Conspiracy Theories: 21st Century Gnosticism
There is an ancient weapon of fear that has found its way back into the Church. It isn’t limited to Christians, but it is currently targeting Evangelicals for its use. All parties can fall prey to it, and the Church has more than once fallen in its traps of deception.
It would be unfair to give it one title, because this weapon has the ability to appear in many different contexts. But for this particular context, I will address it as what it currently is in appearance: conspiracy theories.
Church leaders are recognizing the troubling influence present conspiracy theories are having on their congregation. Smart and genuine saints are being led astray with half-truths and sensationalism. This is nothing new, but with the internet, especially social media, the immediate power to spread fearful lies is easier than ever before. Slander, doubt, panic, and division are fuel of this weapon, and it is evidently seen on online platforms.
Christians are called to the Wisdom that God created the world with. We are to be gentle yet discerning. Ironically, many Christians who buy into these conspiracies use discernment as justifying the conspiracies, and as a result show a clear lacking of their own discernment in the process. For the sake of time and the core points I wish to make, I am not going to get into the details of QAnon or other popular theories currently trending. My hope and prayer is that the main points I address will show the rotten fruit of any conspiracy theory my brothers and sisters may be exposed to. It’s almost always the same wolf, so it shouldn’t be hard to spot once you know it.
Gnosticism and manipulating the Gospel
The actions and methods of conspiracy theories are often very similar to the actions and methods of early Christian heretics. Probably the most infamous of these groups is a sect known as Gnosticism. There is plenty to discuss about this group’s theology, but for now, we’ll simplify it. They denied the core truths of Gospel, and tried to convince fellow Christians that they knew the actual Gospel and needed to follow them instead of the churches that were planted by the apostles.
It wasn’t until the second century that the Gnostics really started to get noticed. But we see the roots of heretical divisions (some possibly being Gnosticism) getting called out by Paul and John. Colossians 2 goes into much detail about the ways people were manipulating the Christians. Here are just a few lines:
“I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ… Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ… Such people (who judge and manipulate) are inflated by empty notions of their unspiritual mind.”
Claiming to know the “truth” inconsistently
Paul addresses again in 1st Timothy 6:20-21 how some have used empty speech to depart from the truth faith, claiming they have actual knowledge. The goal of obtaining special, secret knowledge was the core of Gnostic teaching. In my opinion, it isn’t that far from the philosophy of conspiracy theories today. To be discerning is good, to be paranoid and irrational is not.
I have heard more than one defender of trending conspiracies claim that they hold the “truth” about what is going on in America or the world. They have been given the special knowledge that the majority can’t handle knowing. So if anyone questions or critiques such claims of special knowledge, those critics are simply ignored as sheep following the gullible flock.
The problem with this is that it is a cop out to being irresponsible and dishonest. Instead of using reason, facts, research, integrity, and honesty, one can simply mix whatever truths and lies they want. If someone questions it, they simply are too “close minded”.
Church leader Irenaeus had a huge impact on helping defend the authenticity of the canon four Gospels in the second century. He also wrote extensively against the multiple heretics that had spread throughout the Church, especially Gnosticism. He says that the Gnostics, “possess no proof of their system, which has but recently been invented by them. Sometimes they rest upon certain numbers; sometimes, on syllables; and still other times, on names.” (Irenaeus 1.401)
I find this absolutely fascinating! How many conspiracy theories in the last century alone have been presented by mixing numbers, quotes, names, and dates? How many change their conclusions or “facts” when evidence gets presented that proves them wrong? It seems the Gnostics were guilty of doing the same.
It is certainly true that there are mysteries and difficult interpretations of the Bible. However, the teachings and truth of the Gospel has been presented clearly, publicly, and truthfully once and for all. (Luke 1:3-4, John 18:20, Acts 1:8, Jude 3) Anyone who says otherwise is either mistaken or deliberately fooling others.
Slander, forgery, and no accountability
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about Gnosticism and today’s conspiracy theories is that they bring about blatant slander and deception with no cross to bear. By the second century, the Gnostics recognized the authority the apostles had on the Church. So over the next couple centuries, they wrote multiple “gospel accounts” under the names of the apostles like Peter, John, Thomas, Mary, and even Judas.
Like most conspiracy theories, the Gnostic “gospels” have some truth in them. They contain legitimate teachings from Jesus. Also like most conspiracy theories, they have pieces of Jesus’s teachings, but just slightly tweaked to fit their agenda. It may not seem like a big change, but the implications actually have a bigger effect in the long run. And finally, just like most conspiracy theories, there are just blatant lies and false claims. They falsely attribute mystic Gnostic teachings to Jesus, as well as portray certain apostles like Peter in a bad way.
Slander and irrational judgment are constantly condemned in Scripture. A couple examples can be seen in the Old Testament, such as Leviticus 19:16 saying not to, “go about spreading slander among your people; do not jeopardize your neighbor’s life…” David says in Psalm 15:1-3:
“LORD, who can dwell in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart- who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor…”
So what do we do?
In my opinion, it would be wise for Church leaders to follow the examples of the apostles and address these issues to their congregation. It doesn’t have to be a full sermon, or a detailed critique of one particular theory like QAnon. Rather, address the trend of online conspiracy theories and get to the heart of the danger of it.
Do I believe there is corruption in the present governments of this world? Absolutely. Do I think there are glorified celebrities who have dark secrets? Most likely. Do I think we should be discerning and careful when being told what to believe by the world? Yes, our wisdom comes from God and not man. But this should be done without jumping to radical conclusions and judgments about such individuals.
To not believe what a news report is saying because it comes from “the world”, but to believe what an anonymous 4Chan post claims about celebrities with zero evidence is not only a double standard, it’s completely going against Christ’s teachings.
Christ warned us the method we use to judge will be used against us. Imagine if someone anonymous who has never met you made absurd and repulsive claims about you on the internet. They claimed to have video evidence of you murdering or child trafficking but never presented such evidence. Then imagine if millions of people saw this claim, believed it about you, and then started spreading memes and posts about you all over the internet. Would you like that done to you?
If we wish to be discerning, we should be discerning the way Scripture tells us. Let us not be gullible to the internet, just as the early Christians fought to not be gullible against the Gnostics.
“Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing inwardly but are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.”
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.