[The above quote is from a speech given by Jane Ellen Harrison. See below]
Humanity has arrived at a place in history where everyone has an opinion. The internet, social media, and instant news and commentary have made it possible for almost everyone to think he/she is an expert on any topic under discussion. The cacophony of voices makes it nearly impossible to sort truth from error. Yet we must attempt to know the truth if we are going to make sound judgments about matters of this life.[i]
In this article, I want to briefly explore what the Bible has to say about heresy. I am making available to you, the reader, the resources I used and what my research has led me to believe at this moment in time regarding the biblical view of heresy.
To begin, the term heresy has taken on a life of its own leading to wars, inquisitions, and much human suffering. Through the centuries since our Lord Jesus Christ walked on earth, many wrapped themselves in mantels of authority which Jesus clearly forbids of His followers.[ii] [See my articles on this website].[iii] [iv]
It is clear from the gospel accounts and epistles that the progress of illumination was going to be marked by a tug-of-war as the Body of Christ, the Church, sought to implement the revelation of God to man. Questions regarding which writers and manuscripts were God-breathed and how the canon should be interpreted became grist for conflict. The apostles themselves came under intense scrutiny. Divisions arose.[v] Heresy became the watchword of Christendom as men, one after another, claimed the authority to declare what is truth and to condemn all who did not agree with them.
Jane Ellen Harrison, a British linguist and scholar (1850 – 1928) had much to say about religion and heresy in general. In an address to the “Heretics” Society in Cambridge, she outlined her views of heresy.[vi] My purpose in this article is not to critique her speech. But what she said explains a lot about where society is today and how we got here. I have prepared a document in which I provide my critique of her speech.[vii]
So what does the Bible say about heresy? First, we need to examine the root meaning of the term found in the New Testament.[viii] The term, heresy, is not a translation but a transliteration of the Greek term [hairesis]. It refers to making a choice. To draw a conclusion. To form an opinion. We do this all the time. Sometimes our conclusions are right. Sometimes they are wrong. In our day, the majority of mankind believes there is no objective or absolute truth. Only subjective truth. All truth is relative.
But what we believe to be true determines our ethics. When there is no absolute truth, what remains is situational ethics. How we act, what we do, and the opinions we form, change with circumstances. What has come to be referred to as “the classical meaning of heresy”, i.e., that heresy is a falsehood or a lie, depends on the context. It also depends on what a person does based on that opinion. Another website provides a more balanced view of the term, heresy, as it is used today.[ix] But how does the popular view comport with the biblical meaning of heresy?
Luke, in the book of Acts, sheds light on the biblical view of heresy. Of the nine occurrences of the term in the New Testament, Luke uses it six times. Careful examination shows that he is using the term in its basic meaning. It is a belief or opinion held by an individual or group of individuals. The New American Standard Bible consistently translates the term in the book of Acts as a sect. Whether it is negative or positive must come from the immediate context. Heresy is a neutral term in the book of Acts in every instance. It merely refers to a group of people who hold the same opinions. It has become popular to substitute the term, church, with the term, community. We should avoid this because today, by definition, a community is a social construct. It is a gathering of people who hold the same opinions. This is a far cry short of the biblical concept of church.
It is when we observe the cognates of the term outside the book of Acts that we begin to see the negative side of heresy. Here is a list of the contexts where it is negative:
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.[x]
But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God. But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you.[xi]
This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.[xii]
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.[xiii]
So how does someone go from simply forming an opinion and making a choice based on that opinion to being a heretic? The classical conclusion is that they are teaching falsehood. But the Bible does not begin there. Here are the steps involved. We need to see them as outstanding and abiding truths not limited to a moment of time.
- Heresy is holding an opinion, even a contrary opinion to someone else’s opinion under the sun. It is not necessarily negative.
Heresy, making an opinion, becomes negative when it is merely the works of the flesh and not the Holy Spirit working in us through God’s Word. It is “of the flesh.”
- Heresy is holding an opinion and becomes negative when a person becomes contentious.
In one church where I served as pastor, there was an individual who told me the first time we met there would be no unanimous decisions in business meetings. He didn’t believe there should ever be unanimity in the church. Believe me. He was true to his word. At a Bible conference with a sister church, when the guest speaker saw the body language of this contentious man, even before he knew I was this man’s pastor, he said, “I pity that man’s pastor.”
- Hersey stems, not from knowing something, but from what we do with what we know.
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;[xiv]
- Heresy, holding an opinion, becomes negative when individuals begin to take sides causing dissension among the flock of God.
This does not mean that conflict itself is a sin or even that the conflict is always due to sin. We need to leave room for others to have a different view of matters of this life. That is what Paul meant when he said:
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.[xv]
- Heresy, holding an opinion, becomes negative when contentious individuals join together into factions.
They form parties and begin to exert their will upon others. This happens in families, neighborhoods, and political parties. Their language becomes brickbats to win arguments. Relationships are destroyed over disputes. Minor disputes become major. This was the situation on the island of Crete where Paul left Titus to encourage reconciliation. The state of affairs at that time comes down to us in the pejorative reference to Cretans.[xvi] There is confusion between the terms Cretans and Cretins. Both should be used wisely. Cretin refers to a medical condition and has nothing to do with Paul’s message to Titus. I mention Cretans here only to show the nature of heresy that was prevalent in Paul’s day.
This does not mean that we will be successful in avoiding disagreements and conflict in every relationship. Nor that we should alter what we believe to be true in order to get along. There are times when we have to take a stand. But we need to make every effort to use the tools that God gives each of us to be at peace with one another.
Consider the following:
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness[xvii], with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.[xviii]
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle[xix], showing every consideration[xx] for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.[xxi]
- Hersey becomes negative when we “become judges with evil motives.”[xxii]
James was referring to the practice of separating from others we consider beneath us. It is when an individual or group takes it upon themselves to judge others. Jesus warned against this.
“Do not judge lest you be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. “And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”[xxiii]
The negative particle in the first verse is not an absolute negation, but conditional. The term is used when the context explains the conditions to which it applies. We all make judgments. But we need to take care that we do not put ourselves in a position of judging others when we do not know what we are talking about or are arrogant because of what we think we know. There is ample teaching in Scripture on how to make sound judgments that do not cause damage to others.
- Heresy becomes negative when we do and say things to draw a following.
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.[xxiv]
- Heresy becomes negative when we seek to force others to agree with us.
Paul was very careful not to lord it over others. The Church at Corinth was offended when he wrote that he wanted to visit them but he did not. He explained why he did not go as planned.
But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.[xxv]
Note how careful he was when writing to Philemon.
but without your consent I did not want to do anything, that your goodness should not be as it were by compulsion, but of your own free will.[xxvi]
It seems there is nothing in life that has not become a source of controversy and division. In Paul’s day, one issue was eating meat sacrificed to idols. Concerning this, Paul wrote:
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this — not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin[xxvii] [emphasis mine]
There is much more that could be said about heresy. We live in a culture of divisions, conflicts, and individuals seeking to dominate and gain power over others. Democracy is devolving into road rage, power groups, and character assassination. The Body of Christ, the Church, needs to avoid this. The freedoms we once enjoyed are under attack. One of the causes—we must acknowledge this truth—individuals who name the name of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ but do not speak and act in ways that glorify Him, not only ruin the reputations of those they oppose but their own reputations as well. In fact, our Lord’s enemies are being given cause to blaspheme His dear name. Brethren, this ought not to be.
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.[xxviii]
…in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,[xxix]
There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.[xxx]
___________
[i] 1 Cor. 6:3.
[ii] Cf. Matt 20:5; Mk 10:42; Lk 22:25.
[iii] Let’s Talk About Leadership.
[v] 1 Cor 1:10-12.
[vi] Jane Ellen Harrison – Heresy and Humanity
[viii] See my word study on Heresy in the NT.
[ix] What is the definition of heresy?
[x] Gal 5:19-26.
[xi] 1 Cor 11:16-19.
[xii] Titus 3:8-11.
[xiii] 2 Peter 2:1-3.
[xiv] 1 Cor 8:1-2.
[xv] Rom 12:16-21.
[xvi] Titus 1:12.
[xvii] Prautes, An outward gentleness based upon an inner strength that comes from having a right relationship with God and being at peace with what He is doing in my life. [my definition]
[xviii] Eph 4:1-3.
[xix] Epieikes, Stop demanding the letter of the Law. [my definition].
[xx] Prautes, Same as above.
[xxi] Titus 3:1-7.
[xxii] Jas 2:1-5.
[xxiii] Matt 7:1-5.
[xxiv] 2 Peter 2:1.
[xxv] 2 Cor 1:23-24.
[xxvi] Philemon 14.
[xxvii] Rom 14:1-23.
[xxviii] Col 4:6.
[xxix] Titus 2:7-11.
[xxx] Prov 6:16-19.