{"id":71610,"date":"2021-11-17T00:01:12","date_gmt":"2021-11-17T08:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=71610"},"modified":"2021-11-18T03:47:42","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T11:47:42","slug":"a-demonically-connected-preacher-affected-greco-roman-doctrine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/church-history\/a-demonically-connected-preacher-affected-greco-roman-doctrine\/","title":{"rendered":"A Demonically-connected preacher affected Greco-Roman doctrine"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nEastern Orthodox Rendering of Gregory Thaumaturgus<\/em><\/p>\n

COGWriter<\/a><\/p>\n

November 17th is observed by some Greco-Roman Catholics in honor of the third century bishop known as Gregory Thaumaturgus, whom they also call saint Gregory of Neocaesarea.<\/p>\n

Although I had heard of him about two decades ago, until I was doing research related to Fatima, I had not realized how much he affected the history of the Greco-Roman-Protestant churches, as well as, to a degree, the Church of God. Yet, many have never heard of him.<\/p>\n

Around 238-244 A.D. Gregory (died roughly 270 A.D.) seems to have been the first to have claimed to have seen an apparition of Mary. This apparition allegedly appeared to him before he became a bishop. Gregory is also known as \u201cGregory the Wonder Worker\u201d and Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus (wonder worker). He had been trained by allegorical teacher Origen in Alexandria.<\/p>\n

Related to Gregory, Roberts and Donaldson reported:<\/p>\n

He was believed to have been gifted with a power of working miracles, which he was constantly exercising\u2026the demons were subject to him\u2026he could cast his cloak over a man, and cause his death\u2026he could bring the presiding demons back to their shrine.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Because Gregory\u2019s power over demons and other \u201cwonders\u201d were apparently accepted by many, he had influence. It seems that Gregory\u2019s enchantments and\/or sorceries (cf. Isaiah 47:5-12; Nahum 3:4), along with Imperial persecutions, may have greatly assisted the Greco-Roman faction in essentially eliminating the organized faithful in Asia Minor. Gregory was also a factor in the Marian cults that began to rise up around that time. His writings teach praise and excessive devotion to the \u201cHoly Virgin,\u201d including the blasphemous teaching that Mary \u201cblotted out\u201d Eve\u2019s \u201ctransgressions.\u201d He was amongst the earliest ones to promote the expression the \u201cHoly Trinity\u201d and the pagan idea that humans had an immortal soul.<\/p>\n

Here the mystery of the Holy Trinity was revealed by the archangel to the Holy Virgin according to the gospel (Gregory Thaumaturgus, Homily concerning the Holy Mother of God, Section 35. Translated from the Armenian by F. C. CONYBEARE The Expositor 5th series vol.3 (1896), p. 173. http:\/\/www.tertullian.org\/fathers\/gregory_thaumaturgus_homily.htm viewed 11\/13\/12).<\/p>\n

We prove, then, that the soul is simple…that what is simple is immortal…If, therefore, the soul is not corrupted by the evil proper to itself, and the evil of the soul is cowardice, intemperance, envy, and the like, and all these things do not despoil it of its powers of life and action, it follows that it is immortal. (Gregory Thaumaturgus. On the Soul, Chapters 5, 6. Translated by S.D.F. Salmond. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 6. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886. Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http:\/\/www.newadvent.org\/fathers\/0608.htm> viewed 06\/05\/11)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The gospel never uses the expression trinity, much less “Holy Trinity” nor does it teach that the soul is immortal (to the contrary, in Ezekiel 18:4 the Roman Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible<\/em> teaches ” the soul that sinneth, the same shall die” and “The soul that sinneth, the same shall die” in Ezekiel 18:20), but Gregory put his own interpretation on scripture (in the trinity case, he was referring to Luke 1:35, which does not prove that doctrine; and for the immortality of the soul he did not cite scripture). Gregory was a major reason that the trinity started to get accepted much outside of Montanist circles (Origen, too, was a factor). Protestants, of course, accepted the trinity, yet few realize that Gregory’s ‘Marian visions’ played a role in this.<\/p>\n

The Catholic Encyclopedia<\/em> claims Gregory the Wonder Worker developed the first creed with the word meaning \u201cTrinity\u201d:<\/p>\n

The first creed in which it appears is that of Origen’s pupil, Gregory Thaumaturgus. In his Ekthesis tes pisteos<\/em> composed between 260 and 270, he writes:<\/p>\n

There is therefore nothing created, nothing subject to another in the Trinity: nor is there anything that has been added as though it once had not existed, but had entered afterwards: therefore the Father has never been without the Son, nor the Son without the Spirit: and this same Trinity is immutable and unalterable forever (P.G., X, 986).<\/p>\n

It is manifest that a dogma so mysterious presupposes a Divine revelation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The last statement should give many pause as it was allegedly from seeing one or more apparitions of Mary (and supposedly the Apostle John) that Gregory the Wonder Worker gained his \u201crevelations.\u201d Gregory was a supporter of Rome and Alexandria was a major factor in spreading more acceptance of the trinitarian position, especially throughout Asia Minor and Antioch.<\/p>\n

Because of his “miraculous abilities,” his ideas apparently had more acceptance than what the Bible taught, and many were adopted. Notice something else he wrote:<\/p>\n

O holy virgin…She is the ever-blooming paradise of incorruptibility, wherein is planted the tree that giveth life, and that furnisheth to all the fruits of immortality…Thus the holy Virgin, while still in the flesh, maintained the incorruptible life…the holy Virgin has surpassed even the perfection of the patriarchs (Gregory Thaumaturgus. The Second Homily on the Annunciation to the Holy Virgin Mary. http:\/\/www.tertullian.org\/fathers2\/ANF-06\/anf06-24.htm#TopOfPage viewed 11\/13\/12)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Bible does not teach that Mary led an “incorruptible life.” The Bible teaches that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), except Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-15). Stating or implying that Mary did not is in biblical error. Perhaps it should be added that Dr. Ludwig Ott\u2019s 20th century book Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma <\/em>teaches:<\/p>\n

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is not explicitly revealed in scripture\u2026 Neither the Greek nor the Latin Fathers explicitly (explicite) teach the Immaculate Conception of Mary. (Ott L. L. Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, 4th ed . TAN Books, Rockford (IL), Nihil Obstat: Jeremiah J. O\u2019 Sullivan. Imprimatur: + Cornelius, 7 October 1954., Printed 1974, TAN Books, pp. 200-201)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But it was more than Marian ideas that Gregory Thaumaturgus influenced.<\/p>\n

Bishop \u201cGregory the Wonder Worker\u201d was involved in the councils looking into Paul of Samosata who at the time was considered the Greco-Roman Bishop of Antioch (Roberts A, Donaldson J, Volume 20, p. 3).<\/p>\n

Gregory assisted in getting Greco-Roman influence to succeed there. The Prophet Isaiah warned that the \u201cLady of the Kingdoms\u201d used sorceries since her \u201cyouth\u201d (Isaiah 47:5,12), and Gregory’s use of \u201cpowers\u201d in the formative years of the Greco-Roman confederation seems consistent with that biblical prophecy (he also had influence in various parts of Asia Minor. Gregory Thaumaturgus. Canonical Epistles IV,VII. Ante-Nicene Fathers; also Drijvers JW, Watt JW. Portraits of spiritual authority: religious power in early Christianity, Byzantium, and the Christian Orient, Volume 137 of Religions in the Graeco-Roman world. BRILL, 1999, pp. 107-108).<\/p>\n

Actually, in Antioch with the successor to Paul of Samosata, we seem to see for the first time, a bishop outside of Italy that was apparently installed because of direction from the Church in Rome, and the mystic Gregory Thaumaturgus was involved in this. This, to a degree, marked a major expansion of influence of the Church of Rome outside of Italy (it also had some previous influence in Corinth).<\/p>\n

The Catholic Encyclopedia<\/em> credits his influence in expanding their church (which it calls “the Christian Church” below):<\/p>\n

Among those who built up the Christian Church, extended its influence, and strengthened its institutions,…Gregory of Neocaesarea holds a very prominent place…To attract the people to the festivals in honour of the martyrs, we learn that Gregory organized profane amusements as an attraction for the pagans who could not understand a solemnity without some pleasures of a less serious nature than the religious ceremony.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sadly, it is partially because of Gregory that “Christianity” took on more of the trappings of pagan worship and the Marian cults had been allowed to grow and flourish.<\/p>\n

Gregory greatly influenced theological thought and several widely accepted false doctrines were originated and\/or promoted by him. The fact that he reportedly caused the death of enemies by throwing his cloak upon them has not sufficiently diminished his influence–but should have.<\/p>\n

The Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> put out this sermonette on its ContinuingCOG<\/a> channel related to him:<\/p>\n

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20:46<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Gregory Thaumaturgus, Signs, and Lying Wonders<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Very few people realize how a demonically- influenced leader man from Neocaesarea impacted doctrines in the Greco-Roman church. Gregory the Wonder Worker claimed to receive messages from an apparition he believed was Jesus\u2019 mother Mary. He pushed the trinity, an antichrist creed, and the immortal soul teaching. Gregory also is celebrated as a saint by the Roman Catholics for pushing profane entertainment and festivals to attract pagans. He allegedly had the power to cause death by tossing his cloak on someone. The Apostle Paul warned of signs and lying wonders\u2013and said that started in his day\u2013which it did with Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8) also known as Simon Magus. Gregory Thaumaturgus had demonic signs and wonders and said he learned them from apparitions. The prophet Isaiah warned about the virgin daughter of Babylon who used sorceries\u2013this is the same mystery Babylon of Revelation 17 that comes to her end in Revelation 18. In this video, Dr. Thiel gives some background about Gregory and warns about those who walk by sight and not faith.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Here is a link to the sermonette: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Signs, and Lying Wonders<\/a><\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information, please check out the following:<\/em><\/p>\n

Gregory the Wonder Worker<\/a> Also known as Gregory Thaumaturgus, this third century Eastern Orthodox leader was one of the most dangerous heretics and his views have been adopted by many who profess Christ. Here is a link to ta related video: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Signs, and Lying Wonders<\/a><\/a>.<\/span>
\n<\/a>Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity?<\/a> Most act like this is so, but is it? Here is an old, by somewhat related, article in the Spanish language LA DOCTRINA DE LA TRINIDAD<\/a>. A related sermon is available: Trinity: Fundamental to Christianity or Something Else?<\/a> A brief video is also available: Three trinitarian scriptures?<\/a>
\nDid Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?<\/a> What does John 3:16, and other writings, tell us? Did a doctrine kept adopted from paganism? Here is a YouTube video titled Are humans immortal?<\/a>
\nMary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions<\/a> Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
\nBeliefs of the Original Catholic Church<\/a>. Did the original \u201ccatholic church\u201d have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term \u201ccatholic church\u201d to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?<\/a> , Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover<\/a>, and What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?<\/a>, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy<\/a>, and Early Heresies and Heretics<\/a>, and Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats<\/a>, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more<\/a>, and Saturday or Sunday?<\/a>, The Godhead<\/a>, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession<\/a>, and Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List<\/a>.
\nWhere is the True Christian Church Today?<\/a> This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? <\/a>Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: \u00bfD\u00f3nde est\u00e1 la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?<\/a> Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?<\/a> Here is a link in the French language: O\u00f9 est la vraie \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne aujourd\u2019hui?<\/a> Here is a link to a short animation: <\/b>Which Church would Jesus Choose?<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a> This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D<\/span><\/a>. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries<\/a> and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries<\/a>. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuaci\u00f3n de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios<\/a>, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes<\/a>, French: L \u0019Histoire Continue<\/em> de l \u0019\u00c9glise de Dieu<\/a> and Ekegusii Omogano Bw\u2019ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eastern Orthodox Rendering of Gregory Thaumaturgus COGWriter November 17th is observed by some Greco-Roman Catholics in honor of the third century bishop known as Gregory Thaumaturgus, whom they also call saint Gregory of Neocaesarea. Although I had heard of him about two decades ago, until I was doing research related to Fatima, I had not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-church-history","category-religious-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t