Do heretics go to heaven?

[MyCrows]

In case you or others are willing to interact with some of the more specific questions a bit, as no one else really has other than to say “if they were confronted with the creeds they would agree,” I’ve quoted two of them below for your consideration.

2. It depends on your definition of the theological differences, and if those can coexist with true faith. Apparent fruit, is not necessarily real fruit. All manner of legalism can produce apparent fruit. Heresy, is not an unfortunate by-product. It is also a fruit. Matthew 12:33-35

3. I don't believe he went to the cross a trinitarian, but I do believe he left as one. We can't prove the extent of what he was taught, but I think it's safe to say he didn't know less than the Roman centurion, who, after witnessing the events during the crucifixion, exclaimed, "truly this man was the Son of God." Mark 15:39

Also note that the thief went from reviling Christ, to humbly requesting, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Luke 23:42

What did he mean when he called Christ "Lord"? What kingdom did he refer to?

Jesus taught openly in the temple. John 18:20-21. He was crucified for the same so-called "blasphemy." It read on the cross above his head.

 

[Egoshev]

I don't believe he went to the cross a trinitarian, but I do believe he left as one.

It has been suggested, although historical verification is challenging, that there may have been hints or nascent ideas among some Second Temple Jews that could be interpreted as suggesting the possibility of more than one Hypostasis within the Divine, albeit not in a fully developed Trinitarian sense.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

2. It depends on your definition of the theological differences, and if those can coexist with true faith. Apparent fruit, is not necessarily real fruit. All manner of legalism can produce apparent fruit. Heresy, is not an unfortunate by-product. It is also a fruit. Matthew 12:33-35

3. I don't believe he went to the cross a trinitarian, but I do believe he left as one. We can't prove the extent of what he was taught, but I think it's safe to say he didn't know less than the Roman centurion, who, after witnessing the events during the crucifixion, exclaimed, "truly this man was the Son of God." Mark 15:39

Also note that the thief went from reviling Christ, to humbly requesting, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Luke 23:42

What did he mean when he called Christ "Lord"? What kingdom did he refer to?

Jesus taught openly in the temple. John 18:20-21. He was crucified for the same so-called "blasphemy." It read on the cross above his head.

I agree directionally with your answer for the third question. However, I can’t yet see how he would have left the cross a Trinitarian. Perhaps a Binitarian.

 

[Deleted member 13126]

It has been suggested, although historical verification is challenging, that there may have been hints or nascent ideas among some Second Temple Jews that could be interpreted as suggesting the possibility of more than one Hypostasis within the Divine, albeit not in a fully developed Trinitarian sense.

I’ve heard about this as well. Thinking about bringing this book with me in my trip to London, which is written on the topic:

Two Gods in Heaven

A book that challenges our most basic assumptions about Judeo-Christian monotheism

press.princeton.edu

 

[Deleted member 6112]

I really do believe that heretics can be saved because it's not doctrine that saves but Jesus. Of course, that absolutely does not mean that doctrine should be thrown out the window. Yet God has given each a measure of faith and if one is given the gift of understanding sound doctrine it should not be looked at as a matter of personal pride (as in like "we're right and you guys over there aren't, so maybe you should get some sense about you and actually read what's in the Bible) but humility in that the Holy Spirit has given us this understanding of Him and His character.

Amen.

A person isn't justified based on what he believes so much as who he trusts. Jesus is a person, and we are saved by faith in him.

Now, I don't think we can safely assume that someone who has been taught the truth but maintains a heretical view of who Jesus is is truly trusting in him. He doesn't know the true Jesus. As for folks who have a misunderstanding through infirmity, we ought to be more charitable.

 

[Egoshev]

I’ve heard about this as well. Thinking about bringing this book with me in my trip to London, which is written on the topic:

Two Gods in Heaven

A book that challenges our most basic assumptions about Judeo-Christian monotheism

press.princeton.edu

I'm expecting a summary and an opinion on the book

 

[MyCrows]

I agree directionally with your answer for the third question. However, I can’t yet see how he would have left the cross a Trinitarian. Perhaps a Binitarian.

Unless he realized his heart was changed to believe in his Lord by an unseen force. A force that was pure spirit, yet somehow one with this physical God-man that he was gazing at.

We can't know what his experience truly was though.