The Colossian Heresy: Proto-Kabbalistic?
Introduction The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the church at Colossae, mentions a series of false beliefs and practices to which he urged his readers not to fall prey. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 1 The Apostle goes on to condemn the suggestion that the believers at Colossae could be judged by what they eat, drink, festivals, new moons, sabbaths, asceticism, not worshiping angels or accepting visions from those
