Asceticism & Antinomianism

Gnostic Asceticism and Antinomianism was prevalent in the days of the first century.  This, along with Rabbinic Judaism was Paul's main contentions.  The letter to the Colossians is a perfect example of his struggle with the Gnostics.   If you read the book of Colossians without knowing and staying within context, it can be twisted around and interpreted as talking against the Torah and Torah keepers. It is Not. On the contrary it is to encourage those who are trying to walk in Torah Truth so they won't lose heart and fall back into their old "pagan" ways.   Worldly traditions, philosophies and false knowledge were the order of the day during the Apostle Paul's ministry.  I see it still alive and well today and is what is being taught by most "churches" of today...  Maranatha, John