MARCH 2004 THE GNOSTICS AND

BY TIM KELLER Gospel of or some months I have been religion of . spiritual perfection.This happens Thomas Fgetting questions about the Gnosticism is heavily influenced through a process of self-discovery, sounds far more “Gnostic gospels” and The Da by the Hellenistic understanding in which you discover your divine misogynist Vinci Code, so it seems right to that the material world is evil identity, you separate from the than anything give readers of this newsletter a and the spirit is good. Gnostics world by ‘stripping off’ the con- found in bit of guidance.This is by no believed that the ultimate supreme sciousness of the physical body, the Bible. means a definitive response or God did not create the world, but and you finally experience the analysis—it is more like pastoral rather a lesser god, a ‘demiurge,’ kingdom of light, peace, and life. counsel— but I hope it will clear created the world poorly and The writings of gnosticism up a few things. imperfectly.The result was a were much wider than the Nag The Gnostics’ Jesus material world filled with decay, Hammadi texts, but what makes In 1945 a red earthenware jar weakness, and death. But gnostics the NH texts different is that, as was found buried near Nag believed that human beings, Craig Blomberg writes, they use Hammadi, a town in upper Egypt. though locked in this material the purported conversations of Within thirteen papyrus books body, have a spark of the higher Jesus with his disciples as “little dating from A.D.350 were discov- spiritual reality within.This spark, more than an artificial framework ered.The writings were those if fanned into a flame, can liberate for imparting Gnostic doctrine.” of believers in the philosophy/ us and help us evolve back into (The Historical Reliability of the

(continued on page 2) HFNY CONNECTING COMMUNITIES BY MICHEAL O’NEIL Connect ope for New York welcomes vision is to partner with various the opportunity to speak at a with your Hsix new affiliates to partner affiliates throughout the city in NYC high school.And these new Community with us in 2004 in serving com- serving our community - body, opportunities are conveniently munities throughout New York mind and spirit.We do this in two located in four of the five boroughs City.They are Generation X-cel, ways -1) connecting volunteers - Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn Teen Artists Living for Christ, to opportunities at our affiliates, and the Bronx. Our new affiliates Here’s Life Inner City, Living and 2) giving grants to support work with a wide range of target- Waters Fellowship,World Vision, these volunteer opportunities. ed groups including youth, home- and the Bronx Collaborative Through our six new affiliates less, adult and immigrant popula- High School for Technology and volunteers can mentor and tutor tions. Each new affiliate offers Humanities.We believe these affil- youth, serve food to the homeless, volunteers an opportunity to enter iates will enhance and strengthen teach GED/ESL classes, instruct in into people’s lives and engage in our commitment and service to the arts, pack and distribute cultural renewal of the city. the city. Hope for New York’s homeless care kits and even have Generation X-cel provides a

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INSIDE: • THE PASSION OF CHRIST– WHY DID HE HAVE TO DIE? • TESTIMONY OF A CHANGED LIFE. THE GNOSTICS AND JESUS CONT. FROM FRONT PAGE

Gospels, p.208) The most well- According to the gnostics, Jesus concept) of disembodied souls known of these Gnostic-Jesus was not raised bodily, and neither living apart from the body.What texts include “The Gospel of will we be. does this mean? We know from Thomas,” the “Apocryphon of Lost Gospels? the Pauline letters, some written James,”“The Gospel of Phillip” Helmut Koester of Harvard only 13 years after Jesus’ death, and “The Gospel of Truth.” has argued that the Nag that all the early Christians The teachings of the gnostics’ Hammadi Gnostic-Jesus texts claimed to have met Jesus and Jesus flatly contradicts the Jesus were written very early, almost as that he was still alive. But it of the Bible.The Gnostic-Jesus early as the Biblical gospels them- would have been impossible for says, “When you come to know selves.And , who did Jewish believers to claim “Jesus yourselves... you will realize that it a doctorate under Koester at is alive” without also believing is you who are the sons of the living Harvard, has popularized this he was raised physically from father. But if you will not know view in The Gnostic Gospels the dead. yourselves, you dwell in poverty.” and the more recent Beyond Helmut Koester and others (Thomas-3)This reflects the gnostic Belief:The Secret Gospel of posit that the first Christians concept that self-consciousness of Thomas. believed, as the gnostics, that one’s own divinity (rather than a But this is very much a minority Jesus was only ‘spiritually risen’ new awareness of sinfulness and view across the field of scholar- and decades later the idea of a need) is the first step to salvation. ship. N.T.Wright says, “It has bodily resurrection developed. The Gnostic- Jesus also says, long been the received wisdom But N.T.Wright shows that “When you disrobe yourselves and among students of early Christianity could never have are not ashamed, and take your Christianity that the Gospel of arisen as a movement among garments and lay them beneath Thomas...found at Nag Jews unless the original believ- your feet like little children, and Hammadi...is a comparatively late ers knew Jesus had been raised tread upon them, then [shall ye see] stage in the development of bodily from the dead.This the Son of the living One, and ye Christianity.” ( means in turn that the attempt shall not fear.” (Thomas-37) This and the People of God, p.436) to create a Gnostic-Jesus must and the other ‘undressing’ saying The great majority of scholars have been much later.The writ- (Thomas-21) urges us to ‘dis- believe the Gnostic-Jesus texts ings could not have represented robe,’ to trample underfoot and to have been written 100-200 an early but repressed true ver- despise the physical nature. years after the Biblical gospels, sion of Jesus-faith.Wright asks: The most interesting statement which all were written within “Which Roman emperor would of all is Thomas-71 where the the first 30-60 years after Jesus’ persecute anyone for reading the Gnostic-Jesus says: “I will destroy death.Why this consensus? Gospel of Thomas [since it so close- this house and no one will be able As N.T.Wright points out in ly reflected Greek thinking]?....It to rebuild it.” This is a clear The Resurrection of the Son of should be clear that the talk about a contradiction of Jesus’ saying in God, the early Christians were spiritual ‘resurrection’ in the sense John 2 that though others all Jews. Jews had a thoroughly used by [the gnostic writings] could would destroy his body, he different world-view than that not be anything other than a late, would be resurrected.This of the Greeks or the gnostics. drastic modification of Christian reflects the gnostic disdain for They believed firmly that this language.” (Resurrection, p.550.) the very idea of the resurrec- material world was made good There is far, far more that could tion. Since, in their view, the (see Genesis!) and that despite be said in criticism of the thesis material world is an evil thing we sin God was going to renew it that the Gnostic-Jesus is older must be freed from, the bodily and resurrect our bodies (Daniel than the Biblical Jesus. But I’ll resurrection is completely rejected. 12:1-2.) Jews had no hope (or stop here. (continued on page 3)

REDEEMER REPORT The Redeemer Report is a publication of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church. OFFICE • 271 MADISON AVENUE • SUITE 1600 • NEW YORK, NEW YORK • 10016 (212) 808-4460 (phone) (212) 808-4465 (fax) www.redeemer.com Kathy Keller Rebecca Lock HUNTER COLLEGE AUDITORIUM ETHICAL CULTURE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH East 69TH (Between Park & Lexington) West 64TH and CPW Corner of West 79TH and Broadway Fred Liedtke services at 10:30AM • 5:45PM service at 9:15AM service at 7:ooPM THE GNOSTICS AND JESUS CONT. FROM PAGE 2

The Da Vinci Code and of Mary Magdalene as one of the Jesus—and the effort failed miser- Misogyny early disciples.This gives the ably.That is a historical fact. Few The Da Vinci Code by Dan impression that the gnostic gospels took the Gnostic-Jesus seriously. Brown has become a best seller are more pro-women than the Bible There was no explosive move- and, though it purports to be or traditional theology. ment of changed lives that resulted nothing but fiction, it takes up But the last saying in the Gospel from these writings as like that the basic ideas of The gnostic of Thomas is far more misogynist with resulted from the proclama- gospels makes them the premise than anything found in the Bible. tion of Matthew, Mark, Luke, of the story.The story assumes Simon Peter said to them: Let and John. And there won’t be any that Jesus was not resurrected Mary go forth from among us, for explosion of changed lives today. and did not claim to be God, women are not worthy of the life. In the end, the proof of the but rather married Mary Jesus said: Behold, I shall lead her, pudding is in the eating, as the Magdalene. His true, original that I may make her male, in order old proverb says.The Gnostic- teachings are found in the that she also may become a living Gospels fail in their fundamental gnostic writings.The Biblical spirit like you males. For every definition —they are not gospels, gospels were written later and woman who makes herself male good news. Instead of being the original truth of Jesus’ life shall enter into the kingdom of the declaration of what God has and teaching was repressed by heaven. (Thomas-114) This say- done to accomplish salvation the church. ing reflects the low view of FOR us, they are just the same What can I say? It’s only a women in the Gnostic philosophy. old same old—a rehash of self- novel —so how can you criticize It is ironic that the author of the improvement techniques and it? It tries to make the case that Da Vinci Code thinks the Gnostic- (sometimes) good advice about the Gnostic-Jesus was the one Jesus was friendlier to women. ethical living.This is NOT the who lived, not the real Jesus. No changed lives good news that transforms lives. But as we showed, the scholarly Thirty years ago when we were It is merely, like all other religions world sees very little evidence in seminary my wife and I (like besides the true Gospel, a do-it- that this is the case.There are all graduate students of Bible and yourself- salvation based on plenty of other incongruities and theology) studied the gnostic teachings which must be obeyed oddities about The Da Vinci writings. A simple reading of the in order to reach enlightenment. Code, but I’ll just mention one. texts shows they reflect a vastly Nothing could be farther from The story lifts up the gnostic- different world-view than that of the true Gospel, the news that gospels as the “truth” and depicts the Bible. Even young seminary Jesus, by his life and death, has the church as a repressive regime students could see it was an effort actually SAVED us and given that wants to hide the importance of a different religion to co-opt us new life, free for the taking.

OPEN FORUM

Concert and Lecture – 6:00 PM, Sunday, April 4, 2004 Hunter College Auditorium, 69th and Park Avenue

Mozart: Requiem, K.626 Performed by the Orchestra of the Redeemer Miriam Burns, music director and the Redeemer Choir and Soloists

Lecture by Dr.Timothy Keller

Open-microphone Question and Answer Session following the performance Free admission MY STORY: TESTIMONY OF A CHANGED LIFE

BY OMAR REYES ( ASTOLDTOJENNIFER KIZER) n the Brooklyn neighborhood salvation as a Christian, and my and have weekly bible studies. Iwhere I grew up, my family hard-won lessons about com- We’d also give them the spiri- lived on the safest block. Of munity—have done the most tual, emotional, and sometimes course, that was only because to shape my views on social financial support they needed the area’s drug dealers resided issues.When I returned to to rise above their situations. I there, too.They didn’t want any New York (where I took night saw real changes happen, right shootings on their turf. But like courses at City College and a in front of me. many Dominican poor, my series of jobs to pay the rent), I Years have passed since I got family—my mother, my was ready to put those ideas involved with St. Paul’s House. younger brother and sister, and into action. I began attending I’ve since moved—I’m now in I—were grateful for our subsi- Redeemer, where Tim’s lec- my final year of seminary in dized public housing, even if tures blew my mind, and I Columbia, South Carolina. I crime and drugs came with the longed to get more involved in married a former military territory.We were also grateful the church. woman (and now a stay-at- for our food stamps, which to Problem was, I didn’t feel home mom with our two-year- me were just another form of like I fit in. Back then, in the old son, Azriel). And I hope to currency.We ate and dressed early 90’s, Redeemer didn’t feel eventually serve God as an and lived right on the poverty like a place for minorities—at army chaplain. I recently line. least not poor Hispanics like returned to New York to speak My mother didn’t practice a me. It’s not that the people I at a Christmas dinner at St. religion, but I became a met weren’t gracious. But Paul’s House, and I was really Christian during high school, when I went out to lunch with encouraged by the ongoing as a result of first an encounter a group after one Sunday serv- efforts of the ministry, now with the Jehovah’s Witnesses ice, I found myself in an Upper supported by Hope For New and later the friendship of East Side restaurant I couldn’t York. some believers at my school. afford. It was humiliating. I But there is still so much to A few years later, I finished remember telling everyone I be done! A perception remains, high school, and I had to make wasn’t hungry—then eating all even among Christians, that the some hard choices.Though I’d the bread on the table! homeless ought to pull them- gotten good grades, it seemed Then I heard about a min- selves up by their own boot- pointless for a penniless teenag- istry called St. Paul’s House straps. Many who hold this er to apply for college. How where several Redeemer mem- view might have even done would I pay for it? My guid- bers were volunteering. this themselves. I agree to an ance counselor never told me I Basically, they needed volun- extent, and I realize it’s a com- might be eligible for financial teers to pitch in at a shelter plicated political issue. But I aid. So I joined the military, that helped homeless men get also know what it’s like for where they promised me a job, back on their feet. I knew I these men. Imagine being at three meals a day, and college could relate to the men—black rock bottom, alone, depressed tuition. and Hispanic guys caught in a and lacking confidence. No Looking back, I’m glad I did downward cycle of poverty. I one’s going to hire you if your it. Of course, to join the armed was painfully aware that in the clothes are rumpled, or if you forces is to be thrown into past I too could have been smell, or if you lack, say, basic some tough circumstances. But sucked into that cycle, like so computer skills. I really learned about commu- many of the urban poor. In fact, the task they face is nity, and that lesson stayed with So I joined. It wasn’t long so difficult that some kind- me.The guys in my unit were a before I made some like-mind- hearted contributions here and family. Everybody looked out ed friends among the other there aren’t going to do the for everybody else. Even if you volunteers, and the ministry job, in my opinion. Based on didn’t like a guy, if he was in quickly became one of the my experience, I think it takes your unit, you took care of most rewarding experiences of more than a few handouts to him. my life.There were usually get people back on their feet. These aspects of my life—my about 10 or 12 guys at the For deep, effective change to experience with poverty, my shelter, and we’d go on retreats occur, I believe that a church TESTIMONY OF A CHANGED LIFE CONT. FROM PAGE 4 ministry would have to essen- his own bootstraps. After all, could have been one of them— tially adopt the 10 residents of I’ve put food stamps and public I don’t pat myself on the back. St. Paul’s House, working with housing behind me, in part I just feel very, very lucky. them continually throughout because of ambition and disci- Editor’s Note: the year. pline and faith in God. But Jennifer Kizer, a freelance writer, You might say that I’m a per- when I look at the men at St. attends Redeemer and is a long-time son who pulled himself up by Paul’s House—and know that I Hope For New York volunteer.

HFNY CONNECTING COMMUNITIES CONT. FROM PAGE 1 holistic youth outreach program zations to serve the poor by pro- and toiletries to children and in the Lower East Side near Astor viding a multitude of resources. families in need in the greater Place.Their goal is to empower One way that volunteers can New York area.Volunteer groups youth to realize their dreams and serve is through their popular are needed to help fill backpacks pursue hopeful alternatives to group packing parties.At their with school supplies which is mediocrity, poverty, and delin- warehouse in Long Island City, then distributed to the poorest quency.This is achieved through Queens, volunteers pack boxes New York City schools. after-school education, mentor- with food, personal care items And finally, Bronx ing, summer arts programs and and Christian literature which Collaborative High School community outreach efforts. are distributed to local. Here’s for Technology and Daily activities include pro- Life also provides job readiness Humanities is one of the unique grams in the performing arts programs and youth programs 60+ schools that were formed to and academic tutoring.They also that are located all throughout replace large, underperforming have a homeless meals ministry the city. high schools throughout NYC every Saturday evening where at Living Waters Fellowship [partly funded by the Bill and least 75 hot meals are served to is a non-denominational church Melinda Gates Foundation]. homeless men and women in the in Bushwick, Brooklyn which Volunteers will have the opportu- community. has a well-established outreach nity to speak at the school and Teen Artists Living for program to the local community. share about their vocation. Christ is an art program in Not only do they provide after Mentors are also needed to help Bushwick, Brooklyn that is school programs for youth, they foster personal, social and aca- committed to serving youth in also offer ESL classes for adults. demic development. the name of Christ. Projects They also host a street kids min- With the addition of these include but are not limited to istry every Friday evening where ministries Hope for New York painting, sketching, fashion 30-40 kids come for bible study, has increased our network to 36 designing, mosaic tiling, etc. prayer, and games. In addition, affiliates! If you are interested in They have recently begun a they serve a breakfast every first any of these new opportunities, Saturday tutoring program in Saturday of the month for any- please contact: order to respond to the needs in one in the community. Elise Chong, Manager of Affiliate the community. Volunteers need World Vision is an interna- Development, at (212) 808-4460 not be artists, but people who are tional Christian humanitarian ext. 168 or [email protected]. willing to engage inner-city youth. organization with a focus on or Michael O’Neill Here’s Life Inner City is an children and families in need. Executive Director, HFNY urban ministry of Campus One component of their work in 271 Madison Ave., NY,NY Crusade for Christ.Their mis- New York City is their 10016 sion is to serve and mobilize the Storehouse Ministry in the Bronx Voice 212.808.4460 x122 church to live out God’s heart that houses their gifts-in-kind pro- Fax 212.689.6478 for the poor and fulfill the Great gram and Kids In Need [email protected] Commission - to love your neigh- Resource Center.These pro- To learn more about volunteer- bor as yourself.They partner with grams provide necessary items ing, or to make a donation, churches and faith-based organi- such as clothing, school supplies, please go to www.hfny.org. STEWARDSHIP CORNER

BY DAVID BISGROVE In Proverbs 3 we are told that honoring God with our wealth results in abundance beyond ex- pectation (Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.) Once again, Redeemer’s members and ministry partners honored God in exceedingly generous ways in 2003. The giving in December was the largest in Redeemer’s history and will allow us to move forward with programs (“new wine”) that had been provisionally approved at the end of last year. For example, we are looking forward to invest- ing in our growing number of families by hiring a Family Pastor in 2004. Also, with our office lease ending in September 2004 we are well underway in the planning for new space that we hope will include conference facilities for the growing number of programs and ministries that are meeting during the week. Without your generous gifts we could have never moved ahead with these plans. Thank you again for your prayers and gifts!

P.S. Be on the lookout for our 2003 Annual Report. It contains summaries of each of our ministries and is designed to keep our friends connected to God’s vision for Redeemer and New York City.

EASTER WEEKEND SERVICE SCHEDULE

Good Friday, April 9, 2004 5:00PM and 7:00PM All Souls Unitarian Church, Lexington and 80th Street

Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004 9:00AM Ethical Culture Society, 64th Street & Central Park West 9:30AM and 11:30AM Hunter College Auditorium, 69th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues 5:45PM (usual time) Hunter College Auditorium, 69th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues 7:00PM (usual time) First Baptist Church,West 79th & Broadway