Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
marcionite
noun
/ˈmɑr.ʃəˌnaɪt/
Definition
A member of a sect founded by Marcion in the 2nd century AD that rejected the Old Testament and advocated for a distinct version of Christianity.
Examples
- The Marcionite community flourished despite persecution from mainstream Christians.
- Many Marcionite texts were eventually deemed heretical by the early church leaders.
- As a Marcionite, he held unique views on salvation and grace that set him apart from his contemporaries.
Meaning
Marcionites believed in a dualistic system, emphasizing a distinction between the harsh creator god of the Old Testament and the benevolent god of the New Testament.
Synonyms
- Heretic
- Gnostic
- Nonconformist