Essay - Combatting Error within the Church

Instructions:

The Colossian heresy illustrates how often we must fill in certain gaps in our knowledge to understand a problem in the first century church and best interpret Paul’s counsel. In approximately 500 words address the following matters:

1. What features of the Colossian heresy can we infer from Paul’s emphases and teaching in the letter?
2. Discuss how Paul emphasizes the preeminence of Christ throughout the letter.
3. Discuss ways in which Christians today fall into the trap of syncretism (i.e. allowing the Christian gospel to be compromised by mixing it with other beliefs and values not consistent with Christian teaching).