Expert: Dean Gade - 11/5/2008

Question
What is the biblical response when a pastor of a chuch begins gnostic teaching and claims to now be a gnostic?

Thank you very much.

Answer
If you are both in a Christian church then he is sinning against you and then the  biblical response is that you go to him warn him of his error.  If he doesn't listen take along another person to warn him.  If that fails then you should take it to the authority in the local church or denomination that you and he belong to.  This is what Jesus told His disciples:

Matt 18:15-17

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'   17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church ; and if he refuses to listen even to the church , treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector".
NIV

A pastor who has taken an oath to teach the Word of God to the flock over which God made him an overseer, is sinning against them if he confuses other teachings and practices in with the Bible. Confessing to be a Gnostic does not excuse him from his oath..... and his new beliefs will lead him away from the full saving grace of God in Christ.

If you feel inadequate to explain the difference between a Gnostic and a Christian, you probably should discuss this matter with an official in your church who knows what Gnostics teach and has authority to call this pastor back to repentance.