancient Christian Gnosticism. Drawing on extensive research and careful analysis, Morris aligns the two religious phenomena, point by point, tenet by tenet. Along the way, he provides insights into the key hermeneutic of Fundamentalism: inerrancy of Scripture, highlighting the multiple problems with the positions of literal and inerrant interpretation, their impracticality and unfeasibility, and their contradiction with their own conservative doctrine--namely, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. This groundbreaking book dramatically recasts our understanding of the history of Christianity and gives important context to modern-day religious debates.

Author Biography

Joe E. Morris is a licensed psychologist, author, poet, and retired United Methodist Minister. He is the author of numerous works of fiction and non-fiction, including Land Where My Fathers Died.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
Gnosticism	p. 7
The Gnostic Gospels	p. 9
The Basic Tenets of Gnosticism	p. 15
The Origins of Gnosticism	p. 27
The Influences of Gnosticism on the Development and Growth of Early Christianity	p. 35
The Response of the Early Church to Gnosticism	p. 47
Fundamentalism	p. 65
The Origins of Fundamentalism	p. 67
The Basic Tenets of Fundamentalism	p. 79
Gnosticism and Fundamentalism	p. 89
Revival of the Gnostic Heresy: Fundamentalism	p. 91
The Differences between Gnosticism and Fundamentalism	p. 115
The Case against Inerrancy	p. 125
Psychological Issues and Implications	p. 139
An Alternative to Dualism: Incarnation-The Word Made Flesh	p. 149
Gnosticism, Fundamentalism, and Orthodoxy: Where Do We Go from Here?	p. 157
Glossary of Key Terms	p. 171
Glossary of Key Names	p. 177
The Early Christian Fathers and Apologists	p. 183
Christian Gnostic Leaders	p. 189
Chronology of Key Dates and Events	p. 193
Composition Chronology of New Testament Books	p. 197
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 199
Notes	p. 203
Bibliography	p. 231
Index	p. 237
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