Term
Marcionism
A 2nd-century heresy rejecting the OT God in favor of the God of Love revealed in Christ.
Filed underHistorical Theology
Definition
A 2nd-century movement founded by Marcion that posed a significant threat to the early church. It is characterized by a radical separation between the Old Testament creator God (viewed as imperfect and just) and the New Testament God revealed in Christ (viewed as perfect and good). Marcionism emphasized a Pauline viewpoint, a modalist Christology, and a restricted canon consisting of a modified Gospel of Luke and ten Pauline epistles.
Connections
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- Includes
- AntithesesTermThe foundational text for Marcion's dualistic theology.
- Influenced
- PauliciansTerm
- Related to
- TertullianPersonTertullian wrote a major five-book refutation Against Marcion.
Sources
- 1.Jerald C. Brauer and B. A. Gerrish, ed. The Westminster Dictionary of Church History. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1971). 344Original citation: Brauer, Jerald C., and B. A. Gerrish, eds. The Westminster Dictionary of Church History. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1971, 344.
Last revised August 18, 2026