Can I compare Protestants to Gnostics seeing how both (i think) deny the real presence?

[mattp0625]

St Ignatius of Antioch wrote in 110 AD:

“Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which that Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes.”

When St Ignatius is referring to those who hold “heterodox opinions” is he talking about the gnostics? Or some other people? Did all gnostics deny the true presence or just some?

If he is talking about the gnostics, can i rightly tell a protestant that he/she is like the gnoistics of the early church who denied the true presence at the Eucharist?

I believe there are similarities and differences. I love Ignatius!

 

[gnosisofthomas]

St Ignatius of Antioch wrote in 110 AD:

“Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which that Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes.”

When St Ignatius is referring to those who hold “heterodox opinions” is he talking about the gnostics? Or some other people? Did all gnostics deny the true presence or just some?

If he is talking about the gnostics, can i rightly tell a protestant that he/she is like the gnoistics of the early church who denied the true presence at the Eucharist?

I’m a bit late in seeing this thread, but I just wanted to point out the existence of the Gospel of Philip, a Gnostic text from the Valentinian school. It is perhaps the oldest text on sacramental theology, and talks extensively about the Eucharist, as well as the other sacraments. In it, it very bluntly says, “The Eucharist is Jesus.” There may very well have been other Gnostic schools of thought that refused the Eucharist, or denied the Real Presence, but the Valentinians obviously did not – nor do any of the modern Gnostic churches that I’m aware of.