When Being Good Isn't Good Enough: 21 Days of GraceSample

A Lesson in Heresy

Heresy—doctrinal deviation from the fundamental truths taught by Scripture and the orthodox Christian church—has historically been a great problem among the people of God. It is a concern, and rightfully so, of faithful leaders of the church through the ages. Scripture says we are to strive to maintain the purity of the faith that was once and for all time revealed to us (Jude 3).

Peter wrote, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Pet. 2:1-2). 

Paul wrote to his young friend Timothy, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. . . . Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:1, 16). 

So the truth of Scripture is vitally important, and anything which deviates from that truth is heresy. You probably already knew that. But let me tell you something you may not know: Almost all heresy is, all things considered, a rather small aberration from biblical Christianity. In other words, heresy is not a total missing of the mark; it is, rather, a missing of the mark in one or two seemingly small areas. Someone has said that Satan will use ninety-nine parts truth to float one lie. That is true and that is usually what happens with heresy.

That brings me to a particular heresy which pertains to our discussion of freedom: Antinomianism. Coined by Luther during the Reformation, the word comes from two Greek words—anti (meaning “against”) and nomos (meaning “law”). Thus, antinomianism means “against the law.”

Now hear something very important: While the apostle Paul was not antinomian, he was very close to it. Just so, while the Reformation leaders were not antinomian, they were very close to it. Also, while the Christian faith is by no means antinomian, it is very close to it. 

This is all about freedom, and if you don’t see the radical nature of the freedom proclaimed in the Bible, you have missed the point of the Christian faith itself. It’s a matter of attitude and mindset. If we start with the belief that Christianity is a religious methodology to make people good or kind or loving, we will end with a set of rules and regulations. And those rules and regulations will continue to widen and broaden until the Christian faith becomes like the Pharisaic religion that Jesus detested. And then Jesus will have died in vain.