5.18.2006

Evangelicals and Gnosticism

N.T. Wright, appearing alongside Vampire-fan-turned-Jesus-admirer, Anne Rice, makes the fascinating observation that both sides of the cultural divide in North America exhibit gnostic tendencies. (The moderator--annoying most of the time--quipped that the two sides can be neatly divided according to their literary tastes: Left Behind or The Da Vinci Code.) In this context, Wright notes that many evangelicals follow the dualistic disdain for the physical here and now, in desiring to escape to the "there" of heaven, and possess the hubris-inspired certitude so characteristic of gnosticism. Are Wright's comments apt, or do they represent a caving in to postmodern relativism? Or somewhere in between?

Note: The interview is fairly long but worth listening to--for the most part.

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