Okay, there’s been a bit of controversy around here today about the meaning of the word “heresy.” I’m not writing this post to argue about the meaning of the word. I am simply going to define the term as we understand it and as the church has historically understood the term. I am shamelessly ripping off my former pastor’s words in an article he wrote for “Modern Reformation” magazine back in 2003. I think he sums it all up perfectly:
Heresy ‘is any teaching that directly contradicts the clear and direct witness of the Scriptures on a point of salvific importance.’ In other words, there may be teachings that are strange, such as Benny Hinn’s suggestion that before the Fall, Adam could fly and remain for hours underwater, or teachings that we may regard as clearly contrary to the biblical texts. But since they do not touch upon a key doctrine of God, human nature, Christ’s person and work, the Holy Spirit, or salvation, they may be erroneous, but they are not heretical.
~Dr. Michael Horton, “All About Heresy,” Modern Reformation 2003
He goes on to ask the question “Who decides?”
The answer is certain: the Scriptures.
Using this definition, here are some examples of heresy:
Pelagianism, Arianism, Appollinarianism, Nestorianism, Modalism, Monarchianism, Subordinationism, Gnosticism
Patriocentrism (or my new favorite term “theonomic patriarchalism”) is errant at its core. These teachings grievously twist the Scriptures. But you can still believe them and be a Christian. The same cannot be said for the heresies listed above.
