Heretical

Our word, "heresy," comes originally from the Greek hairesis which referred primarily to "choice." The word (in some form) occurs most famously in the Bible in Titus when Paul warns Titus to "Reject a factious man after a first and second warning" (Titus 3:10 NAS), translated in the King James Version as "heretic" (or "heretick") but as something like "a man that stirs up division" in other translations. Paul uses a similar term in 1 Corinthians 11:19 and Galatians 5:20, translated "heresies" in King James and something like "divisions" or "factions" in more modern versions. The idea, then, is one of personal choice. It refers primarily to positions taken as a matter of self-chosen opinion or that of a sect. (I so much wanted to use "sectual," but, alas, the word doesn't actually exist.) So the Bible has multiple warnings against taking positions defined by personal choice rather than ... what? Biblical truth? Sure, but how much of that is "personal choice"? "God's truth"? Sure, but I think we all agree that we can't all agree on what that is. "Historical orthodoxy"? Maybe better, but still ... perhaps you begin to see the problem. So perhaps we ought to try to eliminate the obvious.

Heresies have existed in the Church from the beginning. Indeed, much of the New Testament was written to counter such heresies, such divisions, such personal choices. Paul's first epistle to the church at Corinth dealt with division, sexual immorality, Christian liberty, complementarianism, the Lord's Supper, spiritual gifts, those who argued that resurrection was a myth, and more. His letter to Galatians took on those who argued for salvation by works. His letter to the Colossians dealt with the Gnostics with their "special knowledge." And so on. Lots of deviations from God's truth. So while we 21st century Christians may see plain "heresies" in the church today, be assured that they're not new. Deviation by personal or sectual (I just like the word) choice has always been the case. Gnosticism, Montanism, Docetism, Arianism, Marcionism, Pelagianism, and so on. Historical heresies. Deviations from God's truth.

The decline of truth among those who claim to be believers is not new. In fact, it is common and often hard to detect. The origin of these deviations is disturbing. John says they come "from us" (1 John 2:19). They can be identified because they "went out from us." They "left the beaten path," so to speak. John says we know the truth because we have the Spirit, but, of course, they claim the same, so objectively fighting it can be difficult. Why? Because the standard of truth in our case -- the Bible -- is not an acceptable standard to too many of us. So we can run into problems by taking Scripture in a personal way to mean this when it has historically always meant that but we're pretty sure we've figured out this "new and improved" approach and we "go out."

It's the same today. Within the church we have those who lean away from biblical truth. They lean toward "systemic racism" or "woke theology" or "the new sexual morality" that would include the concept of "gay Christians" or whatever else is new and "forward thinking." They will warn that you are on "the wrong side of history" and caution that "your view will end" and tell you theirs is a better way. Jesus warned about it (Matt 7:15-16). Paul predicted it (Acts 20:29-30). And we have two possible directions we can take on these things that are not the best options. One is to ignore it. When the church at Corinth ignored the sin in their midst, Paul was dismayed (1 Cor 5:1-2). Ignoring it won't make it better. The other is the opposite. "Here is the way!" some declare and then start picking targets and plinking away. "Well, that Christian leader isn't a Christian." Why? "Because he didn't vote the way I think he should have." Really? "And this guy is clearly a false teacher." Oh? Why? "Because he didn't say it the way he should have." And rather than seeking to restore people (Gal 6:1), we seek to cut them off ... at the neck. So ignoring it isn't right and neither is head-hunting.

We do need to be aware of wolves in sheep's clothing. (You know we get that idiom from Jesus Himself, don't you?) We need to watch from within. We need to stick to the truth, stand by the standard, and avoid personal interpretations -- "my truth" theology. The decline and fall of Israel in the Exodus came from within Israel in the Exodus, but keep in mind -- God always keeps a remant. We don't have to worry about being on "the wrong side of history" or "being left behind" when we stand on God's truth and God's Word following God's Spirit. We can count on being ridiculed, but that's not our problem, is it. When those within the church stand and declare to be good that which God's Word clearly declares to be sin, "you shall know them by their fruits" (Matt 7:16). When we are making "progress" by declaring to be true what Scripture calls false and false what God's Word declares to be true, we should know that it is not progress. And, dear readers, we ought to know our bibles well enough to recognize the difference.