This definition is helpful. It provides a framework to help you evaluate whether the teaching you don’t like is from a sheep that you disagree with or a wolf who needs to be ignored or rebuked or both. Let’s break down the definition a little more.

Occasionally, I’ll see a social media post about a Christian leader who is referred to as a “heretic” and who teaches “heresy.” But in reality, the Christian leader mentioned is not one who teaches heresy, but someone with whom the person who made the post has significant differences on secondary theological issues. In other words, anyone who makes this kind of social media post misunderstands what heresy means.

What is heresy? The best definition I’ve heard so far derives from Michael D. Williams, one of my Systematic Theology professors in seminary. He has a way of cutting through all the nonsense and getting straight to the point. And his definition of heresy is two words: “Damnable error.”

Damnable error. That’s heresy.

This definition is helpful. It provides a framework to help you evaluate whether the teaching you don’t like is from a sheep that you disagree with or a wolf who needs to be ignored or rebuked or both.

Let’s break down the definition a little more.

1. Damnable. This means teaching so erroneous that it could send you to hell upon death. So, arminianism, egalitarianism, and continuationism do not classify as heresy. Why? Because believing in these doctrines does not damn you. You might disagree with those who hold these convictions. You may even divide (divide as in not do ministry together in the same church, not divide as in shut off all communication with the person) because of it.

Read More