In Christianity, what is the difference between HERESY and a DIFFERENCE OF OPINION?

Question

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Many Christian denominations refer to their competing denominations as heretical. Today I asked a question about Calvinist theology and was directed to a website that called Calvin a heretic.

What's the difference between a heretic and someone who simply holds an alternative viewpoint?

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Answer 1

It totally depends on the denomination and then on the specific interpretation of the individual. Some will be offended, some won't.





It's a wonder they agree on anything actually.

Answer 2

If you are a part of a group (i.e. a real member) that holds to a particular set of beliefs but you begin teaching doctrines that are contrary to those that are held by the others, then that is heresy. If, however, you are not a part of the group, then your contrary beliefs are merely differences of opinion. Heresy can be denomination specific (e.g. a Baptist claiming that believers' baptism is unBiblical) or it can be transdenominational (e.g. two groups claiming the same Christian heritage but one group being Arminian and the other being Calvinistic in theology with each claiming the other heretical.) But these days, we tend to be more charitable to other Christians groups, recognizing that they are Christian in most of their basic beliefs while being wrong on a few lesser issues.

Answer 3

All views are alternative. When you are in control of the religious hierarchy, you get to dictate what is heresy and what is not.



It's clear that many churches are hijacking the Bible and placing their own interpretations on top of it. There appear to be many teachings that are not supported in the Bible.



My Christian beliefs and Buddhist philosophy depends upon my personal judgments, not what someone else tells me that I should believe.



I've been called a heretic, but I've been called worse things.

Answer 4

Heresey, by my definition, is something that will keep a person out of heaven.



I'm not a Calvinist, but I would not call a Calvinist a heretic just for that.



I've met people who have called me a heretic because I'm not a Calvinist.



Most of my Pastor friends are Calvinists, but that does not stop us from working together. Godly Calvinists can work with non Calvinists in perfect harmony.



To deny the Deity of Jesus, that is heresy.



To deny the Virgin Birth, or deny the resurrection of Jesus, that is heresy.



The question of Calvinism is a "difference of opinion".



Here is a statement of faith which shows the essentials of Christianity. Any thing that varies from this would be called Heresy.



Statement of Faith



• We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.



• We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.



• We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.



• We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.



• We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.



• We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.



• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.



Of course the last line refers to real and genuine believers.



When you find some who aren't in spritual unity, there is a good chance that person isn't a real believer or possibly that person is just not a very mature Christian.



After all, none of us are perfect, we are all sinners.



If you have any more question, feel free to ask.



Pastor Art

Answer 5

Within Christianity, a heresy is any teaching that goes against the teachings of the Church as a corporate body. While the overwhelming majority of Christians agree as to the tenets of the Christian faith, there are some who choose to redefine it for themselves. Typically, when someone sets out to redefine Christianity, they'll use some portion or another of the bible to support their argument. If two disagree as to the meaning of scripture, there is an authority one can appeal to, and that is the Church. To suggest otherwise is to accept that anyone's interpretation of the bible is just as valid as any other's.



By way of analogy, someone can be a member of the Moose club, but cannot go out on their own a redefine the Moose club charter. They can form their own club with a different charter, but cannot retain the title of the Moose club.



WIth the exception of religion, anyone who does the same is liable to be sued.





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Answer 6

Usually heretics die at younger ages than those who simply have a difference of opinion.

Answer 7

Heresy is in the eye of the beholder.



Most of the brand names of the Christian and Judaic religions would consider the imperatives of the Bible to be heresy. What is found in the Bible is generally the diametric opposite to what is taught in organized religion.

Answer 8

Hearsay is some someone relaying what they were told by someone else.



A difference of opinion is one person thinking or believing something while another thinks or believes another about that same something.



A heretic is someone who teaches, preaches, believes or says something different from what the majority (or as in history, the royal/upper class) insists be be true.



You become a heretic when you formally hold an alternative viewpoint.

Answer 9

Jerry Falwell and I had differing opinions. You are a heretic.

Answer 10

Let me see if I can give you an example. Some say that Jesus was half God and half man. I say that Jesus was one hundred percent God in a fleshly form. That is a difference of opinion. Now to say that Jesus was not God, that is heresy.

Answer 11

If somebody comes up with doctrine that is contrary to the bible, then it should be considered false, even if the vast majority of Christians considered it to be true.

Answer 12

Simple Answer....!



(Matthew 24:35) The heaven and the earth shall pass away, = but My Words = shall not pass away.



..." HERESIES "....are exactly what JESUS... had to face ...from the Jewish Rulers of His time!



(Mark 7:5-to-9) Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, = Why do your disciples = not walk according to the tradition of the elders, = but eat loaves with unwashed hands?



(Mar 7:6) But He answered and said to them, = Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, = as it is written, = "This people honors Me with their lips, = but their heart is far from Me.



(Mar 7:7) However, they worship Me in vain, = teaching for doctrines = the commandments of men."



(Mar 7:8) For = laying aside the commandment of God, = you hold the tradition of men, the dippings of pots and cups. And many other such things you do.



(Mar 7:9) And He said to them, = Do you do well to set aside the commandment of God, = so that you may keep your own tradition?



"The Traditions of MEN = DENOMINATION-ALISMS !"



Thanks, RR

Answer 13

Having a "difference of opinion" or "alternative viewpoint" about God's Truth is NOT an excuse to keep sinning! God is very specific in His Word. God says what He means and means what He says!....This is what the Bible teaches........God is willing to forgive our sins if we repent of them, if we are sorry for them and if we are determined to change. But when one seals his conscience to never repent, he cannot be forgiven. Jesus states the problem clearly. "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation" (Mark 3:28–29).

Jesus said that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, if they repent of those sins. Yet the one unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is "to speak impiously or irreverently of (God or sacred things)" or "to speak evil of, slander; abuse." A parallel gospel account gives us a powerful example. "Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He [Jesus] healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, ‘Could this be the Son of David?’" (Matthew 12:22–23).

The crowds recognized that the prophesied Messiah, the Son of David, would be able to accomplish this miracle, but the Pharisees falsely asserted that Jesus used the power of Satan. "Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, ‘This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons’" (Matthew 12:24).

These accusers blasphemed—they spoke evil of God’s miraculous work through the Holy Spirit. Jesus warned them powerfully: "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:31–32).

The Apostle Paul’s warning to Christians: "If we sin WILLFULLY after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there NO LONGER remains a sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26).

Willful sin is a fully conscious and determined act and attitude to never repent of sin. The willful sinner is intractable. He or she has a conscience seared to do evil. This kind of sinner will never even entertain the thought of repenting and desiring to return to God’s way of life (cf. 1 Timothy 4:2). The incorrigibly wicked are not blinded like the rest of the world; they have "knowledge of the truth." They know the effect of Christ’s sacrifice, yet they profane it. Such ones face "a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 10:27–29).

Yes, there will be a fiery judgment—a lake of fire for those who persist in sinning willfully and who insult the Spirit of grace. Scripture also gives a warning to all who, as Christians, have been "partakers of the Holy Spirit." Remember that God gives the Holy Spirit to those "who OBEY Him" (Acts 5:32). If Christians willfully turn back to evil—if they fall away and turn to an attitude of disobedience—Scripture teaches that it is impossible to "renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame" (Hebrews 6:6).

Truly converted Christians are those to whom God has given the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). Even converted Christians will sin—but they are committed to repenting always. They need a repentant attitude of mind, always looking forward to changing their behavior and attitude, even if they feel too weak to do so just yet. God allows many to be blinded to the truth in this age, so they will not commit the unpardonable sin.

Answer 14

Isn't heresy a plank in the eye of the beholder?

Answer 15

The Bible is the final authority on all matters. If a teaching differs from the Bible, then that teaching is heresy.

Answer 16

Depends solely on ones own bias.

Answer 17

According to the leaders of organized religion, no difference at all. Its all in relative.

Answer 18

In Christianity? No difference whatsoever, LOL.

worst thought-police in history.

Answer 19

No difference.

Answer 20

In Christianity, a HERETIC is someone who has a DIFFERENCE OF OPINION from you . . .



I've read your profile, NH. You should know that.

Answer 21

A difference of opinion is what you see on R&S



Heresy is what you get stoned for....

Answer 22

Difference of opinion: when you say it.



Heresy: When someone you don't like says it.