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Is Heresy A Sin?

Is Heresy A Sin?

Last updated on: March 13, 2025 at 9:42 am by Roger E. Olson

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Is Heresy A Sin? 2025-03-13T09:42:30-05:00 Roger E. Olson

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Is Heresy A Sin?

Is heresy a sin? Yes, no, maybe. Such an answer you expect from a theologian, right? I know.

What is heresy? Heresy is any teaching that is directly contrary to the stated doctrines of a religion. Since this is a blog for evangelical Christians, I will define heresy, for the purposes of this blog only, as teaching that is directly contrary to the clear teaching of the Bible and orthodox Christian doctrines as defined by evangelicals (broadly defined).

Usually, theologians make a distinction between heresy and heterodoxy. Heterodoxy is not quite as bad as heresy. Heterodoxy is a new opinion that SEEMS to go contrary to the beliefs of a Christian community but is not blatantly, directly contrary to them. Often, heterodoxy becomes heresy after a long inquisition of its biblical and traditional credentials. But not always.

The magazine Christianity Today indirectly declared open theism not a heresy but heterodox when the editors published an editorial saying the study and debate about it should continue among evangelicals (as opposed to declaring it beyond the pale).

Who is a “heretic?” Most theologians will say a heretic is someone who teaches doctrines or beliefs he or she knows are contrary to his or her community’s stated beliefs. Thus, there is really no such thing as an accidental heretic. A true heretic continues teaching what his or her community considers heresy even after being corrected and asked or told to stop teaching it.

Is heresy a sin? I begin with “no.” Not in and of itself. I do not believe God judges people by their beliefs alone.

But, moving on to “yes.” Sin is rooted in motives. If a person is using heresy to disrupt and divide the church, and that is his or her main motive (as opposed to a concern for truth), he or she is sinning. If a person’s main motive in promoting heresy is to gain power, yes, he or she is sinning. Arius, for example, seems to have wanted to overthrow the bishop of Alexandria (Alexander) and replace him. He used his heresy of Arianism to do that. He accused the bishop and other trinitarians of being polytheists.

Now, “maybe.” It’s often difficult to discern others’ motives and even individuals’ often have dual or complex motives. Was Arius really aware of his desire for power—as his primary motive? Was his motive in promoting what has come to be called “Arianism” sinful self-aggrandizement and/or to divide the church of Alexandria? Did he even know?

Generally speaking, unless the heretic’s motive is clearly wrong, sinful, I do not consider heresy sin. That doesn’t mean I think it should be tolerated. When it appears within a Christian community, it should be confronted. Why? Because truth matters. And God cares what we think about him.

Do liberal theologians sin? If they misrepresent and distort what conservatives believe and if they are motivated primarily by self-aggrandizement, yet. But, otherwise, no. Should liberal theology be tolerated within Christian communities just because it’s not sin? No.

*Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is no longer than about 100 words, is strictly on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links.*

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