As with most areas of knowledge, the Internet levels the playing field. I think this century will see a large number of people learning how Christianity has been perverted by the Pauline church (amongst others), but not enough to threaten the orthodoxy.
The prophet Daniel foretold of an increase in knowledge before the end of times.
The Orthodox church is still strong enough to prevail against the gates of hell but there are some fractures developing. Priests are shortening the Divine Liturgy to decrease the length of the service under some impression that more people will show up if the service is shorter. Gnosticism exists in its modern form as the Mormons and even if Mitt Romney is elected President - he will respect other religions out there.
The Orthodox Church wasn't threatened in the first wave of gnosticism, nor will it be threatened by any other waves. What the Church needs is another Ecumenical Council to sort out alto of modern-day issues, but gnosticism isn't one of them.
Salam lets have a look what Muhammed SAW said about this inhaleLrahing! Salam oh ya 3 Super Heros you love so much are dead, so inhaleLOahu reincarnation brings them back Lil Salam
Yes Yes of course we are all running around and having prayer meetings and prayer vigils and scared to death the rules might change.
But wait God was and is and forever will be world without change.
Never mind!
Gnosticism is indeed a challenge to orthodox Christian churches. However, the latter views the former merely as an annoyance rather than a real threat. Most people do not have the spiritual and moral courage to follow the path less travel led of "spiritual adventurism".
absolutely, organization implies the opposite of Gnosis. If we turn to God for truth and enlightenment instead of the clergy, what oh what will become of the priesthood? It'd perish as perhaps it should.
"The search for God, was never intended to be anything other than an individual pursuit"----Me
They have caused a rebellion against rigid religious thinking that is unprecedented. Radical beliefs never lead to anything but trouble. Jim Jones was called a loving Father, until he became radical. And many churches of today are into politics, leaving compassion and humanity behind, and definitely not following the instructions left them by Jesus.
I heard one preacher, with a congregation of thousands of people, praying, "Dear Lord, give them prosperity. Give them promotions!" Now, this may be fine, but it is a million light years away from the simple carpenter walking among the crippled and the lepers, who instructed people to love thy neighbor and help the poor.
With a world filled with hungry people, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, droughts and violent War, to pray for promotions seems a bit selfish. One might better pray to Santa Claus.
Are orthodox Christian organisations threatened by a revival in Gnosticism?
