Originally posted by smallbeans
Yikes, guys. The only things that are heretical are those things that are in opposition to the ecumenical creeds + Pelagianism and a few other heresies. The word "heresy" is very strong language. One's opinion on the identity of the man of sin is hardly heresy either way. The word "heresy" is used very loosely on these boards and it is unfortunate. People who deny the Trinity are heretics. People who deny that the Pope is the antichrist just simply disagree with the "historicist" approach to eschatology.
Its a bit more than that. That, in and of itslef, is a bit loose. I know mormons who can agree with most of early creeds, and many Roman Catholics who tout the Apsotles Creed.
Heresy, taken strictly among divines, is for some notorious, false, and perverse opinion, opposing and subverting the faith once delivered to the saints, as Jude says, or overthrowing the form of wholesome words, as Paul says. It may be rightly described: "Heresy is an erroneous or false opinion, repugnant to and subverting the doctrine of faith revealed in the Word as necessary to salvation; and obstinately maintained and perniciously adhered to by a professed Christian."
In other words -
- those who deny the deity of Christ are heretics.
- those who deny the Trinity are heretics.
- those who purport the New Persepctive on Paul, or the FV are heretics.
- those who deny justification by faith alone are heretics.
and like things....
Titus 3:10 is a great passage on that.
The Scriptures charge sin, perniciousness, and damnation upon them. Paul reckons them among those works of the flesh which shut persons out of the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:20-21). Peter calls them pernicious and damnable, and such as bring swift destruction; and, speaking of the authors of them, he says that their damnation slumbers not (2 Peter 2:1-3).
Heresies are compared in Scripture sometimes to gangrene or canker, 2 Timothy 2:17, "Their word will eat as doth a canker." The canker is an invading ulcer, creeping from joint to joint, corrupting one part after another till, at length, it eats out the very heart and life.
Jesus Christ and His apostles give special charges and caveats against them, to take heed and beware of them, which they never would have done had they not been dangerous. Mark 8:15, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." Matthew 7:15, "Beware of False Prophets." Philippians 3:2, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." 2 Peter 3:17, "Beware, lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness."
In the 1640's the ten chief "heresies" posted were:
1) The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament do not bind us Christians.
2) That God never loved one man more than another before the world, and that all the decrees are conditional.
3) That there is no original sin.
4) That the will of man is still free.
5) That the saints may fall totally and finally from grace.
6) That Christ died alike for all, yea, that his salvific virtue of His death extends to all the reprobates as well as the elect, yea, to the very devils as well as unto men.
7) That Jesus Christ came into the world not for satisfaction, but for publication; not to procure for us and to us the love of God, but only to be a glorious Publisher of the Gospel.
8) That God is not displeased at all if His children sin.
9) That the doctrine of repentance is a soul destroying doctrine.
10) That the souls of men are not immortal but mortal.
