Gnosticism

Gnosticism is a rather broad term. Essentially it refers to the Greek idea which regarded all matter as inherently evil while good lies in the spirit or soul of man. The Gnostics thus taught that salvation did not include the physical body. Their highest aspiration was to be released from their imprisonment in the body so that the soul could be free. Gnostic thought affected Christianity by denying that Jesus had come in the flesh. 1 John 4:1-3  is almost certainly aimed at Gnostics.

Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan, Pg. 243