Friday, August 18, 2023

Timothy F. Kauffman (Protestant) on 1 John 2:27

  

The apostle’s admonition does not mean the church has no need of teachers. John wrote it in the context of the growing Gnostic assault on the incarnation. In its original context it means rather that his audience is sufficiently equipped to stave off the decadently unapostolic overtures of the Gnostics, who denied the incarnation and were notorious for “boasting themselves as improvers of the apostles” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.3.1) and for claiming that “the truth was not delivered by means of written documents.” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.3.2) As John acknowledges in the previous verse, “I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you” (1 John 2:26). (Timothy F. Kauffman, “The Word of God,” in A Gospel Contrary! A Study of Roman Catholic Abuse of History and Scripture to Propagate Error [2023], 39-40)