Against the Protestant Gnostics [Paperback]

Philip J. Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 1993

In this penetrating and provocative assessment of the current state of religion and its effects on society at large, Philip J. Lee criticizes conservatives and liberals alike as he traces gnostic motifs to the very roots of American Protestantism. With references to an extraordinary spectrum of writings from sources as diverse as John Calvin, Martin Buber, Tom Wolfe, Margaret Atwood, and Emily Dickinson, he probes the effects of gnostic thinking on a wide range of issues. Calling for the restoration of a dialectical faith and practice, the book points to positive ways of restoring health to endangered Protestant churches.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lee divides his book into three sections: "Gnosticism in Conflict with the Faith," " Gnosticism in Ascendance in North America," and "Results and Reform." He first offers an analysis of the components of gnostic religion and its heretical elements within early Christianity. Then, finding the same elements within North American Protestantism, he offers a prescription for degnosticization by restoring a sense of corporate community, spiritual equality, divine grace, and commitment to a lifelong pilgrimage of faith. Lee's analysis has far-reaching implications for families, for ecumenicism among denominations, for a return to the language and imagery of the Christian tradition, and for the recovery of a sense of God as mystery. Highly recommended for seminary libraries. Carolyn M. Craft, English, Philosophy, & Modern Language Dept., Longwood Coll., Farmville, Va.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Lee asserts the ongoing relevance of the Christian story of man. In doing so, he has made the study of gnosticism crucial to the ongoing debate about the future of American culture."--The Christian Science Monitor

"Lee deserves all praise for seeing clearly what is indeed there to be seen, though concealed in the multiple masks of supposed Protestantism."--Harold Bloom, in The American Religion (1992)

"Lee's description of Gnosticism is not a historical sketch. Rather, it is an attempt to map the tendencies and characteristic forms of the Gnostic mindset. The resulting summary is one of the most readable and insightful treatments of Gnosticism presently available."--The Thomist

"This is a thought-provoking, readable work, argued by means of numerous examples....It will prove valuable especially to those who teach North America's religious history and Protestant theologies."--Horizons

"This is 'must' reading for every member of the cloth."--Virginia Episcopalian

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 19, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195084365
• ISBN-13: 978-0195084368
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on "gnostic" aspects of Amercan Protestnatism, November 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Against the Protestant Gnostics (Paperback)

Lee demonstrates how American forms of Proetstantism do not reflect the ethos of Calvin or Luthur and how American Protestant individualism etc, and much evangelicalism and the charismatic movement are an embodiment of the Gnostic religions of the first few centures of the Common Era. A real eye opener: well researched, passionately argued, and convincing.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gnostic Motifs of American Protestantism, April 12, 2001

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Against the Protestant Gnostics (Paperback)

Inspired by Irenaeus' "Against the Heretics" Lee delivers a stinging review of today's gnostics, the enthusiasts of our day who say they have higher,mystical revelations that the rest of us earthly ones have no access to.

Especially disconcerting to Lee is the increasing rate of radical individualism as opposed to the biblical corporateness of the body.

Modern ears are ripe to be deceived by these first century gnostic lies. While boldy proclaiming they are about the Word, these modern day gnostics in America do not let God's Word have the preeminence that God intends. Lee even acknowledges that Lutheran doctrine is anti-individual and pro-the action of God in the midst of His people.

Our world today seems only willing to accept a church that will let them have their "me and my Jesus" beliefs and practices, which in turn tickle so many other worldly ears who think they become spiritual on their terms.

One neat tie that he makes between Irenaeus and today is: "it is accepted that a born again Christian is a Protestant who has had an experience of some sort and who takes his or her religion seriously, unlike the ordinary folk who have merely been baptized, attend Sunday services and call themselves Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans or Baptists. ... "They call us," said Irenaeus, "'unspiritual,' 'common,' and 'ecclesiastic.'"

Worthy read and library addition.

53 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pure polemic, June 18, 2002

By 

Rick Grucza (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Against the Protestant Gnostics (Paperback)

Canadian Presbyterian pastor Phillip. J. Lee uses the ancient heresy of Gnosticism as an archetype by which to gage contemporary strands of Protestantism in North America. Contrasts are drawn between "Gnostic" and "Orthodox" trends in contemporary Christianity with the Orthodox end of the spectrum made to look considerably more true and desirable than the Gnostic. Gnosticism relies on salvation through the attainment of secret "knowledge" that can only be accomplished by a spiritually developed elite. The primary problematic characteristics of Gnosticism, according to Lee, are that it is elitist and that it is dualistic; in other words, it views the created world as inherently evil and the gifts of creation as objects to be avoided. Earthly life, then, is not to be lived, but to be escaped. This results in spiritual-elitism, separation of the holy from the "impure" and an obsessive focus on individual salvation among Conservative-evangelical groups. On the left, Gnostic tendencies lead to individualistic religion, personalized and subjective "spirituality" and the happiness of the individual as life's ultimate goal.

Orthodox Christianity, on the other hand, is more concerned with the salvation of the Church as an organic body, rather than with particular individuals, and preaches a Christ who cannot be known through private spirituality, but only by participation in the life of the Church. Orthodoxy teaches readily accessible revealed truth, rather than mysterious and esoteric "knowledge". Who are the contemporary Gnostics? Any group that does not fit into the author's understanding of orthodoxy. It is a strategy that is highly effective, even though disingenuous.

Lee is extremely though provoking and he is equally critical of both liberal and conservative trends in American Protestantism. There is plenty of material to make everybody from Southern Baptists and Unitarians take offense. Regarding its readability, this book might be intimidating to readers not familiar with theology, but in general is very well written.

However, Lee's rhetoric comes with some glaring problems in logic. The first problem is that he never answers the question: "Who's Orthodoxy". Lee sees himself as preaching the message of early Calvinism and assigns the status of orthodoxy accordingly. But he never wrestles with the fact that his orthodoxy is heresy by Roman or Eastern-Orthodox standards. He regards Rome and the East as "sister churches" but never acknowledges that the feeling is less than mutual. He scoffs at the notion of religious "choice" but fails to acknowledge that religious freedom is a reality, whether for better or for worse. Decisions as to who is Gnostic are highly subjective. Lee admits that ancient Gnosticism has influenced even orthodox Christianity; Gnostic trends are to be found in the gospel of John, for example. Calvin himself, according to the author, comes "dangerously close" to Gnosticism at times.

But the biggest problem is that Lee shows no inclination to grapple with the checkered history of Christianity. He readily points out the bizarre practice of castration by the Bogomil-heretical sect, but doesn't mention the merciless slaughter of the Bogomil in the name of "orthodoxy". Criticism of Calvin and Calvinism are facilely dismissed as "simplistic". The sad reality is that this is a thinker with the intellect, the insight and the eloquence to write a balanced critique of the whole of the Christian tradition -- one that highlights the truths of orthodoxy without sweeping inconvenient historical facts under the rug. Instead he writes a one-sided polemic that tears down the faith of many in the one Western first-world nation that still attends Church, but provides no arguments for an alternative that will convince those who are not already convinced.

Despite is shortcomings, "Against the Protestant Gnostics" is thoughtful, challenging, and at times witty, and I truly feel that all theologically-inclined Christians could benefit by reading this book if they do so in a spirit of humility and self-criticism.