The church's use of creeds represented the fact that the present generation doesn't possess the whole truth, but is determined to pass on the apostolic faith it has received. It also provides an effective guard against the potpourri spirituality of Gnosticism as seen in the New Age movement. Like most heresies, Gnosticism viewed the Old Testament negatively. This logically implied antinomianism, a hatred of God's law. As the spirit is opposed to matter, salvation means redemption from the body.
Eternity is opposed to time.
Therefore history is of no concern to the gnostic. Direct, present, personal encounter with the Spirit is paramount in order to escape the reality of time. Christianity affirms both by weighing everything in the light of Scripture. Gnosticism Revived Gnosticism has always remained just below the surface throughout church history, yet its impact has been strongly felt at certain times. The humanistic Renaissance and Romanticism were revivals of Greek and gnostic influences.