Recent political discussions have brought the word “heretic” into the public discourse. A recent political candidate for a U.S. Congressional office was called this word by a journalist. Before I continue, let me first be clear: a religious article, platform, venue, etc. is never a proper place for political discussion. Politicians are, by their very human nature, flawed the same way each of us are. They have their own views, beliefs, and interpretations of Scripture. Each Christian, when they go to the ballot box is blessed with the ability to choose their leaders. Our system of government is truly, I believe, one of our most incredible blessings from God, and we should use our knowledge of Scripture, rightly divided, to guide us to who would most closely mirror what we would elect given the creation and enforcement of laws. It would be, I believe, sinful to use a religious platform to endorse, or oppose any candidate or candidate’s party. When a religious word such as “heretic” is used, though it is important for Christians to understand the meaning and implication of such a word. It is a word which was used much more in previous ages, the 16th and 19th centuries mostly, and today does carry a negative meaning.
Merriam-Webster is always my go-to for defining a word in the simplest terms: “adherence to a religious opinion contrary to church dogma.” For discussion, avoiding the Catholic Church ideology of the term “dogma,” I shall merge the second definition listed: “dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice.” To create an example, if someone who claims to be a Christian says that it would be right with God go ignore biblical teachings and strike down opposition with the sword if they do not believe, it would make that person a heretic, spewing words of blasphemy.
The Bible also mentions heresy in two specific verses which we can gain further understanding. The first is in 2 Peter 2:1: “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”
In 2 Peter, heretics are described as false teachers. Anyone who knowingly teaches anything which is contrary to Christ is a heretic by this definition. The key is the term, “knowingly.” Take Apollos for example in Acts 18:25-28. He was speaking boldly about the things which were no longer relevant, making what he was preaching false. This did not make him a heretic. It just meant that he did not have all the information. When Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and told him what was wrong, he changed and allowed the truth to steer him to the right message. Anyone who teaches what is false, and is shown the truth and ignores it, or is too blinded by his own belief rather than Scripture is the heretic.
The second is Galatians 5:19: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions [Greek word, “hairesis,” which is also translated as heresy], envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul tells us in Galatians that heresy is a sinful thing which will condemn anyone partaking in it. This makes it a choice. Perhaps not in so obvious a way because of the strong delusion which sin creates, but a choice, nonetheless.
Heresy also does something to the church itself: it divides it. When heresy is taught, it spreads a false idea that God has multiple messages for man based on the preferences of man or may lead people to believe that what is God’s Word is not God’s Word, but the false interpretation is the actual truth. This creates divisions in the church. This happened in the Corinthian church as described in Paul’s first letter: “For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized” (1 Corinthians 11:18-19).
Paul goes on to condemn the divisions (Greek word: “schisma”) and called the divisions “factions” (Greek word: “hairesis”). Just before dictating these words, Paul asks, “Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13) The rhetorical answer is “no.” Christ is not divided, but instead, “There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). In preaching the truth, the heresies could then be exposed, and the heretics could then choose to follow their own blasphemous teachings, or to repent.
We should all strive to find the unity in Christ. Not to try and tailor the Word to meet our needs, or to create the god we wish to worship based on our own feelings and affinities. God is who He is, and He is everlasting, unchanging, and not custom made to suit us. Instead, we should strive to conform to His will and in that, we will find truth, peace, joy, and fulfillment.
Lance Byers