Sorry for the delay this week--it's been crazy! This week's heresy combines Greek philosophy, antinomianism and maybe even magic... gotta love the Gnostics.
Carpocratianism is an early 2nd century Gnosticism sect heavily influenced by Plato. They believed that Jesus was not divine, but because His soul was “steadfast and pure” He remembered things witnessed in the sphere of the unbegotten God. Because of that “secret knowledge”, He was able to free Himself from material powers. Carpocratians believed that they, too, could transcend the material world and were not bound by Mosaic law (see Antinomianism). They believed in reincarnation and that, before their soul could return to God, they must experience every possible condition on earth (many tried to do that in a single lifetime). They were licentious, obscene and debaucherous, and many believe they practiced magic. They were very communal, holding that women and property should all be shared.
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