Augustine didn't bring the concept of aeons (emanations/gods) into the church, but he did bring things like total depravity, unconditional election and perseverance of the saints into the church, which contain gnostic ideas.
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Do We Have To Keep The Law?
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Augustine didn't bring the concept of aeons (emanations/gods) into the church, but he did bring things like total depravity, unconditional election and perseverance of the saints into the church, which contain gnostic ideas.
I disagree with your assessment they are gnostic concepts. As a Calvinist in my theology I understand they are Biblical. Total depravity comes from the verse in Romans 7 in the KJV the highlighted verse states the carnal mind is enmity against God. This raises the problem of how does one in that state become a believer. The Calvinists believe God must reach in touch the person with the "unconditional election". Since God knows the end from the begining He knows who will be saved and forces this by touching them. Also the perseverance of the saints is in John 10. These are Biblical concepts not gnostic.
Romans 8 AMPC
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Here is John 10 AMPC (for some reason I can't correct the italics)
27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.
30 I and the Father are One.
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You are obviously Armenian in your theology You need to keep in mind the Apostles Creed is a doctrinal statement defining who is and isn't a Christian. In the 200s with differences of opinion the Roman Creed was created and by 390 it was updated to the Apostles Creed. Everything outside of the creed is open to the concept of agree to disagree. You need to keep this in mind as you find disagreements with other viewpoints on this site and don't attack their view like you just did. Both Calvinist and Armenian views have sections of the Bible backing them up. Live with the diversity of thought and discuss them with the Christian concept of politely disagreeing with them. You might learn some Biblical truth from your disagreement!
I didn't attack anything. I expressed my viewpoint that there are similarities between points of Calvinism and gnosticism. I can support that view with evidence if you like.
I don't know what your view of total depravity is, but to the degree that some reformed doctrine takes it - i.e., that total inability exists even after regeneration - it it is definitely gnostic in character.
It is Biblical. I posted the verses about it. Any similarity between gnostic beliefs is possibly due to those recreating the gnostic beliefs. There are no writings from the gnostic believers. We only know their beliefs from Christians and others arguing against them. Thus they are then somewhat flawed.
At my stage in life I am only concerned about what the Bible says. When I was an elder and deacon in the 3 churches I served in (moved 2 times) I was concerned about understanding the different heresies. But now at 73 without those responsibilities my only concern is what the Bible states.
For your information I find Google is a good tool to find location of Biblical concepts. What I quoted came from Google pointing me to the text then going to biblegateway.com to select chapter and translation. Then cut and paste the selected text onto the site.
Total depravity is defined as, like KJV states, the carnal mind is enmity against God. Thus not allowing the person to accept the concept of God. When trying to discuss God with an atheist this comes through loud and clear. They laugh at and ridicule the concept of God. There are 5 scientific laws that big bang evolution violates. Atheists ignore this since it violates their belief God doesn't exist. That carnal mind concept.
This is the reason Calvinists believe God has to reach in to touch the person to bring them to grace through faith accepting Jesus as their savior. It unblocks their mind from the carnal mind.
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But once we receive the new birth and holy spirit, we are enabled to walk in righteousness. We are totally unable to do so without those things.
As Paul put it we have the mind to want to do God's will but the law of sin in us causes us to sin. Thus we desperately require grace through faith thanking Jesus for paying the penalty for us.