Dumb Idols - Spiritual Thoughts of Daniel J. Clausen

       During the early centuries of Christianity, Arabia became a refuge for various Christian heretical groups and sects as they were rejected by the mainstream church. (Slade, D. M. (2014). Arabia Haeresium Ferax (Arabia Bearer of Heresies): Schismatic Christianity’s Potential Influence on Muhammad and the Qur’an. American Theological Inquiry, 7(1), 43-53.) This was partly due to the region's geographic and cultural position as a crossroads between the Byzantine Empire to the north and the Sassanian Empire to the east, as well as its proximity to trade routes that facilitated the movement of ideas and people. A quick reference of some Christian heresies present in the area: Docetism : A Christian heresy that asserts Jesus Christ only appeared to have a human body and suffer, but in reality, he was purely divine and his physical form was an illusion. Monarchianism : A theological belief emphasizing the oneness of God, rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity. Ebionitism : A Jewish

     The Christ of Docetism From the earliest decades of Christianity, the Church as consistently espoused both the divinity and humanity of Christ in full measure. The New Testament openly and consistently asserts that Jesus is God in the flesh. (John 1:1, John 1:14, John 10:30, John 20:28, Phil. 2:6-11, Col. 1:15-20, Heb. 1:3, Titus 2:13, 1 John 5:20, Rev. 1:8, etc)     Christianity's assertion of Jesus' full divinity and full humanity was established early on, rooted in the teachings of Jesus himself and the apostolic witness. Despite this foundational belief, the early church faced doctrinal challenges that sought to redefine or undermine these core tenets. Many of the earliest heresies were Christological, stemming from the overemphasis of either the divine or human dimension of Jesus.     However, when and how these heresies arose can a offer significant glimpse into how Christ was initially understood shortly after his life. According to some, the divinity of Jesus was