How would you treat a brother who believes that Jesus is the son of God, but who does not believe that he is God in flesh? How would you treat a brother who cannot think of even one sin he has committed since he was baptized, perhaps four years ago, and believes that it is possible to live without sinning? -- Nils (Berlin)

According to 2 John 7 and 1 John 4:1-3, this is not a brother at all. No one can deny that Jesus came in the flesh and have God.

The scriptures are explicit on that point. He sounds suspiciously like a Gnostic. Perhaps he used to hold to orthodox doctrine, but has changed his mind. If you aren't familiar with Gnosticism in its original form, click here.

If he is not a Gnostic (and perhaps even if he is), I think you may be dealing with an arrogant person. Teach him! 1 John 1 says that we all sin. In fact, 1 and 2 John were written to protect believers in the late first century from Gnostic teaching.

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