6 Christian Heresies That Aren't

Heresy is a big deal. In Western Christianity, heresy is a religious belief that has been formally denounced by any of the ecumenical councils recognized by the Catholic Church—conferences of theological experts from around the world that meet to settle issues of Church doctrine.

Throughout the history of the Christian Church, these councils have declared many beliefs heretical, and for good reason. Those beliefs which undermine the core doctrines of Christianity take believers far from the truth of God, and from the ability accurately know His nature. At their worst, these wrong beliefs could result in believers following what amounts to an entirely different religion, while still believing themselves to be adhering to good and true doctrine.

Some heresies, however, just aren’t that bad. The pursuit and elimination of heresy hasn’t always been a motivated by pure theology—history, culture, finances, and even grudges have sometimes played just as much a part. And sometimes, people simply, as they say, make a mountain out of a mole hill, turning a small error into a heresy when it could have been a teachable moment.

Protestantism

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Are you a Methodist? A Southern Baptist? Perhaps you attend a non-denominational church?

Well, according to the Council of Trent, held from 1545 to 1563, you’re a heretic.

The heretical belief here is that Protestant denominations deny the infallible authority of the Catholic Church, and hold the position that each individual is to interpret Scripture personally.

And this isn’t just a decree that’s relegated to the history books. As recent as the 1960s, Pope John XXIII declared that “What was, still is,” concerning the findings of the Council of Trent.

This world's most popular heresy affects more than 900 million Christians worldwide, and although most Catholics would never label individual Protestants formal heretics, the idea that Protestantism is heretical still stands.

So why isn’t this one so bad? Well, mostly because there is no real scriptural basis for this heresy. What is perceived to be the great error of Protestantism—sola scriptura, the idea that only the Bible should be used when forming theology—may actually be a strength. Acts 20:32 reads, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

It seems that the ideas of Protestantism are justified—not only in Acts, but throughout scripture. With verses like that to cast doubt on the protestant controversy, it’s unlikely that charges of heresy should bother the hearts and minds of Protestants.

Iconoclasm

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Condemned by the Second Council of Nicaea, Iconoclasm is the belief that icons—things like crosses, crucifixes, and religious images—should not be used, and those existing within the Church should be destroyed. The basis for this belief is a literal interpretation of the Ten Commandments, which forbid the worship of “graven images”.

Although this interpretation of scripture is problematic, it falls far short of heresy—there is simply nothing about this belief that fits the definition of heresy. If someone chooses to worship God in a way that does not include icons or images, this doesn’t impede that worship, and there is no scriptural basis for their excommunication.

What Iconoclasm does do, however, is challenge the authority of the Church, and this is likely where the true motivations behind these particular charges of heresy lie.

Overall, if you’re an iconoclast who isn’t into images, shrines, and figurines, you’re not so bad—don’t worry about those pesky heresy charges. And if you love your crucifix and awe-inspiring stained glass windows? That’s okay, too! These are simply different and equally valid modes of worship.

Semipelagianism

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Ah, Semipelagianism, the heresy that few can pronounce, and that fewer should worry about.

This heresy was condemned in 529 by the Council of Orange, and is the crime of believing that man has free will in the choice to follow God or not, and that upon that first effort by man, God aids and completes the work of salvation.

This issue touches on one of the most contentious theological battles within Christianity—Arminianism vs. Calvinism. While that particular divide is too complex to explore here, a part of the disagreement is on how far mankind’s free will truly extends. Calvinists believe that some are “elect,” chosen for heaven before birth. Arminians believe that one may choose God, or willfully not choose Him.

When scripture is consulted, this issue becomes confusing, with some passages indicating one extreme, and some, the other. Man’s free will and God’s absolutely sovereign, all-knowing nature are difficult to reconcile.

Because scholarly interpretation on this issue has yet to prove conclusively that the nature of salvation lies in one direction or the other—that it’s all God or all man—this charge of heresy rings hollow.

Patripassianism

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Condemned by the First Council of Nicaea, this is the belief that God the Father suffered when Christ suffered on the cross.

This belief is, in fact, flawed, because it includes it ignores the New Testament’s revelations concerning the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But to call it heresy is a bit of a stretch. Patripassianism does not contradict the core teachings of Christianity to say that God experiences emotions and sensations, including emotional suffering. It would not be incorrect to say that God suffered emotional or spiritual pain alongside his Son as Christ was nailed to the cross.

The nature of the Trinity is one of the most profound mysteries of the Bible—God is one divine being existing in three persons, but how this works is not clear to theologians. Until the day when we’re able to break the seals on this particular mystery and ascertain the truth, charges of Patripassianism simply don’t bear much weight.

Americanism

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If you’re very American, watch out. You might be a heretic!

Condemned by Pope Leo XIII, the heresy of Americanism is a set of beliefs purportedly held among American Catholics, which include endorsing the separation of church and state and individualistic thinking.

The European Catholic Church took an especially dim view of the separation of church and state embraced by many American priests and churchgoers, with Pope Leo XIII lamenting an American where the Church was “dissevered and divorced” from the government. This pope also expressed concern that Americans were becoming too culturally liberal, and that they should not be deciding doctrine for themselves rather than submitting to the authority and doctrine of the Vatican.

This accusation, besides being thoroughly denied by American Catholics, doesn’t point out anything that breaks from the core tenants of Christianity. Scripture, in fact, urges Christians to obey their governments, and to work out their faiths in an individualistic fashion.

This is one heresy that simply doesn’t fit in with ideas that are truly damaging to the body of Christ.

Triclavianism

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Of all the heresies on this list, Triclavianism is, perhaps, the most trivial.

This heresy, denounced by Pope Innocent III, is the belief that three nails were used to crucify Christ, rather than four, and that a Roman soldier pierced Christ’s left side rather than the right.

Pope Innocent III formally declared that four nails were used, and that Christ’s right side was pierced, and his proclamation was confirmed by the miracle of St. Francis Assissi, on whose body appeared the five wounds of Christ, including the spear wound on his right side.

Proclaiming something a heresy is serious business. It means that an idea is grievously injurious to the Church. It also has serious social connotations for those charged with heresy—it can be extremely damaging.

On this issue, scripture is silent. There is no number of nails specified. That should be answer enough as to whether Triclavianism is heresy, and whether the full weight of that word should be thrown against an individual.

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