QUESTION: What is Heresy?
What is Heresy?
SHORT ANSWER:
The word, “heresy” itself, only appears in the King James translation one time in Acts 24:14. It’s plural form, “heresies” occurs another three times in 1 Corinthians 11:19, Galatians 5:20, and 2 Peter 2:1. All the other occurrences of this same Greek word (“hairesis”) are translated as “sect”. (The NASB, another ‘formal translation’ follows the KJV closely, with only two verses translating the word as “factions” instead)(feel free to ask about the difference between formally equivalent and dynamically equivalent translations)
The Strong’s Concordance uses the following words in defining this greek word: “choice”, “a party”, “disunion”. Finally, Merriam Webster defines this generically as, “dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice”.
Taking this all into account at a high level, “heresy” would be any deviation from an accepted doctrine. Admittedly, this generic definition does not take into account human reality. That reality, and real world application, is that people disagree and not all those disagreements need be called “heresy”, nor are they worth fighting about. Your views, by mere definition of the term, may be heretical to me; however, mine could also heretical to you. So who’s right? And how do we decide? Sadly, our sinful condition, and pride, cause a lot of disagreement where none actually need be. We’ll deal with that more in the ‘Long Answer’.
The word, “heresy” itself, only appears in the King James translation one time in Acts 24:14. It’s plural form, “heresies” occurs another three times in 1 Corinthians 11:19, Galatians 5:20, and 2 Peter 2:1. All the other occurrences of this same Greek word (“hairesis”) are translated as “sect”. (The NASB, another ‘formal translation’ follows the KJV closely, with only two verses translating the word as “factions” instead)(feel free to ask about the difference between formally equivalent and dynamically equivalent translations)
The Strong’s Concordance uses the following words in defining this greek word: “choice”, “a party”, “disunion”. Finally, Merriam Webster defines this generically as, “dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice”.
Taking this all into account at a high level, “heresy” would be any deviation from an accepted doctrine. Admittedly, this generic definition does not take into account human reality. That reality, and real world application, is that people disagree and not all those disagreements need be called “heresy”, nor are they worth fighting about. Your views, by mere definition of the term, may be heretical to me; however, mine could also heretical to you. So who’s right? And how do we decide? Sadly, our sinful condition, and pride, cause a lot of disagreement where none actually need be. We’ll deal with that more in the ‘Long Answer’.
Heresy then, would be any teaching and/or practice
that deviates from a proper interpretation
of the Bible. This presumes of
course the existence of absolute, objective, and transcendent truth, that has
been communicated by our Creator to us, and is able to be understood. This heresy could also come from within or
without the Christian community.
LONG ANSWER:
Taking then from the definition we’re working from, let’s
talk about this more in depth. Heresy
again, would be any teaching and/or practice that deviates from a proper interpretation of the Bible.
This then begs many questions. Whose interpretation is correct? Who is qualified to decide? How much can we disagree? Is every disagreement heresy?
This then begs many questions. Whose interpretation is correct? Who is qualified to decide? How much can we disagree? Is every disagreement heresy?
Proper Interpretation, It’s Hard Work
The first thing we must say is that properly interpreting
can be hard work. To me, it is very
annoying to hear someone say, “it’s clear in the Bible that”, or the classic,
“it says what it says”. Well, it DOES
say what it says; however, many times those verses require work, minus hidden
agendas, pride, and presumptions, to get to the proper interpretation. I admit that some verses are easier to
interpret; however, there are others that good people disagree on. There are verses that Holy Spirit filled
believers disagree on. People may also
disagree on which verses are easier to interpret (“clearer”) and which are
not. So then, let us be patient with one
another, remain teachable, and be willing to acknowledge that we could be
wrong.
Secondly, Doctrine Matters
Do a search on all the times the word “doctrine”
(teaching, and proper interpretation) is used in the Bible (please do this and
read the verses). You’ll soon find that
the Bible writers considered a right doctrine an extremely important
thing. Indeed, how we live, and our
Christian practices will flow from the doctrines we hold to. A right doctrine also brings light on to what
is wrong doctrine, or “heresy”.
Exercise Wisdom
While doctrine is very important, but so is loving the
brethren. We must then take special care
to put at attitude of love and patience at the forefront of any doctrinal
discussions. We also MUST be careful not
to part fellowship over issues that are not dependent on salvation.
I have been literally yelled at because I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture event. I believe disagreement on that issue is not a reason for anyone to get upset with anyone else. If a person is truly saved, the timing of the rapture should be a secondary issue.
I would like to think that with enough study, and enough debate, we could one day reach a day when everyone agreed, and every was right. Since it is unlikely that day will come, we must deal in love and patience, and pray for wisdom.
I have seen churches that emphasize love, and shy away from doctrine. I have also seen churches that are obsessed with doctrine and turn away those that would dare to disagree on even the smallest points. Please notice that this is not an ‘either-or’ issue, it is ‘both-and’. In other words, doctrine AND love must be balanced carefully, and one not forsaken for the other.
When to Part Ways and What to do About It
I have been literally yelled at because I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture event. I believe disagreement on that issue is not a reason for anyone to get upset with anyone else. If a person is truly saved, the timing of the rapture should be a secondary issue.
I would like to think that with enough study, and enough debate, we could one day reach a day when everyone agreed, and every was right. Since it is unlikely that day will come, we must deal in love and patience, and pray for wisdom.
I have seen churches that emphasize love, and shy away from doctrine. I have also seen churches that are obsessed with doctrine and turn away those that would dare to disagree on even the smallest points. Please notice that this is not an ‘either-or’ issue, it is ‘both-and’. In other words, doctrine AND love must be balanced carefully, and one not forsaken for the other.
When to Part Ways and What to do About It
The Bible does indeed encourage separation on certain
things. We are not to accept anything
and everything that comes to us in the name of Christ or the Bible. So where do we draw the line? When do we call it heresy?
I believe the first line that must be drawn salvation. The Bible states that there is a way to be saved and have eternal life. If the Bible says we must repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ (his finished work), then that issue is not in debate. Thus, if someone comes along and says that Islam also leads to eternal life, that view must be called heresy. You might know someone who is Muslim, and they might be a nice person, and they should be treated with the respect you should show any other human being; however, their beliefs are NOT to influence ours as Christians. Groups or denominations that add works to salvation are also to be challenged.
So what about non-salvation issues? What other lines should be drawn? This is where Holy Spirit guidance and wisdom is key. Here I cannot give you a cookie-cutter, one size fits all, solution. Here, you’ll have to do your homework, put in the time, and make a prayed up decision.
For example, there is an interpretation of some verses put forth by some in the “Word-Faith Movement” that I personally qualify as heretical. On the other hand, I know some people who hold those views that claim to have put faith in Christ, and I believe they are real Christians. What do I do? Do I break off fellowship and contact? Or stay friends?
Each situation has its’ own context. Each situation contains its’ own individual, unique qualities. The Lord may lead me to have patience towards someone with these views, until they come to certain knowledge on their own. The Lord may also lead me to rebuke someone with these views, because they’re being hardheaded. Only the Lord knows which one of those things is the right one in each particular situation.
Finally…
The question was asked, “what is heresy?” I then proceeded to go a bit past that and talk about how it works in real life. I like to get right to the point of an issue, it’s how my mind works. I believe heresy is easy to define, and hard work out in real time. That is why I spent time on that.
Please also remember that you could be wrong, I could be wrong. How would I want someone to treat me? I can tell you I’ve been wrong about things. I might be wrong about my belief on the rapture and not realize it. Ever heard the phrase, “you don’t know, what you don’t know”? That is why doctrine, love, and patience must all work together in identifying heresy, and dealing then with it.
I believe the first line that must be drawn salvation. The Bible states that there is a way to be saved and have eternal life. If the Bible says we must repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ (his finished work), then that issue is not in debate. Thus, if someone comes along and says that Islam also leads to eternal life, that view must be called heresy. You might know someone who is Muslim, and they might be a nice person, and they should be treated with the respect you should show any other human being; however, their beliefs are NOT to influence ours as Christians. Groups or denominations that add works to salvation are also to be challenged.
So what about non-salvation issues? What other lines should be drawn? This is where Holy Spirit guidance and wisdom is key. Here I cannot give you a cookie-cutter, one size fits all, solution. Here, you’ll have to do your homework, put in the time, and make a prayed up decision.
For example, there is an interpretation of some verses put forth by some in the “Word-Faith Movement” that I personally qualify as heretical. On the other hand, I know some people who hold those views that claim to have put faith in Christ, and I believe they are real Christians. What do I do? Do I break off fellowship and contact? Or stay friends?
Each situation has its’ own context. Each situation contains its’ own individual, unique qualities. The Lord may lead me to have patience towards someone with these views, until they come to certain knowledge on their own. The Lord may also lead me to rebuke someone with these views, because they’re being hardheaded. Only the Lord knows which one of those things is the right one in each particular situation.
Finally…
The question was asked, “what is heresy?” I then proceeded to go a bit past that and talk about how it works in real life. I like to get right to the point of an issue, it’s how my mind works. I believe heresy is easy to define, and hard work out in real time. That is why I spent time on that.
Please also remember that you could be wrong, I could be wrong. How would I want someone to treat me? I can tell you I’ve been wrong about things. I might be wrong about my belief on the rapture and not realize it. Ever heard the phrase, “you don’t know, what you don’t know”? That is why doctrine, love, and patience must all work together in identifying heresy, and dealing then with it.
posted by I say, I say... at 6:34 PM
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