Hedonism appeared as an extreme within Gnosticism, and it surfaced in Corinthian society through Epicurean thought. The view held that sex for the body and the body for sex made the act natural and permissible at any time, anywhere, and for whatever reason. These philosophies succeeded by using human nature, which received broadcasts from Satan the devil that sent attitudes totally anti-God. Paul quoted the adage on foods and the stomach, noted that God will destroy both, and added that the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Such ideas required instruction on bringing glory to God.

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The True Gospel (Part 6)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Gnosticism consists of a whole group of heresies with the central ideas that knowledge is the means to salvation and that spirit is good and flesh is evil. In practice it soon devolved into the extremes of asceticism and hedonism as well as peculiar ideas about the nature of God and Christ. In the first century the apostles battled this pernicious false gospel. Eventually Gnostic ideas came to dominate Christianity and its modern descendants are proclaimed far and wide every Sunday.

The Taking Season

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Both sides of an argument over Christmas are satanically inspired. One side consists of nominal Christians who promote the holiday and its self-indulgent traditions. The other side consists of radical extremists who originated from those traditions but morphed into the world's most unrestrained hedonistic and nakedly self-indulgent movements. These movements believe that anything goes.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Six)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Despite having served mankind well for millennia, marriage is crumbling under a three-pronged attack. Marriage is vital to understanding God's purpose.

Themes of I Corinthians (Part 6)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Hedonism appears within Corinthian society through the influence of Greek philosophies including Epicurean thought. The view held that sex for the body and the body for sex made the act natural and permissible at any time anywhere and for whatever reason. This outlook formed part of broader philosophies that made use of human nature because such acceptance made them successful among people. Underlying human nature were the broadcasts of satan the devil which sent attitudes totally anti-God. Paul quoted the related adage foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods and responded that God will destroy both it and them. He added that the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. Such ideas contributed to the need for instruction that placed conduct on the principle of bringing glory to God.

The Entertainment Craze

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Elizabeth Taylor exemplified the hedonistic, pleasure-mad lifestyle that destroyed the ancient Roman Empire.

Overcoming (Part 8): Self-Indulgence

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Few human faults can hinder Christian overcoming like self-indulgence. If we can learn to control our desires, we are a long way toward living a godly life.

The Seventh Commandment (1997)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

For decades, sexual sins have topped the list of social issues. The problem is unfaithfulness. The seventh commandment has natural and spiritual penalties.

Sin Is Spiritual!

'Ready Answer' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Many people divide sin into physical and spiritual sins, but the Bible clearly says that all sin is lawlessness.

The Christian Walk (Part One): In Love

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If we submit to God, allowing His spirit to guide us, we can live in the spirit, walking in love.

Stewardship of God's Temple (Part One)

Sermon by David F. Maas

After God's calling, the human body becomes the temple of God's Spirit, a reality which obliges us to care for our bodies because they belong to God.

Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Gnostics criticized by Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 were guilty of bringing in ritualistic ascetic discipline to propitiate demons.

Whatever Happened to Gnosticism? Part Two: Defining Gnosticism

Article by David C. Grabbe

We can glimpse Gnosticism in Paul's epistles to the Galatians and Colossians, in which he combats Gnosticism's twisting of the truth of Jesus Christ.

What's Wrong With 'Here Comes the Groom'?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Radical feminism has tried to empower one gender by disabling and marginalizing the other gender, creating a pathological, dysfunctional society.

A Godly Quest for Pleasure

Article by David F. Maas

Is a Christian denied a pleasurable life? Are we relegated to lives of drab monotony and duty? On the contrary, we are created to experience pleasure.

The Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's Word frequently paints unfaithful Israel as a harlot because she has consistently played the harlot in her relationship with God.