The Importance of Sound Doctrine: Understanding Heresy

Friends, as evangelical Christians, we are called to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). This means we must understand and uphold biblical truth and recognize anything that deviates from it. Today, we will explore the concept of "heresy" – its origin, meaning, historical and modern usage, and how we, as believers, are to respond to it.

1. The Origin and Meaning of "Heresy"

The word "heresy" comes from the Greek word hairesis (αἵρεσις). In classical Greek, hairesis was a neutral term, simply meaning a "choice," "a course of action," or a "school of thought," "sect," or "party." For example, in Acts 26:5, Paul refers to his former life, stating, "According to the strictest party (hairesis) of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee" (ESV). Here, hairesis simply denotes a distinct religious group or sect.

However, in the New Testament, particularly in later epistles, the term began to take on a negative connotation. It evolved to describe divisive factions and doctrines that contradict essential Christian truth. It moved from describing a group to describing a destructive teaching that causes division and undermines fundamental biblical beliefs. Heresy, in its developed theological sense, refers to a belief or doctrine that is contrary to the fundamental truths of the Christian faith. It is a deviation from orthodox (right or sound) doctrine.

2. How Heresy Was and Is Used Today

Historically: 

In the early church, as the apostles established the foundational doctrines of Christianity, they encountered various false teachings. These teachings often challenged the person of Christ, the nature of God, or the path to salvation. The apostles and early church fathers used the term "heresy" to identify and condemn these deviations, thereby protecting the purity of the gospel and the unity of the church. For example, the early church battled heresies like Gnosticism, which denied the full humanity of Christ, and Arianism, which denied His full deity. These were deemed heretical because they attacked the very nature of God and the efficacy of Christ's atoning work.

Used Today by Evangelical Christians: 

Today, within evangelical Christianity, "heresy" still refers to teachings that deny or distort the essential, foundational doctrines of the faith. These are the doctrines that, if removed or altered, would fundamentally change the nature of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, sin, or salvation, thereby presenting a "different gospel" (Galatians 1:6-9).

Examples of essential doctrines include:

The deity of Christ (Jesus is fully God).

The humanity of Christ (Jesus is fully man).

The Trinity (One God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Salvation by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

The inerrancy and authority of Scripture.

Any teaching that directly contradicts these core truths is considered heretical by evangelical Christians. It's important to distinguish heresy from secondary or tertiary doctrines where believers might legitimately disagree (e.g., specific views on eschatology). Heresy strikes at the heart of what it means to be a Christian and to worship the one true God revealed in Scripture.

3. Wisdom from Christian Leaders

Throughout church history, faithful leaders have consistently warned against heresy:

Spurgeon wisely observed, "It is a remarkable fact that all the heresies which have arisen in the Christian Church have had a decided tendency to dishonor God and to flatter man." This highlights a common thread in false teaching: it often diminishes God's glory and elevates human ability or autonomy.

Tozer insightfully stated, "Heresy is not so much rejecting as selecting. The heretic simply selects the parts of the Scripture he wants to emphasize and lets the rest go." This reminds us that heresy often doesn't involve outright denial of Scripture but rather a selective interpretation that ignores or downplays inconvenient truths, leading to a distorted view of God's complete revelation.

Moody emphasized the importance of truth, stating, "A man can preach the truth. He can be perfectly sound in doctrine, but if there is no love in his heart going out to those whom he addresses, and if he is doing it only professionally, the apostle says he is only sounding brass." While not directly on heresy, Moody's words underscore that even sound doctrine, if preached without genuine love and a pure heart, misses a vital component of Christian ministry. This suggests that the defense against heresy must also be rooted in love for God and His people, not mere intellectual prowess.

4. Scripture References on Heresy and False Teaching

The New Testament provides clear warnings and instructions regarding false teaching and heresy:

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." This passage sternly warns against any teaching that distorts the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:6-9 (ESV)

"But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves." Peter explicitly speaks of "destructive heresies" that deny Christ. 2 Peter 2:1 (NLT)

"Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning." A "divisive person" (often translated "heretic") here is one whose teachings or actions cause serious division contrary to sound doctrine. Titus 3:10 (CSB)

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." This passage describes specific false teachings and their source. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 (ESV)

"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist... If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." This highlights the importance of discerning and separating from those who deny fundamental truths about Christ. 2 John 1:7-11 (ESV)

These scriptures make it clear that God takes false teaching seriously because it leads people away from His truth, distorts His character, and jeopardizes eternal souls.

5. Application for Believers Today

Understanding heresy is not merely an academic exercise; it has profound implications for our daily lives as evangelical Christians:

Cultivate Biblical Discernment: We are called to "test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV). This requires us to be diligent students of God's Word, so we can recognize truth from error. Don't simply accept every teaching you hear; compare it with Scripture. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, CSB).

Hold Fast to Essential Doctrines: Know the core truths of the Christian faith. These are the non-negotiables that define genuine Christianity. If a teaching contradicts these, it is a dangerous deviation.

Prioritize the Gospel: The gospel of Jesus Christ – His sinless life, sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and the offer of eternal life by grace through faith – is the central truth. Any message that undermines or adds to this gospel is a false gospel.

Love for God's Truth: Our rejection of heresy is not born out of arrogance but out of a deep love for God and His truth, and a love for people who might be led astray. We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Warning and Separation (when necessary): Scripture instructs us to warn those who are being deceived and, in cases of persistent, destructive heresy, to separate from those who promote it (Titus 3:10, Romans 16:17-18). This is not about being unloving but about protecting the flock from spiritual harm.

The Good News: Ultimately, the concern about heresy points to the preciousness of the true gospel. We were all lost in sin, alienated from God because of our rebellion against His holy commands. Our sin violated His perfect standard (Romans 3:23). But God, in His immense love and mercy, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross. He died, was buried, and rose again, conquering sin and death. Anyone who turns from their sin (repents) and places their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior receives forgiveness and the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23, John 3:16). This is the glorious truth we must protect and proclaim.

May we be diligent in studying God's Word, discerning in our beliefs, and unwavering in our commitment to the truth of the gospel, for His glory and the good of His church.