📖 Biblical Definition
The second-century heresy of Marcion of Sinope, who taught that the God of the Old Testament was a different (lesser, vindictive) deity from the Father of Jesus Christ; rejected the entire Old Testament; retained only an edited Gospel of Luke and ten Paulines; and was excommunicated by the Roman church in AD 144. The early church responded by formally articulating the Old Testament canon and the unity of God.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
MAR'CIONISM, n.
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The doctrines of Marcion, an ancient heretic, who taught the existence of two gods and rejected the Old Testament Scriptures.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 5:17 — "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
Luke 24:44 — "All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
Romans 15:4 — "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning."
2 Timothy 3:16 — "All scripture is given by inspiration of God."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern progressive Christianity is functional Marcionism: Old Testament discarded, New Testament edited, gospel softened.
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Marcion has more disciples in the modern church than most pastors realize. Functional Marcionism dismisses the Old Testament as embarrassingly violent or culturally bound, edits the New Testament for what fits current sentiment, and produces a Jesus who agrees with the editor on every cultural issue. The result is not Christianity; it is a designer religion.
The biblical Christ refused this divorce. He affirmed the Law and the Prophets, used the Old Testament constantly, called Himself its fulfillment, and declared that not one jot or tittle would pass until heaven and earth pass. The God of Genesis is the Father of Jesus; the God who flooded the earth is the Father who gave His Son; the God who commanded Joshua is the God who hung at Calvary. He is one. Refuse Marcion in any of his many costumes.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Named for Marcion of Sinope (c. AD 85-160).
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G3551 — nomos — law (Marcion rejected)
G2316 — theos — God (Marcion divided into two)
Usage
"Marcion has more disciples in the modern church than most pastors realize."
"A designer religion that edits the Bible to fit current sentiment is not Christianity."
"The God of Genesis is the Father of Jesus — refuse the divorce."