As a student of church history and theology, I am amazed at the present revival and or renewal of old heretical views that were already investigated and condemned by the historic, orthodox, universal church.

By heretical, in the context of this article—I am referring to teachings that do not align with the clear teachings and accepted belief of Christian orthodoxy taught in Scripture as affirmed by the Bible-believing, historic, orthodox church. If only pastors would study some of the writings of the early church fathers who dealt with such things such as Arianism (see Athanasius and the Nicaean Creed) Pelagianism (See Augustine and the Council of Carthage) to name a few; there would be less ignorance of our historical, biblical theological development, and people would be less prone to being led away with error.

Saint Jude urges us to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered unto the saints (Jude 3), hence, there is a body of biblical doctrine and or truth the apostles referred to as "the faith" that encompasses basic biblical beliefs Christ followers should adhere to. (The apostle Paul also referred to this body of truth as "the pattern of sound words," the "deposit" and "sound doctrine" in his epistles—see 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus.)

Also, there have been cropped up new teachings that are out of line with clear biblical teaching that may also be counted as among the heretical teachings. The following is just a brief perusal of some of these old and new heresies. My objective is simply to motivate younger Christian leaders regarding the need to have discernment and stay true to the Scriptures.

The Old Heresies

Antinomianism read more