Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 18:2 (Winter 2009)
Article: Whatever Happened To Heresy? Heroes Or Heretics?—Two Classic examples
Author: Larry Dixon

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EMJ 18:2 (Winter 2009) p. 193

Whatever Happened To Heresy?
Heroes Or Heretics?—Two Classic examples

Larry Dixon

Larry Dixon is a graduate of Emmaus Bible College and Professor of Church History and Theology at Columbia International University Seminary and School of Missions. He is the author of numerous publications and is a frequent speaker at various assemblies and Bible conferences. Larry has taught at Emmaus as an adjunct faculty member. This is the second article in a series on heresies in the church.

“You’d be a beast to not hope universalism is true, but you’d be a fool to preach it.” (anonymous)

“I argue that universalism allows us to affirm the central claims of traditional orthodoxy in a way that eternal conscious torment does not.” (Gregory MacDonald)

“Jesus is Jehovah God’s highest creation!” (Your neighborhood Jehovah’s Witness)

Introduction

In our first article of this series, we stated that God has given us choice (a primary meaning of the word “heresy”). The “sweet spot on the curve” is to believe what the Word of God clearly teaches, recognizing our tendency to go our own way instead of God’s, especially in matters of truth. There are—and ought to be—consequences to wrongly chosen teachings that contradict God’s Word. Those who proclaim heretical views should be held accountable. All choices are not equally valid, or true, or worthy.

EMJ 18:2 (Winter 2009) p. 194

We laid out our three working assumptions as we began our study: (1) the functional authority of the Scriptures; (2) there is great confusion about the essentials versus the distinctives of the Christian faith; and (3) doctrinal truth has consequences. As we reflected on the fact that heresy means choice, we illustrated from the world of marketing the fact that sometimes we have too many choices.

False Teaching In The New Testament

Before we tackle two prominent early heretics, we must note that false teaching did not have its beginning outside the New Testament period, but within it. Two particular texts stand out in this regard.

We read in 2 Timothy 2:17-19 the following:

Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

We learn from this text that false teaching ...

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