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The author manages to quote Scripture, which is more than these self-styled Bible teachers tend to do.
In the discussion below, the issue is traditional use of the word "heresy" vs. what the actual Greek word means. The author prefers the traditional use, which we think is in error, as we will explain.
The author manages to quote Scripture, which is more than these self-styled Bible teachers tend to do.
In the discussion below, the issue is traditional use of the word "heresy" vs. what the actual Greek word means. The author prefers the traditional use, which we think is in error, as we will explain.
We also note the author does not want any portion of her presentation used. Of course, this isn't possible, because it is intended to be read and to inform. Those are uses. Thus we will "use" her article to explore whether or not she has accurately related to us biblical truth. If such a "use" is prohibited, we apologize.
What exactly do we mean by heresy? To put it simply, in the context of Christianity, heresy is the opposite of orthodoxy. The word is used to describe serious theological errors. Be forewarned: Unrepentant heretics will not enjoy salvation. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 Paul called those who teach falsely deceivers and Satan’s servants: For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (Paul does not describe these men as false teachers. The verse before is:
The Spiritual Gift of Discernment
How are we to know if a person’s teaching is heretical? One way to know is to follow in the footsteps of the noble-minded Bereans in Acts 17:11 who exercised good judgment and spiritual discernment:
“…a Greek word signifying (1) a choice, (2) the opinion chosen, and (3) the sect holding the opinion. In the Acts of the Apostles (5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14 ; 26:5) it denotes a sect, without reference to its character.
Elsewhere, however, in the New Testament it has a different meaning attached to it. Paul ranks “heresies” with crimes and seditions (Gal. 5:20). (Let's quote the verse:
In Titus 3:10 a “heretical person” is one who follows his own self-willed “questions,” and who is to be avoided. (The author again deviates from the proper definition. Paul writes in Titus 3:9 the nature of the problem: Genealogies and arguments about the law. Such a person causes division, but is not necessarily engaging in heretical teaching.)
A person who teaches heresy is called a heretic. (In the Bible they are called false teachers [2Pe. 2:1] or even false apostles [2Co. 11:13] or teachers of false doctrine [1Ti. 1:3, 1Ti. 6:3]. Theologians and church tradition have rebranded these as heresy.)
Copyright June 29, 2022 by Marsha West for Christian Research Network. No one may use any part of this Research Paper without Marsha West’s express permission.
2Co. 11:12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
These were men who wanted to be held in equal regard. They were boasting of things, but we don't know what those things are. We don't know if they were teachers, engaging in heresy, or even that they were leaders in the Corinthian church. Paul doesn't say, and we shouldn't either.
This may be picking nits, but we think false claims about the Bible should be noted.)
(...)
The Spiritual Gift of Discernment
How are we to know if a person’s teaching is heretical? One way to know is to follow in the footsteps of the noble-minded Bereans in Acts 17:11 who exercised good judgment and spiritual discernment:
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.The word discernment means “to distinguish, to separate out by diligent search, to examine.” As we point out in our Research Paper on Discernment:
Christians who are spiritually discerning are able to properly distinguish between true and false teaching. Those with discernment have wisdom. Moreover, in the Bible we’re told that a true believer possesses the mind of Christ. “The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)According to Apologetics Index:
Discernment is to identify the true nature of a spirit, doctrine, practice, or group; to distinguish truth from error, extreme error from slight error, the divine from the human and the demonic. (This definition is correct. The previous definition does not properly regard the spiritual nature of the gift of discernment. Discernment is a spiritual gift, which means it is a Holy Spirit empowerment.
Further, wisdom is a different spiritual gift [1Co. 12:8] than discernment [1Co. 12:10]. The author wants to conflate wisdom and discernment, and she wants to blur the lines between those things and being knowledgeable about Scripture.)
Heresy is,“…a Greek word signifying (1) a choice, (2) the opinion chosen, and (3) the sect holding the opinion. In the Acts of the Apostles (5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14 ; 26:5) it denotes a sect, without reference to its character.
Elsewhere, however, in the New Testament it has a different meaning attached to it. Paul ranks “heresies” with crimes and seditions (Gal. 5:20). (Let's quote the verse:
Ga. 5:20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions...
The word is hairesis, which the author properly defines as a sect. Paul was describing the acts of the sinful nature [Ga. 5:19], that is, unholy, fleshly actions. This is not about false teaching, but rather, those who form cliques and cause division. That may involve false teaching, but the verse doesn't say.)
This word also denotes divisions or schisms in the church (1 Cor. 11:19). (The author swerves back into the proper definition.)
In Titus 3:10 a “heretical person” is one who follows his own self-willed “questions,” and who is to be avoided. (The author again deviates from the proper definition. Paul writes in Titus 3:9 the nature of the problem: Genealogies and arguments about the law. Such a person causes division, but is not necessarily engaging in heretical teaching.)
Heresies thus came to signify self-chosen doctrines not emanating from God (2 Pet. 2:1). – Source: Heresy, Easton Bible Dictionary (Let's quote the verse:
2Pe. 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Finally we have a verse that talks about false teachers. False teaching causes "destructive division" in the church and causes harm to the church [2Pe. 2:3]. They are arrogant [2Pe. 2:10], publicly immoral [2Pe. 2:13], reveling in their filth. These are not people who simply have a doctrinal problem, they are open and persistent sinners[2Pe. 2:14].)
A person who teaches heresy is called a heretic. (In the Bible they are called false teachers [2Pe. 2:1] or even false apostles [2Co. 11:13] or teachers of false doctrine [1Ti. 1:3, 1Ti. 6:3]. Theologians and church tradition have rebranded these as heresy.)
Copyright June 29, 2022 by Marsha West for Christian Research Network. No one may use any part of this Research Paper without Marsha West’s express permission.
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