COMMON HERESIES
The word “heresy” comes from the Greek word αἵρεσις, meaning “choice.” Eventually the term became a pejorative for beliefs not accepted by one’s church. Given the plurality of viewpoints in the early Christian era, one man’s heresy is often another’s orthodox. For educational purposes, this page defines “heresy” as anything that’d be unacceptable to most churches of the American South, where Other Gospels is based.
Gnosticism
Complex cosmologies involving hidden knowledge. Common themes include an imperfect creator, personal revelation, and the search for spiritual reunion with the divine. Adherents pursue hidden knowledge, or gnosis as the faithful call it. Gnosticism spread rapidly throughout the Christian world, primarily under the Valentinian school.
Marcionism
A systematic theology that posits the God of the Hebrew Bible, although real, is inferior to the Father Jesus spoke of. Its proponents argue that Paul’s works were edited to promote the wrong god, and that their version of Luke was the original — and only — valid gospel. Marcionism flourished for centuries in the extremities of the Roman empire, though it struggled to penetrate the politically important churches in Rome.
Gnosis
Belief in divine secrets or spiritual insights. Note that gnosis is a broad term and can mean anything from “a personal knowledge of the almighty” to something as different as “the secret password needed for salvation.”
Platonism
Greek philosophy established by Plato, whose ideas were influential among theologians in antiquity. For the purposes of this page, those labeled “Platonist” exhibit unusual adherence to this philosophy, and consider Plato a Christian forebearer divinely inspired by God. Such thinkers quote Hellenistic literature like it’s scripture, and draw meaning from Pagan sources.
Neoplatonism
Greek philosophy that reinterprets Platonism in a mystical light. This philosophy was developed in response to Gnosticism, though it shares certain metaphysical ideas like the Monad and the soul’s journey.
Dualism
A distinction between spirit and matter, where matter is the inferior of the two.
Allegory
One who interprets scripture using an allegorical approach. Such theologians see biblical accounts as being multi-layered and offering various levels of understanding. This isn't just about reading passages in a metaphorical light, but rather building a multifaceted view of a given passage through different lenses and exegeses.
Docetism
The belief that Christ only appeared to have a physical body and that his suffering was an illusion. Why this happens and the way it works varies across communities. In Gnostic circles, this sometimes means Christ, the spirit, departs from Jesus, the man, at the cross. Others instead argue Jesus was fully divine and only appeared to suffer as a spiritual lesson to his followers.
Adoptionism
The idea that Jesus was a fully human but uniquely virtuous wisdom teacher who only later became divine. Advocates argue that he was elevated by God at a key event in his ministry, usually his baptism but sometimes instead his transfiguration, resurrection, or final ascent into heaven.
Apollinarianism
Apollinaris's idea that Jesus had a human body and soul, but was given a divine mind. This mind allowed Jesus to live a sinless life, carefully avoiding the corruption of his soul. Apollinaris argues that this mind was the Divine Logos itself.
Subordinationism
The belief that Jesus is subordinate to God the Father. This view introduces a hierarchical structure to the almighty and often involves God the Father creating or emanating Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Arianism
Popular subordinationist idea that Jesus was a created deity, and that he is not co-eternal with the Father. This bitter and sometimes violent controversy was the heresy that finally triggered the Council of Nicaea in 325.
Modalism
Positon that Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are different manifestations of the same, singular God. This theology states that the God of the Hebrew Bible becomes Jesus, who in turn becomes the Holy Spirit after his ascent.
Monarchianism
Teaching that God is one, not three. This view denies the Trinity and instead affirms that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a distinction without a difference.
Magic
The practice of magical powers, wonderworking, or spell casting. The word Magus means “magician,” a label given to the most divisive of these characters.
Syncretism
The idea that the believer should draw their beliefs from a diverse range of traditions. Syncretic thinkers argue that other religions are often partly right, and that one can incorporate their ideas into personal practice.
Montanism
Prophetic movement emphasizing novel spiritual insight over tradition. Tertullian eventually converts to this order after becoming disillusioned with the rigid institutionalism and lack of apocalyptic urgency of the church in Carthage. This charismatic church called itself The New Revelation and included several female phrophets over the centuries.
Works
Salvation by works, and not by faith through grace. Note that the specific works and criteria vary greatly among believers.
Universalism
The idea that all are saved in the end. Many, like Origen, even include the devil.
Recapitulation
Irenaeus’s idea that it was not the resurrection, but instead Christ’s entire life, that made salvation possible. His church believed that Jesus reversed the effects of Adam’s sin by living through each stage of human life, reuniting it with the almighty. This was why he insisted Jesus lived to age 50, since it was necessary he experience life as an old man for the elderly to be saved.
Theotokos
The elevation of Mary to “Mother of God.” These views are nuanced, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church today, but those labeled here go further and imply a salvivic element to Mary’s perpetual virginity.
Theosis
The idea that the Logos became flesh so that humans could become divine. This theology posits that human beings are increasingly deified as they follow in Christ's footsteps. The Eastern Orthodox Church still holds a version of this belief today.
Epektasis
Gregory’s idea that the soul is on a journey of eternal progression and continues to make spiritual progress after death. Adherents take an experiential approach to theology, performing rituals with the aim of feeling God's presence in hopes of drawing closer to spiritual unity.
Infant Damnation
The belief that the unbaptized go to hell, even newborns.
Chiliasm
Eschotology that Jesus would immenantly return to rule a physical kingdom on Earth for 1,000 years. Also known as Millennialism, this apocalyptic view posits a Messianic Age prior to the day of judgment.
Preexistent Souls
Origen’s idea that one’s soul has existed from the beginning of time, just like Christ.
Spiritual Bodies
The view that the believer’s body will be shed off in favor of a new, ethereal form after the second coming of Christ.
Traducianism
Tertullian's idea that the soul is a physical substance inherited from one’s parents, and not created by God.
Asceticism
The idea Christians are to withdraw from society, not have children, or otherwise eschew earlthy pleasures. At its most extreme, the practice may include severe fasts, prolonged social isolation, and other feats of willpower.
Feminism
Promotes women in leadership. Some even practice overtly feminist accounts like The Gospel of Mary.
Donatism
Schismatic belief that the clergy’s purity is required for their sacraments to have effect. This has the implication of damning those who were baptized by the wrong priests.
Antinomianism
The view that Christians have no moral obligations.
Expulsionism
Those who disagree are to be exhiled and forcibly removed from their homes.
Violence
Evangelism by the sword. Promoters of holy wars and weilders of the emperor’s power to punish heritics.