heresy
heresy, in religion, especially in Christianity, beliefs or views held by a member of a church that contradict its orthodoxy, or core doctrines. It is distinguished from apostasy, which is a complete abandonment of faith that makes the apostate a deserter, or former member. Heresy is also distinguished from schism, which is a splitting of or from the church brought about by disputes over hierarchy or discipline, rather than over matters of doctrine. The heretic considers himself or herself not only a church member but, in a doctrinal controversy, the true believer; indeed, some persons originally labeled heretical were rehabilitated after once abhorred views become accepted.
The battle for doctrinal control of Christianity began with the declarations of St. Paul in the New Testament. In the religion's first three centuries, numerous sects, many arising from Gnosticism, were in conflict. The first Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), which addressed the challenge of Arianism, was among convocations at which a Christian orthodoxy was established.
Excommunication was the usual method of dealing with heretical individuals or small groups. The medieval church undertook military action (as against the Albigenses, in 1208) and extensive legal and punitive campaigns (such as the Inquisition) in striving to suppress large-scale heresy. The Protestant Reformation created new churches that at first campaigned against heresy from their own doctrinal bases; over time, however, the Roman Catholic church has remained the only Christian body that has continued with any frequency, on the basis of canon law, to prosecute heretics.
See also blasphemy.
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Apostasy
Aholah and Aholibahsymbolize Samaria’s and Jerusalem’s abandonment to idols. [O.T.: Ezekiel 23:4]
heretical sect; advocated Manichaean dualism. [Fr. Hist.: NCE, 53]
4th-century heretical sect; denied Christ’s divinity. [Christian Hist.: Brewer Note-Book, 43]
heretical group; always break eggs unlawfully at large end. [Br. Lit.: Gulliver’s Travels]
heretical Christian sect in 12th and 13th centuries; professed a neo-Manichaean dualism. [Christian Hist.: EB, II: 639]
Christian group in North Africa who broke with Catholicism (312). [Christian Hist.: EB, III: 618]
2nd- and 3rd-century Christian ascetic sect that retained a Jewish emphasis. [Christian Hist.: EB, III: 768]
doctrine declaring state is superior to the church in ecclesiastical affairs (1524–1543). [Christian Hist.: EB, III: 937]
Marian martyrs burnt at stake as heretics. [Br. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 1013]
heretical theological movement in Greco-Roman world of 2nd century. [Christian Hist.: EB, IV: 587]
Roman Catholic tribunal engaged in combating and suppressing heresy. [Christian Hist.: NCE, 1352]
unorthodox Roman Catholic movement of the 17th and 18th centuries led by Cornelius Jansen. [Christian Hist.: EB, V: 515]
(331–363) Roman emperor, educated as a Christian but renounced Christianity when he became emperor. [Rom. Hist.: Benét, 533]
in late medieval England, a name given to followers of unorthodox philosopher John Wycliffe. [Christian Hist.: EB, VI: 306]
appellation of any heretic, Jew or non-Jew. [Judaism: Wigoder, 417]
heretical Christian sect who questioned the divine and human nature of Jesus. [Christian Hist.: EB, VI: 1003]
2nd-century heretical Christian movement led by prophet Montanus. [Christian Hist.: EB, VI: 1012]
3rd-century Christian heresy led by Sabellius. [Christian Hist.: EB, VIII: 747]
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.