List of Christian heresies

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A heresy is a belief or doctrine that is considered to be false or erroneous by the mainstream Christian Church. Heresies have been a major source of division and conflict within the Christian Church throughout its history. The Church has responded to heresies in a variety of ways, including through theological debate, excommunication, and even violence. [1] This is a list of all Christian heresies that have been condemned by one or more Christian Church(es).

Contents

1st century

HeresyRejected byDescription
Docetism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief of Docetism holds that Jesus Christ did not have a real physical body, but only an apparent or illusory one. [2]

2nd century

Montanism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A movement that emphasizes the importance of prophecy and ecstatic experiences. [3]
Adoptionism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God from eternity, but was adopted by God at some point in his life. [4]
Universalism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that all people will eventually be saved. Universalists believe that God's love is so great that no one will be excluded from salvation. [5]
Valentinianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A Gnostic heresy that taught that the world was created by a series of emanations from the supreme being. Valentinians believed that salvation came from knowledge of the true nature of the universe.
Sabellianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three distinct persons, but are simply different manifestations of the same divine being. [6]
Gnosticism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A complex system of thought that teaches that the material world is evil and that salvation can be achieved through knowledge (gnosis). [7]
Marcionism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A heresy that arose in the 2nd century AD. Marcionists believed that the God of the Old Testament was a different god from the God of the New Testament. [8]
Monarchianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A heresy that taught that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all the same being. Monarchians were also known as Unitarians. [9]
Modalism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism Modalism is the belief that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three different modes of God, as opposed to a Trinitarian view of three distinct persons within the Godhead. [10]
Patripassianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that the Father and Son are not two distinct persons, and both God the Father and the Son suffered on the cross as Jesus. [11]
Psilanthropism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that Jesus is "merely human": and that he never became divine, or that he never existed prior to his birth as a man. [12]
Sethianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism Sethianism was a 2nd-century Gnostic movement that believed in a supreme God, Sophia, the Demiurge, and gnosis as the path to salvation. [13]
Basilideanism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism Basilideanism was a Gnostic Christian sect founded by Basilides of Alexandria. Basilidians believed that the material world was created by an evil demiurge and that the goal of salvation was to escape from this world and return to the spiritual realm. [14]

3rd century

Novatianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A movement that arose in response to the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. Novatians believed that Christians who had lapsed during the persecution could not be forgiven. [15]

4th century

Arianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that Jesus Christ is not fully divine, but is a created being. [16]
Donatism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A movement that arose in North Africa in the 4th century AD. Donatists believed that the Catholic Church had become corrupt and that only the Donatists were the true Christians. [17]
Apollinarianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that Jesus did not have a human mind or soul, but only a human body. [18]
Tritheism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that there are three gods, rather than one God in three persons. [19]
Collyridianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief is that the Trinity consists of the Father, Son, and Mary and that the Son results from the marital union between the other two. [20]
Binitarianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism Binitarianism is a Christian heresy that teaches that there are only two persons in the Godhead: the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is not considered to be a separate person, but rather an aspect of the Son or the Father. [21]
Subordinationism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A heresy that teaches that the Son and the Holy Spirit are not co-equal with the Father. Subordinationists believe that the Son and the Holy Spirit are subordinate to the Father in either nature, role, or both. [22]
Anomoeanism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism A heresy that taught that Jesus was not fully divine, but was a created being. Anomoeans also believed that Christ could not be like God because he lacked the quality of self-existence. [23]
Antidicomarians Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches Antidicomarians also called Dimoerites, were a Christian sect active from the 3rd to the 5th century who rejected the perpetual virginity of Mary. They were condemned by St. Epiphanius of Salamis in the 4th century. [24]

5th century

Nestorianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that Jesus Christ was two persons, the divine Son of God and the human Jesus of Nazareth. Nestorius said that the Virgin Mary is not the Mother of God (Theotokos) because she gave birth to the human part Jesus, not the divine Son of God, and called her Christotokos. Nestorianism was condemned as a heresy by the Council of Ephesus (431) [25]
Pelagianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that humans can be saved by their own efforts, without the need for God's grace. [26]
Eutychianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that Christ is in one nature and of two, with the humanity of Christ subsumed by the divinity. [27]
Monophysitism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism The belief that Christ has only one nature, which is divine. [28]
Miaphysitism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, mainline Protestantism The belief that Christ is fully divine and fully human, in one nature (physis). [29] [30]

6th century

Three Chapters Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches The "Three Chapters" were three "Nestorian" writings (The person and writings of Theodore of Mopsuestia, some writings of Theodoret of Cyrus, and an epistle by Ibas of Edessa to Maris). The Byzantine Emperor Justinian desired to reunite the Miaphysite and Chalcedonian Churches throughout Byzantium, and so anathematized the Three Chapters and commanded Byzantine bishops (which included at the time the Pope) to do so as well. Pope Vigilius however believed doing so would undermine the authority of Chalcedon, and so initially refused to do so. Eventually, after incarceration and deportation to Constantinople, he agreed to anathematize the Three Chapters and concur with the Emperor in December of 553. [31]

7th century

Iconoclasm Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches Iconoclasm was a movement that arose in the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century. Iconoclasts believed that the veneration of icons was idolatry. The iconoclastic controversy lasted for centuries until the Council of Nicaea II in 787 when the veneration of icons was officially restored. [32]
Monothelitism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, mainline Protestantism Monothelitism was a heresy that arose in the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century. Monothelites believed that Christ had only one will, which was divine. [33]
Paulicianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, mainline Protestantism Paulicianism was a heresy that arose in the 7th century. Paulicians believed that the material world is evil, and the only way to salvation is to reject it. [34]

12th century

Catharism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, mainline Protestantism Catharism was a Christian dualist or Gnostic movement between the 12th and 14th centuries which thrived in Southern Europe, particularly in northern Italy and southern France. [35]

15th Century

Stephanism Oriental Orthodox Churches The Stephanites were a sect in Ethiopia which rejected veneration of icons, saints, and angels. The sect was subject to suppression on account of its rejection of the legendary origins of the Solomonic Dynasty. It greatly resembled later Protestant movements in Europe. [36]

16th century

Socinianism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, mainline Protestantism A heresy that denied the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ. Socinians believed that Jesus was a human being who was inspired by God. [37]
Protestantism Catholic Church Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that broke away from the Catholic Church in the 16th century. The Catholic Church condemned Protestantism as a heresy on numerous occasions. In 1521, Pope Leo X issued the bull Exsurge Domine, which condemned 41 propositions from Martin Luther's writings. In 1530, the Council of Trent condemned 20 propositions from the Augsburg Confession, the foundational document of Lutheranism. And in 1563, the Council of Trent condemned 10 propositions from the Calvinist confession of faith. [38]

17th century

Jansenism Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, mainline Protestantism A religious movement within the Catholic Church that arose in the 17th century. It was named after Cornelius Jansen, a Dutch theologian who wrote a book called "Augustinus" that argued that human beings are incapable of saving themselves by their own efforts and that salvation is entirely a matter of God's grace. [39]
Quietism Catholic Church A religious movement within the Catholic Church which held that Christians should do nothing so as to not impede God's active will, and that men ought to remain silent. [40]

18th century

Febronianism Catholic Church A religious movement within the Catholic Church that sought to make Catholicism more relevant to local cultures, reduce the power of the Pope, and reunite with Protestant Churches. [41]

20th century

Americanism Catholic Church A political and religious outlook attributed to some American Catholics and denounced as heresy by the Holy See. [42]
Feeneyism Catholic Church The rejection of the doctrines of Baptism of desire and Baptism of blood, on the grounds that they grant justification but are not sufficient for salvation. Named for Leonard Feeney, a Jesuit priest from Boston. [43]
Modernism Catholic Church The belief that all doctrines are subject to change, and that doctrines ought to change depending on the time and location. Condemned by Pope Pius X in the encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis. [44]

Related Research Articles

Arianism is a Christological doctrine considered heretical by all mainstream branches of Christianity. It is first attributed to Arius, a Christian presbyter who preached and studied in Alexandria, Egypt. Arian theology holds that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was begotten by God the Father with the difference that the Son of God did not always exist but was begotten/made before time by God the Father; therefore, Jesus was not coeternal with God the Father, but nonetheless Jesus began to exist outside time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gnosticism</span> Early Christian and Jewish religious systems

Gnosticism is a collection of religious ideas and systems that coalesced in the late 1st century AD among Jewish and early Christian sects. These various groups emphasized personal spiritual knowledge (gnosis) above the proto-orthodox teachings, traditions, and authority of religious institutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irenaeus</span> 2nd-century Greek bishop and Doctor of the Church

Irenaeus was a Greek bishop noted for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in the southern regions of present-day France and, more widely, for the development of Christian theology by combating heterodox or Gnostic interpretations of Scripture as heresy and defining proto-orthodoxy. Originating from Smyrna, he had seen and heard the preaching of Polycarp, who in turn was said to have heard John the Evangelist, and thus was the last-known living connection with the Apostles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tertullian</span> Roman Christian theologian and writer (c. 155 – c. 220)

Tertullian was a prolific early Christian author from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. He was the first Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature. He was an early Christian apologist and a polemicist against heresy, including contemporary Christian Gnosticism. Tertullian has been called "the father of Latin Christianity", as well as "the founder of Western theology".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montanism</span> 2nd-century Christian movement

Montanism, known by its adherents as the New Prophecy, was an early Christian movement of the late 2nd century, later referred to by the name of its founder, Montanus. Montanism held views about the basic tenets of Christian theology similar to those of the wider Christian Church, but it was labelled a heresy for its belief in new prophetic figures. The prophetic movement called for a reliance on the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit and a more conservative personal ethic.

Monophysitism or monophysism is a Christology that states that in the person of the incarnated Word there was only one nature—the divine.

Chalcedonian Christianity is a term referring to the branches of Christianity that accept and uphold theological resolutions of the Council of Chalcedon, the fourth ecumenical council, held in 451. Chalcedonian Christianity accepts the Christological Definition of Chalcedon, a Christian doctrine concerning the union of two natures in one hypostasis of Jesus Christ, who is thus acknowledged as a single person (prosopon). Chalcedonian Christianity also accepts the Chalcedonian confirmation of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, thus acknowledging the commitment of Chalcedonism to Nicene Christianity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donatism</span> Christian sect

Donatism was a Christian sect leading to a schism in the Church, in the region of the Church of Carthage, from the fourth to the sixth centuries. Donatists argued that Christian clergy must be faultless for their ministry to be effective and their prayers and sacraments to be valid. Donatism had its roots in the long-established Christian community of the Roman province Africa Proconsularis and Mauretania Tingitana, in the persecutions of Christians under Diocletian. Named after the Berber Christian bishop Donatus Magnus, Donatism flourished during the fourth and fifth centuries. Donatism mainly spread among the indigenous Berber population, and Donatists were able to blend Christianity with many of the Berber local customs.

Orthodoxy is adherence to correct or accepted creeds, especially in religion.

Marcionism was an early Christian dualistic belief system that originated with the teachings of Marcion of Sinope in Rome around the year 144. Marcion was an early Christian theologian, evangelist, and an important figure in early Christianity. He was the son of a bishop of Sinope in Pontus. About the middle of the 2nd century (140–155) he traveled to Rome, where he joined the Syrian Gnostic Cerdo.

A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine, worship style and, sometimes, a founder. It is a secular and neutral term, generally used to denote any established Christian church. Unlike a cult or sect, a denomination is usually seen as part of the Christian religious mainstream. Most Christian denominations refer to themselves as churches, whereas some newer ones tend to interchangeably use the terms churches, assemblies, fellowships, etc. Divisions between one group and another are defined by authority and doctrine; issues such as the nature of Jesus, the authority of apostolic succession, biblical hermeneutics, theology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and papal primacy may separate one denomination from another. Groups of denominations—often sharing broadly similar beliefs, practices, and historical ties—are sometimes known as "branches of Christianity". These branches differ in many ways, especially through differences in practices and belief.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Christian theology:

Novatianism or Novationism was an early Christian sect devoted to the theologian Novatian that held a strict view that refused readmission to communion of lapsi. The Church of Rome declared the Novatianists heretical following the letters of Saint Cyprian of Carthage and Ambrose written against them. Novatianism survived until the 8th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esoteric Christianity</span> Mystical approach to Christianity

Esoteric Christianity is a mystical approach to Christianity which features "secret traditions" that require an initiation to learn or understand. The term esoteric was coined in the 17th century and derives from the Greek ἐσωτερικός.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Origenism</span> Christian theological beliefs

Origenism refers to a set of beliefs attributed to the Christian theologian Origen. The main principles of Origenism include allegorical interpretation of scripture, pre-existence, and subordinationism. Origen's thought was influenced by Philo the Jew, Platonism and Clement of Alexandria.

Heresy in Christianity denotes the formal denial or doubt of a core doctrine of the Christian faith as defined by one or more of the Christian churches.

Birger A. Pearson is an American scholar and professor studying early Christianity and Gnosticism. He currently holds the positions of Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Professor and Interim Director of the Religious Studies Program at the University of California, Berkeley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heresy</span> Belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established belief or customs

Heresy is any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, particularly the accepted beliefs or religious law of a religious organization. A heretic is a proponent of heresy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diversity in early Christian theology</span>

Traditionally in Christianity, orthodoxy and heresy have been viewed in relation to the "orthodoxy" as an authentic lineage of tradition. Other forms of Christianity were viewed as deviant streams of thought and therefore "heterodox", or heretical. This view was challenged by the publication of Walter Bauer's Rechtgläubigkeit und Ketzerei im ältesten Christentum in 1934. Bauer endeavored to rethink Early Christianity historically, independent from the views of the current church. He stated that the 2nd-century church was very diverse and included many "heretical" groups that had an equal claim to apostolic tradition. Bauer interpreted the struggle between the orthodox and heterodox to be the "mainstream" Church of Rome struggling to attain dominance. He presented Edessa and Egypt as places where the "orthodoxy" of Rome had little influence during the 2nd century. As he saw it, the theological thought of the "Orient" at the time would later be labeled "heresy". The response by modern scholars has been mixed. Some scholars clearly support Bauer's conclusions and others express concerns about his "attacking [of] orthodox sources with inquisitional zeal and exploiting to a nearly absurd extent the argument from silence." However, modern scholars have critiqued and updated Bauer's model.

References

  1. ↑ Grant, Robert McQueen (1993). Heresy and Criticism: The Search for Authenticity in Early Christian Literature. Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN   978-0-664-22168-3.
  2. ↑ "Docetism". Britannica. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  3. ↑ "Montanism". Montanism | History, Teachings, Heresy, Founder, & Facts | Britannica. Britannica. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  4. ↑ Macquarrie, John (2003). Christology Revisited. SCM Press. p. 63. ISBN   978-0-334-02930-4.
  5. ↑ "Universalism". Britannica. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  6. ↑ Henry, Wace. Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature. Delmarva Publications, Inc. p. 27.
  7. ↑ King, Karen L. (2003). What is Gnosticism?. Harvard University Press. ISBN   978-0-674-01762-7.
  8. ↑ Lieu, Judith (2015-03-26). Marcion and the Making of a Heretic. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-1-107-02904-0.
  9. ↑ "Monarchianism". Britannica. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  10. ↑ Hayes, Jerry L. (2015-09-30). Godhead Theology: Modalism, The Original Orthodoxy. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN   978-1-5169-8352-0.[ self-published source? ]
  11. ↑ Sarot, Marcel (1990). "Patripassianism, Theopaschitism and the Suffering of God. Some Historical and Systematic Considerations". Religious Studies. 26 (3): 363–375. doi:10.1017/S0034412500020527. ISSN   1469-901X. S2CID   170256904.
  12. ↑ Machen, J. Gresham (1987). The Virgin Birth of Christ. James Clarke & Co. pp. 22–36. ISBN   978-0-227-67630-1.
  13. ↑ Rasimus, Tuomas (2009-10-31). Paradise Reconsidered in Gnostic Mythmaking: Rethinking Sethianism in Light of the Ophite Evidence. BRILL. ISBN   978-90-474-2670-7.
  14. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Basilides". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  15. ↑ "Novatian and Novatianism". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  16. ↑ Williams, Rowan (2002-01-24). Arius: Heresy and Tradition. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4674-3175-0.
  17. ↑ "Donatist". Britannica. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  18. ↑ "Apollinarianism". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  19. ↑ "tritheism". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  20. ↑ "Collyridianism". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  21. ↑ Boyarin, Daniel (2010-11-24). Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Christianity. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 120. ISBN   978-0-8122-0384-4.
  22. ↑ "Subordinationism | Christianity | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  23. ↑ "Anomoean | Anomoean | Monophysite, Miaphysite, Dyophysite | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  24. ↑ Shipman, Andrew Jackson (1907). "Antidicomarianites"  . Catholic Encyclopedia . Vol. 1.
  25. ↑ Chesnut, Roberta C. (1978). "The Two Prosopa in Nestorius' "Bazaar of Heracleides"". The Journal of Theological Studies. 29 (2): 392–409. doi:10.1093/jts/XXIX.2.392. ISSN   0022-5185. JSTOR   23958267.
  26. ↑ "Pelagianism". Britannica. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  27. ↑ "Eutychianism". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  28. ↑ "Monophysite". Monophysite | Definition, History, & Beliefs | Britannica. Britannica. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  29. ↑ "miaphysitism". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary .
  30. ↑ "The Universal Church and Schisms". Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.
  31. ↑ "Three Chapters Controversy | Christianity | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  32. ↑ "Iconoclasm". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  33. ↑ "Monothelitism and Monothelites". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  34. ↑ "Paulicians". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  35. ↑ "Cathari | Christian sect | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  36. ↑ Dirshaye, Menberu (2005). "Estifanos". Dictionary of African Christian Biography. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  37. ↑ "Socinianism". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  38. ↑ "Protestantism | Definition, Beliefs, History, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  39. ↑ "Jansenism | Description, History, & Beliefs | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  40. ↑ "Coelestis Pastor". Papal Encyclicals. 20 November 1687. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  41. ↑ Phillips, Walter Alison (1911). "Febronianism"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 10 (11th ed.). pp. 230–231.
  42. ↑ "Americanism | Roman Catholicism | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  43. ↑ Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale (PDF) (in Latin). Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis. p. 100.
  44. ↑ "Pascendi Dominici Gregis". The Holy See. 8 September 1907. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
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