The word “heresy” comes from the Greek word hairesis, which means “choice” or “thing chosen.” In the Christian context, heresy refers to a doctrine or set of beliefs that contradict official church teachings and orthodox Christian beliefs. Heresy is viewed as a serious sin within Christianity because it divides the church and leads people away from God’s truth as revealed in the Bible and affirmed by the church.
The Bible warns against false teachings and doctrines that go against God’s word. Passages like 1 Corinthians 11:19, Galatians 5:20, 2 Peter 2:1, and Titus 3:10 all reference teachings that depart from or distort the gospel message. Heretical beliefs may deny core doctrines like the divinity of Christ, the Trinity, the resurrection, and salvation by grace. Adherents of heretical sects were considered outside the Christian faith and could face exclusion from the church.
Some examples of groups deemed heretical by mainstream Christianity include Gnosticism, Arianism, Pelagianism, Marcionism, and Montanism. Key leaders who propagated views later condemned as unorthodox include Arius, Pelagius, Nestorius, and Sabellius. Major heresies denied Christ’s divinity, the Trinity doctrine, biblical inerrancy, and salvation by grace alone.
The Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches have historically determined what constitutes heresy through ecumenical councils and the rulings of bishops. Charges of heresy against individuals or movements could result in their excommunication if they refused to recant. The Protestant Reformation brought accusations of heresy against Reformers like Martin Luther for challenging Catholic doctrine and authority.
Today, the term “heresy” is less common in Protestant circles, though it is still used to designate teachings seen as seriously diverging from biblical truth. Liberal denominations are more likely to tolerate a wider range of doctrinal differences. However, core teachings like the deity of Christ and the authority of Scripture remain vitally important for defining Christian orthodoxy.
Some key characteristics of heretical beliefs include:
- Contradicting or denying fundamental Christian doctrines established in the Bible and historic creeds.
- Elevating human reason, opinion, or experience over divine revelation.
- Proposing beliefs clearly diverging from scriptural teaching.
- Rejecting the authority of Scripture and the church.
- Causing divisions and factions within the church.
In summary, heresy refers to teachings that deviate from historical biblical Christianity as proclaimed by the church. It leads to false doctrine, division, and deviation from God’s truth. Christians are exhorted to contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints once for all (Jude 1:3) and to avoid those who cause divisions with unbiblical beliefs (Romans 16:17). Church leaders have a responsibility to defend pure doctrine and refute heresy for the protection of the church.
Biblical References to Heresy and False Teaching
The New Testament contains multiple warnings against false teaching infiltrating the church and leading believers astray. Jesus himself warned of false prophets who would come as wolves in sheep’s clothing, teaching heresy that could deceive many (Matthew 7:15). The apostles frequently cautioned against false doctrines being spread in the church by deceitful workers.
Acts 20:28-30 – Paul warns the Ephesian elders about false teachers rising up to draw disciples after them with deceptive doctrines.
Romans 16:17 – Paul urges marking and avoiding those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to sound doctrine.
Galatians 1:6-9 – Paul expresses astonishment at how quickly the Galatians deserted Christ for a different gospel, even pronouncing a curse on false teachers.
2 Timothy 4:3 – Paul states some will depart from the faith and gather teachers who suit their own passions and turn aside to myths.
2 Peter 2:1 – Peter warns against false prophets bringing destructive heresies and denying the Master who bought them.
1 John 4:1-3 – John calls believers to test the spirits to see if they are from God and beware of the spirit of the antichrist.
These passages reveal how seriously the New Testament writers regarded the threat of heretical teachings within the early church. Defending true doctrine was central for preserving the gospel message unchanged amidst competing ideas.
Early Church Response to Heresy
The early church faced repeated challenges from false teachings attempting to infiltrate Christianity. In response, church leaders emphasized the traditions passed down from the apostles and leveraged councils to define orthodox beliefs.
Jewish believers opposed the apostle Paul’s teaching that circumcision and the Mosaic Law were not required for salvation. The Jerusalem Council decided circumcision was not necessary for Gentile converts (Acts 15). Paul withstood Peter’s compromised position on Jewish customs which contradicted grace (Galatians 2:11-21).
Gnosticism in the 2nd century held that secret knowledge, not faith in Christ, was necessary for salvation. Irenaeus refuted Gnosticism by affirming the goodness of God’s creation and Christ’s real incarnation.
Marcion rejected the Old Testament and parts of the New as incompatible with a gracious God. Tertullian responded that both testaments reveal the same Creator God.
Montanism claimed new prophetic revelations beyond Scripture. Church leaders ruled that revelation ended with the apostles.
Manichaeism taught an evil demiurge created the physical world, denying God’s sovereignty. Augustine of Hippo, a former Manichaean, rebutted the sect’s dualism before converting to Christianity.
Arianism denied Christ’s divinity and eternal existence alongside the Father. The Council of Nicea opposed Arius and affirmed Christ as eternally begotten and of the same substance as the Father.
Defending orthodoxy from heresy was an ongoing priority that united church fathers across regions and generations.
Major Historical Heresies
Church history contains many examples of teachings branded as heretical for contradicting scriptural doctrines about God, Christ, salvation, and other vital topics.
Gnosticism
Gnosticism emerged as an influential heretical movement in the second century AD. Gnostics valued secret spiritual knowledge gained through esoteric means over the physical world and material realm. They denied Christ’s full humanity, rejected the Old Testament, and held the creator God was lesser than the supreme divine being. Gnostic influence was combatted by church fathers like Irenaeus of Lyons.
Arianism
Arius, a presbyter in Alexandria, taught that Jesus was begotten by God and did not exist eternally with him. He argued Christ was different in essence from God the Father. This controverted the emerging orthodox position affirmed at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD of Christ being eternally begotten and consubstantial with the Father. Still, Arianism spread rapidly until being repressed in the late 4th century.
Marcionism
Marcion was excommunicated from the Roman church in 144 AD for rejecting the entire Old Testament and critical New Testament writings like the Pastoral Epistles. He viewed the God of the Old Testament as inferior to the supreme God revealed in Christ. Marcion proposed a strict law-free gospel that excluded everything connected to the Creator. His unbiblical views made him one of the most notorious heretics of the 2nd century.
Montanism
Montanism originated in the mid-2nd century with prophet Montanus claiming new revelations that superseded biblical revelation. Montanists believed they were living in the age of the Paraclete prophesied by Christ. The movement promoted asceticism and ecstatic prophecy. Though initially tolerated, the church ultimately condemned Montanism as an unorthodox charismatic sect.
Pelagianism
Monk Pelagius denied original sin and taught people had the innate ability to fulfill God’s commands without divine aid. His views emphasized free will over grace in stark contrast to Augustine’s teachings on predestination and election. The Council of Carthage condemned Pelagianism in 418 AD for contradicting salvation as a gift of God’s grace.
Manichaeism
Founded by the Persian prophet Mani, Manichaeism taught a radical dualism between spirit and matter, good and evil. Human salvation required liberation from the evil physical world. St. Augustine once adhered to this belief system before converting to Christianity and forcefully condemning Manichaean teachings as dangerous heresy.
These represent just a sampling of the significant heresies opposed by church councils and theologians for undermining foundational Christian doctrines.
Modern Views of Heresy
While charges of heresy may be less common today, especially within Protestantism, core Christian beliefs are still vital for defining orthodoxy. Denials of Christ’s deity, the Trinity, the resurrection, and other fundamentals are still considered heretical by conservative evangelicals.
Liberal denominations exhibit greater doctrinal diversity and are unlikely to employ the label of heresy. But tradition-oriented branches of Christianity maintain historic limits on belief. Groups like Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Oneness Pentecostals are viewed as heretical sects well outside Christian orthodoxy.
Disputes over the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture also delineate stances on heresy. Christians holding a higher view of biblical authority are more inclined to regard deviations from scriptural teaching as heretical compared to those with a critical view of the Bible.
While specifics may vary, protecting central church teachings remains pertinent in a relativistic culture. But care should be taken to defend truth without illegitimate intolerance or lack of grace toward those deemed unorthodox.
Attributes of Heresy
What are some common traits that enable identifying heretical teachings?
- Contradicts clear biblical truths – Scriptural teaching on the nature of God, Christ, salvation, humanity, etc. establishes the bounds of orthodoxy.
- Denies a foundation stone of Christianity – Core doctrines like the Trinity, Jesus as God-man, substitutionary atonement, grace alone, etc. must be upheld.
- Adds to the gospel – Requires something more than Christ’s finished work for salvation.
- Detracts from Christ’s person and work – Diminishes Jesus’s deity, humanity, redemptive death and resurrection.
- Relies on extra-biblical revelation – Appeals to mystical experiences, prophecies, or subjective truths rather than Scripture.
- Speculates where Scripture is silent – Makes dogmatic claims without scriptural basis.
- Alters biblical interpretation rules – Uses faulty exegesis and hermeneutics.
- Perverts the biblical worldview – Imports foreign ideas or denies biblical truths about God, humanity, sin, etc.
- Leads to division and faction – Causes splintering rather than unity among Christians.
While not an exhaustive description, these traits help identify teachings that stray into heresy.
Dangers of Heresy
Heresy poses grave dangers both to the church and individual believers. Sound doctrine matters greatly for protecting the gospel and avoiding the pitfalls of false teaching.
Heresy harms the church by:
- Distorting the apostolic message
- Causing schisms and quarrels
- Spreading falsehood and deceit
- Turning people away from God’s truth
- Fostering ungodly living and immorality
Heresy harms individual believers by:
- Shipwrecking faith
- Contaminating minds and consciences
- Leading people astray into spiritual ruin
- Depriving them of God’s grace
- Enslaving them to legalistic bondage
Guarding against heresy is imperative for maintaining pure devotion to Christ and the integrity of the gospel message. Even minor doctrinal impurities can spread over time to infect larger church communities.
Scriptural Warrants for Confronting Heresy
The New Testament provides ample warrant for the church to exclude heresy and confront false teaching that threatens orthodox doctrine.
1 Corinthians 5:1-13 – Paul urges the Corinthians to expel the sexually immoral man from their fellowship.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – Believers are instructed to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, which implies separation.
Galatians 1:6-9 – Preaching a false gospel contrary to the apostles’ teaching warrants condemnation and exclusion.
1 Timothy 1:3-4 – Timothy is urged to command certain persons not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 – Preachers are called to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with patience when people will not endure sound doctrine.
Titus 1:10-13 – Elders must be able to silence those teaching what they ought not for dishonest gain.
2 John 7-11 – Warning believers against receiving or greeting those bringing false teachings so as not to share in their evil deeds.
These and other passages authorize church discipline for heretical teachings when necessary. The principle of protecting the flock from spiritual harm overrides tolerance for doctrinal deviance.
Church Policies Against Heresy
Dealing with heresy has involved a range of church policies over history, from tolerant engagement to swift suppression. Key approaches include:
- Dialogue – Seeking to persuade heretics through reasoned discourse and apologetics.
- Rebuke – Publicly exhorting heretics to recant and repent.
- Avoidance – Warning churches not to interact with or give audience to false teachers.
- Marginalization – Minimizing influence by excluding heretics from platforms.
- Deposition – Removing clergy who teach heresy from ministerial office.
- Excommunication – Expelling obstinate heretics from church membership.
- Suppression – Using political power to coerce obedience and forbid heretical assemblies.
More severe historic practices like persecution, imprisonment, and capital punishment contradict the gospel. Yet the church cannot avoid its mandate to maintain purity in doctrine and refute errors threatening orthodoxy.
Conclusion
In summary, heresy refers to any teaching that deviates from core tenets of the Christian faith in serious ways. It often introduces destructive doctrines that distort the Bible’s message and prove spiritually harmful. Throughout history, church leaders have made great efforts to define orthodoxy, confront heresies, and guard against false teachings for the protection of God’s people. Believers today must continue to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted to the saints amidst competing ideas and doctrines.