HERESY?

[GodsGrace]

Not sure where this should be...
the study of God seemed appropriate (maybe).

Every denomination has some teaching or doctrine that we would not agree with.

How would you explain the difference between an
incorrect teaching
and
a heretical teaching...?

IOW,,,when does an incorrect teaching become heretical?

Thanks.

 

[Randy Kluth]

Not sure where this should be...
the study of God seemed appropriate (maybe).

Every denomination has some teaching or doctrine that we would not agree with.

How would you explain the difference between an
incorrect teaching
and
a heretical teaching...?

IOW,,,when does an incorrect teaching become heretical?

Thanks.

Generally, we look to time-honored ecumenical church councils, where certain essential doctrines were discussed. The early Church Councils developed certain creeds which the Church in most all parts have generally agreed with. There has always been disputes over lesser matters like Baptism, Communion, and Church order--these things have more to do with tradition than with doctrine.

There have also been disputes on how spirituality should be demonstrated, to prove whether true holiness has been achieved. This enters into a discussion of how far God's grace goes, for example.

But the basic doctrines of the Church early focused on the oneness of God, on the fact Jesus was God, on the necessity of belief that Jesus is the source of our return to God, etc. And so, things like Trinitarianism and Christology are discussed, and formulated in words most all can sign up for.

Heresy is a direct attack on the beliefs that the Church has historically held to, apart from schismatic differences over tradition. For example, the historic Catholic Church would claim it is the true parent over all churches. But again, this is a conflict over tradition--not doctrine.

Protestants have long claimed that Scripture should be the rule over doctrine and practice, rather than historic tradition. And I would agree with this not just because I'm a Protestant, but also because the word of God is the basis of human judgment--not men.

Men wrote the Scriptures but they were called and anointed by God to represent His word. And I think all true Christians hold that the apostles were reliable. Men are fallible, and unless they are clearly called by God for some task I think what they say should always be scrutinized.

 

[Mantis]

I think we should be less critical of doctrine and be more focused on fulfilling Jesus’ commands. We need to love each other. The world hates its fellow man now.

 

[Randy Kluth]

I think we should be less critical of doctrine and be more focused on fulfilling Jesus’ commands. We need to love each other. The world hates its fellow man now.

I find that those who are more interested in ministry than in studying Scriptures might say this. And those who are more interested in studying Scriptures would disagree with those who put ministry ahead of study. The fact is, both kinds are needed, and we shouldn't be putting one against the other. We have different gifts, as the Spirit gifts us, and all of us are needed.

But yes, study of Scriptures and pushing doctrine can hurt ministry if it is not done properly. That's true. But let's not put criticizing doctrine in the general category of "unnecessary" or "interfering." Some of the best Christians I know were given by God to criticze liberal Christian beliefs and cultic Christian beliefs, liberating some from false or corrupt doctrines. It *is* necessary!

 

[amigo de christo]

I think we should be less critical of doctrine and be more focused on fulfilling Jesus’ commands. We need to love each other. The world hates its fellow man now.

We start letting in leaven and overlooking it for the sake of hugs and fellowship and we aint gonna have a church left .

 

[Mungo]

Here is a general definition from a Catholic dictionary. I say general because it is not specifically Catholic.

Heresy
"Commonly refers to a doctrinal belief held in opposition to the recognized standards of an established system of thought. Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers."

 

[Mantis]

We start letting in leaven and overlooking it for the sake of hugs and fellowship and we aint gonna have a church left .

Well if we knew the correct doctrine we would have one church with no denominations no?

 

[GaryAnderson]

Not sure where this should be...
the study of God seemed appropriate (maybe).

Every denomination has some teaching or doctrine that we would not agree with.

How would you explain the difference between an
incorrect teaching
and
a heretical teaching...?

IOW,,,when does an incorrect teaching become heretical?

Thanks.

Live and let live. I try not to be too militant with different views. Avoid when you can and engage when you see it reasonable.

 

[amigo de christo]

Well if we knew the correct doctrine we would have one church with no denominations no?

We would . We in the days of mass delusion and unity for inclusion .
Thus the lambs must now contend for the one true faith . Speaking of doctrine .
ALL WE NEED DO IS OPEN BIBLES . Stop letting men and so called scholars tell us we cant understand it .
All we ever had to do was learn the simple messages of Christ and of the apostels .
This may seem hard to believe to most folks , but the letters written by paul , james , john , peter and jude
were not written in a code that only scholars could learn and teach us , IT was WRIT TO SIMPLE CHURCH FOLKS .
Let us turn again those pages and get in that bible .

 

[amigo de christo]

Here is a general definition from a Catholic dictionary. I say general because it is not specifically Catholic.

Heresy
"Commonly refers to a doctrinal belief held in opposition to the recognized standards of an established system of thought. Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers."

Like praying to saints , to mary and to angels . That is HERESAY and dangerous doctrine .

 

[Enoch111]

IOW,,,when does an incorrect teaching become heretical?

When there is no effort and no desire to correct what is incorrect, admit it is incorrect, and get back on the right track. When heretics try to embed and entrench their false doctrines, and refuse to give them up, those teachings become heretical. And the Bible says that after the first and second admonition, the heretic must be rejected. Which would also mean removed from fellowship. The Gnostics went so far as to corrupt the Scriptures so that they could promote their heresies.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Here is a general definition from a Catholic dictionary. I say general because it is not specifically Catholic.

Heresy
"Commonly refers to a doctrinal belief held in opposition to the recognized standards of an established system of thought. Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers."

This would be very close to my definition as well, with the caveat that squabbles over minor issues might not fall under quite the same heading.

I would say, "Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the [primary or essential] authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers."

 

[MatthewG]

Hello Godgrace,

This is the Greek word for heresy.


139. hairesis ►
Strong's Concordance
hairesis: choice, opinion
Original Word: αἵρεσις, εως, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hairesis
Phonetic Spelling: (hah'-ee-res-is)
Definition: choice, opinion
Usage: a self-chosen opinion, a religious or philosophical sect, discord or contention.
HELPS Word-studies
139 haíresis (a feminine noun derived from 138/hairéomai, "personally select, choose") – properly, a personal (decisive) choice.

139 /haíresis ("a strong, distinctive opinion") is used in the NT of individual "parties (sects)" that operated within Judaism. The term stresses the personal aspect of choice – and hence how being a Sadducee (Ac 5:17) was sharply distinguished from being a Pharisee (Ac 15:5; 26:5).

[As a feminine noun, 139 (haíresis) highlights the subjective (individual) nature of a specific(divisive) opinion.]


I’m someone who believes that Jesus done came back already, that Satan and his demons have been defeated, sin has been taken care of though we still have this flesh; but belief in the Gospel of Christ sets us free of bondage to our flesh and now we have the spirit to live by. Hell has been done away with having been tossed in the lake of fire with Satan and his angels, the beast, false prophet. I believe that their will be people who enter into the kingdom of heaven who have faith and love for God and others, and their will be people outside the kingdom gates because of no faith or love.

Thank you for reading, I would be considered in heresy by most people standards who are deeply committed to their own subjectively seen views.

God bless,
Matthew G.

 

[GodsGrace]

Generally, we look to time-honored ecumenical church councils, where certain essential doctrines were discussed. The early Church Councils developed certain creeds which the Church in most all parts have generally agreed with. There has always been disputes over lesser matters like Baptism, Communion, and Church order--these things have more to do with tradition than with doctrine.

There have also been disputes on how spirituality should be demonstrated, to prove whether true holiness has been achieved. This enters into a discussion of how far God's grace goes, for example.

But the basic doctrines of the Church early focused on the oneness of God, on the fact Jesus was God, on the necessity of belief that Jesus is the source of our return to God, etc. And so, things like Trinitarianism and Christology are discussed, and formulated in words most all can sign up for.

Heresy is a direct attack on the beliefs that the Church has historically held to, apart from schismatic differences over tradition. For example, the historic Catholic Church would claim it is the true parent over all churches. But again, this is a conflict over tradition--not doctrine.

Protestants have long claimed that Scripture should be the rule over doctrine and practice, rather than historic tradition. And I would agree with this not just because I'm a Protestant, but also because the word of God is the basis of human judgment--not men.

Men wrote the Scriptures but they were called and anointed by God to represent His word. And I think all true Christians hold that the apostles were reliable. Men are fallible, and unless they are clearly called by God for some task I think what they say should always be scrutinized.

Thanks for such a well thought out reply RK.
Your last sentence reminds me of the Bereans in Acts 17:11.

I agree that a heretical teaching is more in line with basic Christian beliefs, as you've stated.

It's the definition of heresy that confuses me.

 

[GodsGrace]

I think we should be less critical of doctrine and be more focused on fulfilling Jesus’ commands. We need to love each other. The world hates its fellow man now.

We can do our best to fulfill Jesus' commands.
But we use this word heretical, and I'm not sure anymore as to what it means...

 

[GodsGrace]

Here is a general definition from a Catholic dictionary. I say general because it is not specifically Catholic.

Heresy
"Commonly refers to a doctrinal belief held in opposition to the recognized standards of an established system of thought. Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers."

Hi Mungo
This definition is causing my question.

Wouldn't this definition mean Every church/denomination is heretical in some way?

 

[GodsGrace]

Live and let live. I try not to be too militant with different views. Avoid when you can and engage when you see it reasonable.

When is it reasonable?

 

[GaryAnderson]

When is it reasonable?

So that’s basically up to you and your tolerance level. If you have high tolerance for a person who’s screaming in your face and being completely evil to you and calling you all kinds of names while claiming that HE is right …. Then God has blessed you with a high tolerance level.

 

[GodsGrace]

Like praying to saints , to mary and to angels . That is HERESAY and dangerous doctrine .

Not here to criticize any particular denomination.
Thanks.

 

[GodsGrace]

This would be very close to my definition as well, with the caveat that squabbles over minor issues might not fall under quite the same heading.

I would say, "Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the [primary or essential] authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers."

You just brought up another problem.

If it means at variance with the essential teaching of Any church, then it seems to me that Christianity can be twisted to mean whatever we want it to.

By "notably Christian", maybe you're referring to other religions?

That I'd agree with.