Heresies
Which heresy? Gnosticism
What did Gnostics believe?
i. That all matter was evil. This led them to deny the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, for that would mean that when he was conceived in Mary’s womb and was born, he took on sinful flesh
NB: Gnostics did not deny that Jesus Christ had lived, but they said that He only appeared to be a man like any other. This appearance, however, was an illusion
ii. That the God of the Old Testament was different to the God of the New Testament
iii. That beings known as ‘aeons’ who mediated between God and Man. Gnostics believed that Jesus was one such aeon
Why were they wrong?
i. Genesis 1: 31 records that God created matter and called it ‘good’. Also, St John records at the beginning of his gospel that ‘the Word became flesh’ – no equivocation: He became flesh ‘and dwelt among us’
ii. Gnostics argued that the God of the Old Testament was not the God of Jesus. They believed in Jesus despite the fact that He explicitly bound His ministry up with the Law of the Old Testament God whom they reject (not one jot…)
iii. The New Testament makes clear that there is only one mediator between God and Man – Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5)
Which heresy? Montanism
What did Montanists believe?
i. Montanus taught that his teachings were of greater importance than those of the Church
ii. Also that the second coming would take place in his home town of Phrygia
iii. And that he either was, or was the representative of, the Holy Spirit
Why was Montanus wrong?
i. St Paul makes it clear that it is the Church that is the ‘pillar of truth’, not any particular preacher (see 1 Tim 3: 14-15). Indeed, he has strong words to say to those Corinthians who start to favour one Christian leader over any other (see 1 Cor 1-4)
ii. Jesus said the when He came again, He would come like ‘a thief in the night’. Also, that no one – not even Jesus Himself – knew when the second coming would occur: that was the knowledge of God alone
iii. Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit was not a man, but the Spirit of God, which came at Pentecost
Which heresy? Sabellianism
What did Sabellianists believe?
i. That God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son were not distinct Persons in the Holy Trinity but that they were two aspects (or offices) of one Person
ii. That the Holy Trinity only existed in regards God’s relation to Mankind, not in objective reality
Why was it wrong?
i. The Bible teaches the existence of the Holy Trinity. For example, John 14:23, 14: 16-17; Galatians 4: 6; 1 John 3: 24
Which heresy? Arianism
What did Arians believe?
i. Arians believed that Jesus Christ was not God but that He was a creature of God, like you and I
Why was Arius wrong?
i. Jesus taught that He was God: Matt 10: 40, John 8: 58, John 10: 30-33
Which heresy? Pelagianism
What did Pelagians believe?
i . That we do not inherit Original Sin, rather, we become sinful by following the bad example of the community into which we are born
ii. That Jesus’ death on the cross did not bequeath to us righteousness, rather, that we become righteous by instruction and imitation of Christ
iii. That we can attain holiness by our own efforts because God’s grace, while being helpful, is not necessary
Why were they wrong?
i. Concerning Original Sin see 1 Cor 15: 22 where St Paul writes, 'Just as all die in Adam, so in Christ all will be brought to life.'
ii. The Gospels affirm the fact that Jesus' death on the cross does bequeath righteousness to us. For example, see Jesus' own words at the Last Supper (Matt 26: 26-29; Mark 14: 22-25, Luke 22: 14-18) where Jesus confirms that He is giving His body so that we might have forgiveness of our sins
iii. In his letter to the Ephesians, St Paul confirms that we are saved by the grace of God - not by our own effort: see Ephesians 2: 8
Which heresy? Semi–Pelagianism (a modified form of Pelagianism)
What did Semi – Pelagians believe?
i. That humans are still able to attain holiness by their own effort
ii. That once someone has entered a state of grace, he can remain there without any further effort.
iii. That effort alone can cause one to receive the grace of God
Why were they wrong?
i. For the necessity of grace: see above. Also, see John 6: 44, where Jesus warns that those who come to Him do so only if they are drawn by God
ii-iii. Can we lose our salvation? Yes, we can. See Romans 11: 20-21 where St Paul warns the Roman Christians not to fall in faith, lest they be 'cut off' by God
Which heresy? Nestorianism
What did Nestorians believe?
i. That Mary was not the Mother of God. Rather, she bore only the human Jesus in her womb (he called her Christotokos – Mother of Christ – rather than Theotokos – Mother of God to emphasise this)
Why were Nestorians wrong?
i. There is no evidence in Scripture that Jesus was born human being and received His divinity at a later point. The opposite is the case: in saying that Mary conceived Jesus when the Holy Spirit ‘overshadowed’ her, St Luke is making clear that His birth was not only natural (‘of a woman’) but supernatural
Which heresy? Monophysitism
What did Monophysites believe?
i. That Jesus was Jesus had only one nature – his human and divine natures being completely fused together
Why were Monophysites wrong?
i. In saying that Jesus had but one nature, they denied Him his full humanity and full divinity; but Jesus was like Man in every way – except sin, because He – as He Himself said – was God (e.g.: John 8: 58)
Which heresy? Iconoclasm
What did iconoclasts believe?
i. That it was sinful for images of God to be made
Why were they wrong?
ii. The Bible contains numerous examples of the Israelites making icons at the instruction of none other than God Himself. See this essay here
Which heresy? Catharism
What did Cathars believe?
i. Catharism was made up of many different sub groups. The one belief that all held in common, however, was the old Gnostic belief that matter was evil. One of the largest of the Catharists was the Albigensians. They believed that,
a. The spirit was created by God
b. The flesh was created by an evil spirit
c. Having children was a great evil
d. Fornication was acceptable
e. Extreme fasting and mortifications should be practised to keep the evil flesh in check
Why were they wrong?
a-c. Genesis records that God made Man in both spirit and flesh. The Bible records nowhere that sex is evil. Far from it – the Song of Songs celebrates erotic love
d. St Paul states clearly that fornication is wrong. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14 where he states that 'the body is not for sexual immorality'
Which heresy? Protestantism
What did Protestants believe?
i. The doctrine of sola scriptura, that is, that the Bible alone is the sole authority in matters of faith and conduct
ii. The doctrine of sola fide, that is, that Man is saved through faith alone.
Why were they wrong?
i. The Bible does not declare itself to be the sole authority for Christians. Quite the reverse in fact. For evidence, please click here.
ii. The Bible teaches that faith is of the utmost importance - Hebrews 10: 38, 11: 11:6. And it also teaches that faith must be backed up by good works - Matt 5: 16, 16:27 , 25: 34-36. Furthermore, it teaches explicitly that faith without good works is of no value - James 2: 24, 26
Nota Bene: The above answer treats Protestantism as a heresy of the past whereas in terms of numbers, its adherents form the second largest bloc of Christians today (out numbered only by the membership of the Catholic Church). In light of this, the second question could have been written What do Protestants believe? The reason why it has not been is that - as a result of Protestants individualising of the practise of the faith by asserting that every man has authority to interpret Scripture as he wishes, rather than have to submit to the authority of the Church - Protestant Christianity is now formed of many denominations, the beliefs of which in certain respects are widely divergent and which would be beyond the scope of this short summary to deal with.
Which heresy? Jansenism
What did Jansenists believe?
i. That Jesus did not die for all, but only the elect who would, at the end of time, be saved from damnation
Why was he wrong?
i. God wishes all Men to be saved (see 1 Tim 2: 3)
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