Direct Answer
According to Bercot, modern Christians may resemble the Gnostics when they dismiss apostolic tradition and assume their own interpretation is purer or wiser than the historic witness of the early church. The resemblance lies in rejecting what was handed down and claiming direct access to the true meaning apart from that witness.
Support from Transcript
- Bercot says, "Our Protestant attitude towards apostolic tradition sometimes resembles that of the Gnostics." - He quotes Irenaeus saying the Gnostics objected to "that tradition which originates from the apostles" and was preserved through church elders. - Irenaeus says they claimed "they themselves are wiser, not merely than the elders, but even than the apostles." - They believed they had "discovered the unadulterated truth." - Bercot contrasts this with the early Christians, who insisted "the church must hold on to everything handed down by the apostles."
Discussion Follow-ups
The chapter suggests that dismissing early Christian testimony may reveal hidden pride, especially when modern readers assume they have recovered truth that the early church missed.