Posted on 07/24/2007 2:24:56 PM PDT by MarkBsnr
In 2 Peter 2:1–2, the apostle states, “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, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
The apostle accurately observed the spread of heresy in the first–century church, and his warning that false teachers would continue to arise can easily be seen in the growth of cults and pseudo–Christian religions in our time. Interestingly, the heresies that are popular today are simply variations of the same heresies that have arisen throughout the history of the Church. This article will briefly examine some of the most influential of these heresies, will list scriptures that refute the heresy, and will list some of the modern groups that continue to promote the heresies.
Judaizers — 1st Century Judaizers, or the Judaizing movements, is not a condemnation of Judaism or ethnic Jews. Instead, it has historically been the label for those who attempt to make observing the Mosaic Law a requirement for Christianity and salvation. The book of Acts refers to such people as “they of the circumcision” (Acts 10:45; 11:2), and the council at Jerusalem decisively ruled against them (Acts 15:23–29).
Despite this biblical ruling, Judaizing movements continue to grow in our time. These movements require such things as strict observance of the Sabbath on Saturday, mandatory tithing, observance of the Jewish feasts, and other regulations in order for a Christian to earn salvation.
Scriptural Refutation: Romans 3:24–28.
Modern Groups: Seventh-Day Adventists; followers of Herbert W. Armstrong.
Gnosticism — 1st and 2nd Centuries The Gnostics promoted three basic teachings: 1) matter is evil, and thus Jesus only appeared to be a man; 2) because the Bible teaches that God created matter, the God of the Old Testament Jews is an evil deity who is distinct from the New Testament God, Jesus Christ; and 3) ultimate Truth is a mystery that is available only to those who are initiated into the secret teachings and practices of the Gnostic groups.
Gnosticism has become popular in the latter half of the 20th century with the 1945 Egyptian discovery of the Nag Hammadi library, a collection of Gnostic writings. One of the most influential books in modern Gnosticism has been Elaine Pagel’s The Gnostic Gospels, an analysis of the Nag Hammadi documents. Modern Gnosticism is commonly found in syncretistic groups, which teach that Truth can be found by combining the beliefs and practices of numerous religions.
Scriptural Refutation: Genesis 1:4, 10, 18, 21, 25, 27; John 10:30; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 John 1:1.
Modern Groups: Primarily found in the New Age Movement.
Docetism — 1st – 4th Centuries The name is taken from the Greek word dokein = to seem. The docetics believed that the seeming humanity of Christ, particularly his suffering, were imaginary. They taught that the divine God cannot suffer, and thus, since Christ is divine, his suffering was an illusion to teach humans a valuable lesson about the illusion of matter. Docetism was an integral part of Gnosticism. The heresy was a major impetus for the Chalcedonian Definition of 451, which describes that Christ is one person with two natures: human and divine.
The heresy continues among modern groups that deny the reality of suffering.
Scriptural Refutation: John 1:1–3, 14; Philippians 2:6–8.
Modern Groups: Christian Science, Mind Sciences, the New Age Movement.
Origenism — 3rd Century The career of Origen is one of the more unusual in Christian history. He dedicated himself to defending attacks on Christianity from paganism, Judaism, and Christian heresies. His apologetic book, Against Celsus, remains a classic piece of Christian literature.
Despite his defense of orthodoxy, Origen developed several heretical doctrines that were eventually condemned in 553. His most notable deviant teachings involve the preexistence of human souls, the subordination of the Son to the Father, and universalism. Few groups currently adopt all of Origen’s teachings. Nonetheless, groups influenced by Joseph Smith believe in both the preexistence of souls and the essential subordination of the Son to the Father, and many other groups believe in both the preexistence of souls (usually in the form of reincarnation) and universalism.
Scriptural Refutation: Hebrews 9:27; John 10:30; Matthew 7:13–23; 8:11–12.
Modern Groups: Mormons, Liberal Christianity.
Dynamic Monarchianism / Sabellianism — 3rd Century Although the heresy was first taught in 190 by Theodotus of Byzantium, monarchianism was most notably promoted by Sabellius in the third century. Monarchianism denies the Trinity by teaching that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not separate persons. Instead, the monotheistic God (called a monad) progressively revealed Himself as the creator and lawgiver through the “office” of Father, as the redeemer through the office of Son, and as the source of grace through the office of Spirit.
Scriptural Refutation: John 3:16; 17:22–23; 1 John 5:7–14.
Modern Groups: Oneness Pentecostals.
Arianism — 4th Century Perhaps the most significant heresy faced by the Church, Arianism (named after Arius) taught that, as the Son of God, Christ was created by God the Father. Arius thus denied the Trinity by teaching that Jesus is less than fully divine. This heresy became extremely widespread, even being promoted by many bishops. It was condemned at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 (which proclaimed that Christ is fully divine), and at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 (which proclaimed that the Holy Spirit is divine). Arianism remains one of the most common heresies to afflict the Church. Almost all pseudo–Christian groups deny the full deity of Christ.
Scriptural Refutation: John 10:30; 1 John 5:7.
Modern Groups: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, the Unification Church.
Pelagianism — 5th Century Pelagius, a Welsh monk, taught that humanity does not inherit original sin, and that salvation is earned by following the example of Christ. Grace is not necessary; instead, humans overcome the sin they gradually develop by using God’s grace to assist them in perfecting themselves and thus earning salvation.
This heresy, along with Arianism, is endemic to almost all modern pseudo–Christian groups.
Scriptural Refutation: Romans 3:24–26; 5:11–21.
Modern Groups: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, followers of Herbert W. Armstrong.
Nestorianism and Mono-physitism — 5th Century Nestorius, bishop of Constantinople, taught that Mary bore only Jesus’ human nature in her womb, thus implicitly teaching that Christ was not divine while on earth. In an overreaction to Nestorius, the Monophysites taught that Christ was one person with his humanity and divinity fused into a single nature (the Greek roots of the word monophysite are mono = one, and physis = nature), thus implicitly teaching that Christ was neither fully human nor fully divine.
Nestorianism is implicit in those groups who deny the reality of matter. One of the most common forms of the monophysite heresy can be found in the New Age Movement, where many believe that Jesus was a man who developed his “Christ consciousness” and thus fully achieved his divinity.
Scriptural Refutation: Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:6–8.
Modern Groups: the New Age Movement, Christian Science.
Conclusion Heresy is not new to the Church. The book of Colossians is Paul’s response to the syncretistic heresies present in the 1st century church in Colossae. Colossians 1:15–20, known as the “Christ Hymn,” is one of the best responses to the heresies that attack the deity and work of Christ.
Christians are commanded by God to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). One of the most effective ways to contend for the faith is to know the various ways in which the faith is attacked, and to know the biblical response to these attacks.
I have seen a number of, usually more liberal, Christians, for instance, wander over to Origen or Pelagius or Nestor, often citing their own personal interpretation of Scripture as justification.
A LOT of so-called Christians really just like the Christian label and not the actual dogmas of Christianity. They believe whatever they fell is Christian and if you point out that their belief is actually heresy; a.) they did not know and b.) once they know they still won’t care.
Gnosticism is also present in many of the liberal mainline denominations.
Thanks for the post.
Good post. I think many of the early church patriarchs (Augustine, Polycarp, etc.) would not recognize many of the practices of todays churches including Roman Catholocism. As a side note, there is an interesting article entitled “What is Wordliness” posted by Banner of Truth which explains Paul’s battle with certain gnostics who attempted impose man’s standards of holiness (do not touch, do not taste-Colossions 2) on the first century church. That same tendancy is still alive among certain sects today.
As a Mormon, I more or less agree with this point.
Arianism — 4th Century Perhaps the most significant heresy faced by the Church, Arianism (named after Arius) taught that, as the Son of God, Christ was created by God the Father. Arius thus denied the Trinity by teaching that Jesus is less than fully divine.
I doubt many Mormons would agree that Jesus is less than fully divine.
Pelagianism — 5th Century Pelagius, a Welsh monk, taught that humanity does not inherit original sin, and that salvation is earned by following the example of Christ. Grace is not necessary; instead, humans overcome the sin they gradually develop by using God’s grace to assist them in perfecting themselves and thus earning salvation.
Mormonism teaches that Jesus Christ atoned for original sin; therefore, original sin is not inherited. That part I can agree with.
However, I would not say that salvation is "earned." It is true that we must follow the example of Jesus Christ; but it is only though God's grace that we may be perfected and receive the gift of eternal life. (Some have said that Mormons are "semi-Pelagians.")
I would give this post 1.75 out of 3 for its discussion of Mormonism. Not bad, considering how often Mormonism is mischaracterized on these threads.
Very good; I wanted information to be delivered, not attacks.
With regard to the point about Jesus’ divinity, would it be more accurate to represent LDS doctrine as: Jesus was a creation of God; Jesus is the Jehovah of the OT, the man/God of the new and is now fully divine?
We had a deacon in our parish in Oklahoma who was a Church History instructor. He like to say, “You can’t keep a good heresy down!”
There have been almost 2,000 years of Christianity, so every misunderstanding has already been around by now.
You’re always so reasonable, Logophile! Of course, Catholics believe Mormons are in error, and Mormons believe Catholics are in error, or we’d all believe one or the other. That doesn’t mean we can’t discuss our different beliefs in a pleasant and informative way.
Logophile: As a Mormon, I more or less agree with this point.
What is the Mormon definition of subordination of the Son to the Father? Do Mormons believe in reincarnation?
Logophile: Mormonism teaches that Jesus Christ atoned for original sin; therefore, original sin is not inherited. That part I can agree with.
Eastern Orthodox Christianity teaches that original sin is not inherited, but for a different reason than the one you give.
(1) Jesus was a creation of God;
Mormonism does not teach creation ex nihilo. We believe that the elements and all spirits are eternal, having neither a beginning nor an end. Creation is the act of organizing preexisting elements.
Thus we believe that Jesus is not a creation. He is eternal, without beginning or end.
What is unique about Mormonism is that it teaches that the spirits of all men are also without beginning or end.
(2) Jesus is the Jehovah of the OT,
Mormons would agree.
(3) the man/God of the [New Testament]
Yes.
(4) and is now fully divine?
Absolutely.
Thanks, Tax-chick. I have always found you to be reasonable, informative, and pleasant.
Yes, we can discuss our differences; we should not minimize those. At the same time, we should not exaggerate them either. It is important to recognize the similarities that do exist.
Not long ago, I attended a Roman Catholic mass with my in-laws. The service was obviously very different from an LDS sacrament meeting. Yet as I listened to the priest, I heard him say things that I recognized. The more I listened, the more familiar it sounded.
It has been my experience that when Christians read the Bible together, particularly the Gospels and Acts, we find much we can agree on. The more we delve into history, philosophy, and theology, the less we can agree. There is a lesson there, I think.
I think you're right, although I'm not sure how I'd word the lesson ... maybe it's "We're all gonna die!" :-).
I like to read the histories of persecuted Christians, because it reminds me that most of what we think is "important" really isn't.
Thanks for the post Mark.
**Modern Groups: Seventh-Day Adventists; followers of Herbert W. Armstrong. **
Glad to know this one.
Good quote!
Deacon John Donnelly, St. Benedict’s Church, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
** Yet as I listened to the priest, I heard him say things that I recognized. The more I listened, the more familiar it sounded.**
Find out more. Be on one of the Catholic ping lists.
bump
Heresies then and now: ancient Christian heresies practiced in modern times
The Rev. John Piper: an interesting look at "heresy vs. schism"
Pietism as an Ecclesiological Heresy
Arian Heresy Still Tempts, Says Cardinal Bertone (Mentions Pelagianism As Well)
Catholic Discussion] Church group stays faithful (to heresy!)
Where heresy and dissent abound [Minnesota]
Gnostic Gospels - the heresy entitled "Gnosticism."
The So-Called ‘Gospel’ of Judas: Unmasking an Ancient Heresy
I know it is not a heresy - but Arminianism is rampant in the church. I believe this is an aberration, is really bad theology. Charismatics, Methodists, Salvation Army, Nazarenes, for instance, hold that it is possible to lose “eternal life” through one’s own actions. The big question: what is the definition of “eternal?”
Basic logic tells me that this makes no sense. Which is it?
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