Docetism
There are many Christian heresies; a heresy is something that is false that once was believed to be true. Without evidence people often believe things that with time, and new discovered evidence turn out to be false. Docetism is derived from the Greek dokeo, “to seem”. This Christian heresy first occurred in a letter by Bishop Serapion of Antioch (who later refutes it), he discovered the doctrine in the Gospel of Peter. It teaches that Jesus’ physical body was an illusion, as was his crucifixion; that is, Jesus only seemed to have a physical body and to physically die, but in reality he was unreal, a pure spirit, and hence could not physically die. This would deny the actual saving power of the cross and resurrection. The explanation included that matter is imperfect, so a perfect God couldn’t become flesh. Jesus was an illusion; God caused people to perceive him as a man so they could interact with him, and better relate to him. A perfect God could not suffer, …show more content…
With the help of the teaching of the apostles preserved in scripture, and the declaration of church councils. Appeals to logic and reason, also appeals to accept Christian practices in worship like the Eucharist were used. When people realized this can not be true, the basic principle of Docetism was refuted by the Apostle John in 1 John 4:2-3. Christian theologians Ignatius of Antioch (died between 98 and 117CE), Irenaeus (115-190CE), and Hippolatus (170-235CE) wrote against the error in the first few centuries. Even though The Bishop of Serapion of Antioch discovered Docetism he wrote against Docetism after finding it in Rhosu. The great Christian Council of Chalcedon 451 also condemned Docetism. Even though the orthodox hunted down and tried to eradicate heretics with increasing violence, the use of the Gospel of Peter continued until at least the 6th/7th
There are many Christian heresies; a heresy is something that is false that once was believed to be true. Without evidence people often believe things that with time, and new discovered evidence turn out to be false. Docetism is derived from the Greek dokeo, “to seem”. This Christian heresy first occurred in a letter by Bishop Serapion of Antioch (who later refutes it), he discovered the doctrine in the Gospel of Peter. It teaches that Jesus’ physical body was an illusion, as was his crucifixion; that is, Jesus only seemed to have a physical body and to physically die, but in reality he was unreal, a pure spirit, and hence could not physically die. This would deny the actual saving power of the cross and resurrection. The explanation included that matter is imperfect, so a perfect God couldn’t become flesh. Jesus was an illusion; God caused people to perceive him as a man so they could interact with him, and better relate to him. A perfect God could not suffer, …show more content…
With the help of the teaching of the apostles preserved in scripture, and the declaration of church councils. Appeals to logic and reason, also appeals to accept Christian practices in worship like the Eucharist were used. When people realized this can not be true, the basic principle of Docetism was refuted by the Apostle John in 1 John 4:2-3. Christian theologians Ignatius of Antioch (died between 98 and 117CE), Irenaeus (115-190CE), and Hippolatus (170-235CE) wrote against the error in the first few centuries. Even though The Bishop of Serapion of Antioch discovered Docetism he wrote against Docetism after finding it in Rhosu. The great Christian Council of Chalcedon 451 also condemned Docetism. Even though the orthodox hunted down and tried to eradicate heretics with increasing violence, the use of the Gospel of Peter continued until at least the 6th/7th