www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Levels of Heresy

I see levels of heresy. Many attempts are made to get a Heresy into the Church.
Hersesy 1 Would be to convice Christians that direct and clear commands can be ignored. For example it is supposedly OK to Murder, Commit Adultury, Abuse Drugs, Pimp Whores, etc. Abortion is a prime example of a failed Heresy 1. How cigarette addiction got accepted is beyond me though.

Heresey 2 is less severe but can lead to a heresy 1 getting by. Examples of Heresy 2 would be violence, porn, greed, etc slipping in.

Hersey 3 again less severe, but the open door to worse. There are Christian women who dress very provicative. There are numerous Christians that watch movies with violent and immoral themes.

If I thought about this enouh I could take this to subtle levels of say Heresy 5 or 6.

Here is the problem the Churches are businesses that need to in part worship the almighty dollar, so what is popular can be allowed over what is right. Small heresys can gain ground. We would be better off getting rid of our real estate expences and meeting in public parks than having to choose between worshiping Christ or the almighty dollar.
Even better if the church was more than just a Sunday activity for most people maybe there wouldn't be a funding problem.

(General question)

By what authority are heresies known? And if known and recognized as heresies by laymen, what is our duty?

Terry

From the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07256b.htm

It is our duty IMO to be aware of the subtle ways these heresys can creep in. In modern times the Church is a business and this makes money more important.

I was at an Orthodox business meeting last Sunday and there was a money shortage. One man very vocal said "we pay the priest too much money". The Church down the street allows this or that so new people can go there...
Be aware that modern society rewards those who sacrifice thier values like a devil buying souls. Again Be Aware.

Hersey is a knowing departure from orthodox belief, it is not to be confused with a departure from Godly practice, also called sin. A sinner is by no means also a heretic. Let's try for a
little clarity of thought here.

Edmac

I concure with Edmac. What you describe mainly is sinful conduct, which doens't Indicate Heretical beelif. One can hodl to all the Doctriens of the Chruch as true and be dispicable. Just as one can have th emost bizzarre and outrageous of beleifs, and be godly in ones Charecter.


As an example, an Orthodox man can chea ton his wife, view porn, steal money form others via embezzelment, and even have commited murder and mad eit look like an accedent.

He can lie with such effect that he is seldom detected, and be heaivly abusive to substances.

He is still no Heretic, dispite his many and great sins.

He is no Heretic, simly because h affirms the teachings of the Orthodox Church.

Now let us look at the Church of Jeuss CHrist of Latter-Day Saints. It is opbviosuly Heretical, from an Orthodox view.Therefore a Mormon is a Hertic. Yet we see a Mormon who prays often, visits the sick, is faithful to his wife ( Yes one, before the Polygamy jokes begin) and helps the needy. He is Honest, stalworth, and Kind, and even gors out of his way to help others. He genuinly seeks ot aid and comfort those in need.

Such a man is however stilla Heretic, sicne his beelifs do not accord wiht the teachings of the CHurch.


The same can apply to lesser Heretics, any of whim are tsil "Out there" in terms of beelif.Such as Modern adherats to DIspensaitonalism, or those who follow Pntecostal beelifs.

Heresy is not about ones behaviour, but ones beleifs.

Dear Zarove,

None of my business, but your post above indicates you may have had too much turkey yesterday. Please look after yourself.

Alex