Whatever Happened To Heresy? Examples Of Heresy Today -- By: Larry Dixon

Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 19:2 (Summer 2010)
Article: Whatever Happened To Heresy? Examples Of Heresy Today
Author: Larry Dixon


Whatever Happened To Heresy? Examples Of Heresy Today

“Help! One of My Friends and Some of His Friends Seem to Be, How Shall I Say It?, Uh, Heretics!”

Larry Dixon1

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 a frequent speaker at various assemblies and Bible conferences. Larry has taught at Emmaus as an adjunct faculty member.

He drew a circle that shut me out
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win;
We drew a circle that took him in.

(Albert Camus)

I have carefully examined what the word heretic means, and I cannot make it mean more than this: a heretic is a man with whom you disagree (Sebastian Castellio, 1515-1563).

Introduction

In our last article we looked at a biblical approach in dealing with heretics. We noticed some factors contributing to the rise of heresy (a turning away from biblical authority, a wandering away from the truth, and perhaps even an openness to demonic influence).

We also saw the six aspects of the character of heretics as described in the Scriptures, concluding with a biblical prescription to minimize heretics. We noticed that the Word of God is not naive, but immensely

practical and straightforward in informing us how to deal with those who teach aberrant doctrine.

As promised, in this final installment we will look at several “sons of the church” who have either abandoned the faith or are close to doing so.

A Reluctance

To be honest, I must admit that naming names and pointing out friends or former friends who have fallen (or jumped) into heretical teaching gives me no pleasure. But they do not attempt to be anonymous. They have produced books, videos, and talks innumerable to advance their version of “biblical” Christianity on the rest of us.

If it is true that a public sin deserves a public rebuke, then how should we respond to those who have wandered from the faith, who have adopted a twisted form of Christianity, and who are using every available means to influence others in their false teaching? As Steve Brown says in his classic book No More Mr. Nice Guy, “God don’t make no wimps!” Let’s not be wimps when it comes to challenging these false teachers.

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