Expert: Sal - 6/20/2006

Question
Thanks Sal!  Could you tell me what gnosticism was and whether pre- gospel popes followed this tradition, Were apocryphal books part of the oral tradition originally so that things like the book of Mrs Noah ( not the correct title, I know) were part of early doctrine. I am very curious about beginnings and would like to know how much work st Paul needed to do to establish the church.

Answer
Hello Mark:

Gnosticism was an early heresy in the Church. They believed that they had special knowledge that no one else had. The others could not be saved without this "knowledge". The popes did not follow Gnosticism as far as I know. The books written by the Gnostics were not part of the oral tradition of the Catholic Church. They were not responsible for any doctrine of the Church. Their writings did lead some astray, but were never part of the proper doctrine of the Church.

St. Paul had much work to do in establishing churches in various locations. Just read his letters and you will see how much he had to overcome in order to teach Catholic doctrine.

Thanks for the question.
Sal