Gnosticism has always been the theology of me and self. Gnosticism's goal was to turn Jesus into a Jewish version of an enlightened Buddha, denying his Lordship, invalidating his redemptive work on the cross. Our egos have caused us to want to be part of our own salvation, which is why the apostle Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Ephesians: For by grace you have been saved by faith; and that is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one can boast. This passage led Martin Luther to undertake the Protestant Reformation, not some Gnostic quest for his inner true self.
K. C. MOSIER
President, World Missions Foundation
Santa Fe, N.M.
The gnostic view that jesus was more of a teacher than a Messiah followed in the footsteps of the prophets. Naturally, the Jewish priesthood at the time considered him a trouble-making reformer. This was similar to the reaction of the Church of Rome with its inquisitions, witch burning, and religious wars. The apostle James originally argued that the followers of Jesus should stay in Israel and try to persuade the Jews to modify Judaism. Other apostles gave up on reforming Judaism and left Israel for Turkey, Athens, and Rome to convert the heathens with stories of miracles performed by a Messiah. I once asked a Roman Catholic priest if he had any doubts about the second coming of Jesus. He surprised me when he said that there have been many Messiahs in the past: Moses, the prophets, Buddha, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and other spiritual thinkers.
MAURICE YANKOW, M.D.
Valhalla, N.Y.
I was sorry but not surprised to receive the December 18 edition of U.S. News with the article "In Search of the Real Jesus." Invariably, just before Christmas and Easter, you publish something that tends to cast a shadow on the veracity of Jesus Christ. The article that speaks of new research brings out nothing new, only age-old ideas reflecting human reason as opposed to evidence concerning the historicity of Jesus. The Gnostics were prevalent during the time of the apostle Paul. Please spare your readers further anxiety during busy holiday seasons by not publishing these articles.
ROBERT BANKEN
Puyallup, Wash.
Documents of the early Christian movement were a mixture of Jewish, Persian, and Gnostic beliefs, Greek mystery cults, and Egyptian concepts of the hereafter, the kind of religious diversity that flourished in the Roman Empire, until it became obvious that Roman authorities looked disapprovingly on theological differences that turned into civil disturbances. Ecclesiastics decided that peace with Rome was preferable to theological contention. Hence, with the insistence of the clerical community, clerics sought a unity of dogma in 325 that, once established with imperial favor under Constantine, made heresy and dissent unfashionable and then dangerous. The legend lives on.
DON SHARPES
Author, Lords of the Scrolls
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Clarification: "Alzheimer's Today" [December 11] should have stated that Namenda, one of five medications approved by the federal government for dementia, is licensed for severe as well as moderate forms. It is not approved for mild disease.
Corrections:
"See a Glacier (Before It Melts)" [Dec. 25, 2006-Jan. 1, 2007] should have pointed out that Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, not neighboring Kenya.
The photo captioned "Union cavalry before the action" accompanying "Gettysburg's Good News" [Dec. 4, 2006] was in fact taken after 1875.
"Five Years and Counting in Cuba" [January 8] should have reported that a decision on the rights of detainees is pending from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, not the Ninth Circuit.
Corrections:
"See a Glacier (Before It Melts)" [Dec. 25, 2006-Jan. 1, 2007] should have pointed out that Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, not neighboring Kenya.
The photo captioned "Union cavalry before the action" accompanying "Gettysburg's Good News" [Dec. 4, 2006] was in fact taken after 1875.
"Five Years and Counting in Cuba" [January 8] should have reported that a decision on the rights of detainees is pending from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, not the Ninth Circuit.
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