Answer to Question #138377 in History for RODI

Question

In the fourth century the interest in "Orthodoxy" arose among Christian intellectuals from ... what a need to show that Christianity could stand up to the philosophical scrutiny of Greek and Roman traditions. A series of pagan emperors who persecuted Christians and attacked their theology and style of worship. O agreement between bishops and Christian leaders that there are fundamental questions of faith that can be recognized. Oh strong Roman papacy that can finally impose Christian Orthodoxy. Oh faith that Christians can come to an absolute understanding of the world and everything in it.

Answer 1

The origins of Gnosticism are obscure and still disputed. The proto-orthodox Christian groups called Gnostics a heresy of Christianity, but according to the modern scholars the theology's origin is closely related to Jewish sectarian milieus and early Christian sects.

Gnostics were dualists and worshipped two (or more) gods; Christians were monists and worshipped one God. Gnostics focused on eradication of ignorance; Christian concern was the eradication of sin.