Template:Heresy
Heresy
Today, we are told that a heresy is an "adherence to a religious opinion contrary to church dogma" or a "dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice."
Certainly those definitions may apply, but to get a clearer view of the word as it appears in the Bible, we must look at the original Greek and the use of the word within the text.
We see this association in 1 Corinthians 11 with the word contentious and heretic[1] but is also connected with the idea of heresies[2] leading or bringing in division. Such division is evidently allowed so that we may see who is really approved to be a part of the Church or called out and who or how they should receive the services of its mission.
For a "religious opinion" to be "contrary to church dogma[3]" they would have to be opinions contrary to the teachings of Jesus. His teachings are only the "doctrines of Jesus", what He actually taught.
To suggest that a heresy of the Christian faith is a "dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice" can only be true if the dominant theory, opinions, or practices of the the members of a group are in conformity with the teachings of Jesus.
The doctrines of the Church can only be the Doctrines of Jesus because the Church established by Jesus was given no power nor exercising authority to alter, add to nor over rule His original doctrines. The Doctrines of men may or may not be in conformity with the Doctrines of Jesusbut when they are not within the context of what He taught then they are not the doctrines of His Church. There may be some overlap of these teachings but distinction between these two categories of doctrines is important which is why Paul preached Christ first.
The Church established be Jesus who was the Christ is by definition of the original term the ekklesia which means they are those who were called out by Jesus like Moses called out the Church in the wilderness who were the Levites who were to belong to God and not belong to others nor to their "world".
The term "church" in its most general sense can include a community of people consisting of a society of those who have been the "called out" of the world, appointed and in conformity to Christ's terms for his disciples and those who gather in those free assemblies according to the perfect law of liberty.
Those of whom God is writing upon their heart and mind will not easily be divided nor are they bound by contracts, covenants, and constitutions. Others who are eating of the Tree of knowledge will be divided into thousands of denominations because they will hold to the Doctrines of men rather than the Doctrines of Jesus.
This is why James talks about knowing by their works because they will follow the laws given by the God of creation from the beginning; they will follow the precepts and teachings offered by Christ and His followers and not the Doctrines of men. It is also why Jesus emphasized being a doer of the word.
The ideas of religion
Religion is not an institution it is something you do. Religion is not just an idea or ideology, but it is the fulfillment of our duty to God and our fellow man, which is to love our neighbor and our enemy as Christ loved us with service and sacrifice.
We see, in the verses of Titus 3, men associated with the word Heretic[1]. "Be careful to maintain good works ..." (Titus 3:8). But the heretic does the work of distracting. This Greek word for Heretic did not really mean division about interpretations or ideologies, but about divisions and schisms of the people from the Daily ministration and fellowship. Because Religion was a system of welfare, those who divided the people from that network of charity or undermined that Corban of Christ were heretics. This was such a serious matter, he was only given two admonitions. It is not unlike Dathan and Cora who were meted out decisive judgments for their division-causing tactics.
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick[1] after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." (Titus 3:9-11)
"But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies[2] among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." (1 Corinthians 11:16-19)
"They which are approved" are actively participants in good works for the daily ministration. Modern Christians often approve those who think and debate well of the doctrines important to their particular denominational leaders. The mere existence of the denominations is evidence to the divisions caused by these 'thinkers' and 'debaters'. And as these are distracted from the daily ministration, the law of God declares they are heretics until they repent to do the most important works, which are the 'greater works than these shall he do" Jesus declared would happen (John 14:12).
This word for heresy appears 9 times, but more often it is translated 'sect'.[4]
The idea of different sects or denominations is not about ideologies, but about the division of the natural love we are to have with all mankind. This includes Greek or Jew, Roman or Samaritan. Anyone who divides the people by any means is guilty of heresy[2] as we see it used at that time.
Of course Jesus caused trouble, but He was always trying to bring people together in righteousness. The Pharisees said He was a heretic and He was causing division. He was dividing the people from a Corban that was making the word of God to none effect and teaching them to return from such Covetous Practices back to the Righteousness that was of God when people cared for one another through Faith, Hope and Charity.
John the Baptist had called the people back to The Way, which was the way of Fervent Charity. It was this difference between Pure Religion and Public religion that would bring in the Christian conflict. There will always be debate, but the manner of that debate will likely cause division more than the topic itself.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 141 ~αἱρετικός~ hairetikos \@hahee-ret-ee-kos’\@ from the same as 140; adj AV-that is a heretic 1; 1
- 1) fitted or able to take or choose a thing
- 2) schismatic, factious, a follower of a false doctrine
- 3) heretic
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 139 ~αἵρεσις~ hairesis \@hah’-ee-res-is\@ from 138; n f AV-sect 5, heresy 4; 9
- 1) act of taking, capture: e.g. storming a city
- 2) choosing, choice
- 3) that which is chosen
- 4) a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party)
- 4a) of the Sadducees
- 4b) of the Pharisees
- 4c) of the Christians
- 5) dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims For Synonyms see entry 5916
- ↑ Dogma is a belief or set of beliefs that is accepted by the members of a group.
- ↑ Acts 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect <139> of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
- Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect <139> of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
- Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect <139> of the Nazarenes:
- Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy <139>, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
- Acts 26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect <139> of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
- Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect <139>, we know that every where it is spoken against.
- 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies <139> among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
- Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies <139>,
- 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies <139>, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.