There are many words in common use that now get used in so many contexts that their meanings are rendered useless; and my theme of five hot-button words is one such example. One compliment that Christ gives the church in Ephesus is:
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. - Revelation 2:2
Jesus acknowledged that the Ephesian church was diligent in expelling false Christians and their lies. With a little wisdom it wouldn’t be too hard to figure out the kind of people to whom the Ephesian church gave the boot to: people who taught heretical and apostate education. However it is important to consider one commonality among all Christians and this includes church bodies and denominations is that nobody has it all right! Everyone’s theological education needs the occasional realignment now and then; in some cases the adjustment consists of a tweak while other times it is akin to replacing one’s break-pads on their vehicle. Everyone accepts doctrines that others disagree with and reject doctrines that others subscribe to; and in many cases the law of non-contradiction demands that at least one party be wrong. However even though someone might disagree with someone's theological view doesn’t necessarily mean apostasy is afoot; in the same way just because someone believes something that many would say is heretical doesn't mean that it is, even if it is wrong or counter to Scripture. What is the difference between holding to a wrong position and a heretical position? What is the difference between simply being an unbeliever and being an apostate? Merriam-Webster defines apostasy as a "renunciation (or abandonment of a previous loyalty) of a religious faith.”[i] Apostasy is the abandonment of a religious faith. The word abandonment condones action thus implying intention. An apostate is someone who intentionally rejects a religious faith. A heretic is one who subscribes to “an opinion or doctrine contrary to church dogma”[ii] Heresy is likewise the active adherence to a view that is contrary to church teaching.
Saint Augustine says in “...essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”[iii] Most people of all walks of life would be in agreement that in all things charity is an uncompromisable value. However regarding doctrines Augustine is simply saying that essential doctrines are likewise uncompromisable, but there is allowance for cordial disagreement on important but unessential doctrines. What is an essential and a non essential doctrine? There are three paradigms that would classify doctrines that are essential:
- The nature of sin: If sin separates us from eternity with God, then if God calls X a sin, to reject such a teaching is paramount to saying that X is good.
- The nature of God: Every religion paints a picture of the nature of God. If a system teaches that God is triune[iv] as Christianity does, then to argue that God is unitarian[v] is constructing a different profile of God.
- The nature of salvation: If a system argues that salvation is only in one way (cf. John 14:6) then to reject that teaching and offer up an alternative ‘way’ is renouncing the path to eternal life.
Rejections of correct but non-essential Christian teachings should be classified as wrong and perhaps internally inconsistent with Christianity, as would an adherence to conflicting doctrines. However to renounce any doctrine in any of the above paradigms would be apostasy; and to offer up alternative teachings than the ones taught in these paradigms would be heresy. So everyone has to be very careful when we spout out terms like heresy or apostasy; and call people heretics or apostates. Even though someone may be conflicted in every fiber of their being that a teaching is wrong it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is wrong; and even if it is wrong that doesn’t mean that it is heretical to adhere to it; or in the same way to reject a Biblical teaching would not necessarily constitute as apostate.
Moreover, the aforementioned definition refers to the abandonment of a religious faith thus it would be true that someone who abandons their faith in toto, e.g. Christianity to Islam *could* be classified a heretic; and if this same person teaches things contrary to Christian dogma they *might* be classified an apostate. However a heretical doctrinal subscription or a rejection of a church teaching also includes the abandonment of partial church teaching. Even though a conversion from one faith to another may be technically heretical and apostasy there must be an distinction made between total and partial heresy and apostasy. At the forefront the one who rejects Christianity and converts to Islam is no different than the one who was born and raised Islamic; they both disagree with the teaching of the Christian church and as a result they disassociate themselves from the entire system. However as damaging to a system of faith a conversion testimony away from that faith could be, a partial heresy and apostasy is much more damaging. To classify one’s self as Christian and undercut it by rejecting various teachings is a classification without a difference; they call themselves Christian but they are doing the same thing as the exChristian: they disagree with Scripture and adopt views that are in conflict with Biblical teaching. The only difference is the exChristian is upfront about it, whereas the alleged Christian is either willingly deceptive and or self-deceived about their allegiance to Christ.
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[iv] Triune Doctrine of God: The triune doctrine of God, known as ‘The Trinity’ or Mono Trinitarianism is a doctrine of the ontology of God.This teachings states that God is one being whose nature is comprised of three completely separate and distinct persons: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Each person is distinct from each other but each person is fully God.
[v] The Unitarian Doctrine of God: The unitarian doctrine of God, known as Mono Unitarianism rejects Mono Trinitarianism and believes that the Christian God is one person, The Father, who has presented himself in three major roles throughout history: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. In sum the Mono Unitarian believes that God is one person in one being. This teaching of course is one which the Mono Trinitarian rejects.
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