Heresy and the Church
While beginning to read Colossians in my NLT Bible, I noticed a table entitled “The Colossian Heresy” and I am including it above.
First I want to define “heresy” and then the word “asceticism” so that we/I will have a better understanding.
Heresy, in this context, is defined by dictionary.com as:
1. Opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, esp. of a church or religious system.
2. The maintaining of such an opinion or doctrine.
3. Roman Catholic Church. The willful and persistent rejection of any article of faith by a baptized member of the church.
4. Any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.
The Bible Dictionary defines “heresy” as:
From a Greek word signifying (1) a choice, (2) the opinion chosen, and (3) the sect holding the opinion. In the Acts of the Apostles (5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14; 26:5) it denotes a sect, without reference to its character. Elsewhere, however, in the New Testament it has a different meaning attached to it. Paul ranks "heresies" with crimes and seditions (Gal. 5:20). This word also denotes divisions or schisms in the church (1 Cor. 11:19). In Titus 3:10 a "heretical person" is doctrines not emanating from God (2 Pet. 2:1).
My definition then is: an opinion that is not from God.
As for “asceticism” which is used in the above table, its definition according to dictionary.com is;
1. The manner of life, practices, or principles of an ascetic.
2. The doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.
3. Rigorous self-denial; extreme abstinence; austerity
I believe number 2 above, is the best definition as it relates to the table above.
So after defining these words and looking at the table again, I realize that heresies (opinions that are not from God) are alive and well in churches today, just as they were 2000 years ago.
Some examples are; the following of rituals in certain churches, when we now have Christ as our Savior. Another would be the belief by some churches, that Jesus is not God. Yet another example is not a church at all, but a book entitled, “The Secret” which states that we must have a secret knowledge in order to be perfect. Another example of modern-day heresy is combining of religions for mutual benefit. Some churches have allowed false doctrines into their churches because of pressure to conform to the world’s views. An example would be a Christian bible-believing church allowing another non-christian religion to use their facilities for meeting. These are just a few of the examples.
In conclusion, I believe we must review “Paul’s Answers” above, because they are God’s Answer’s to “the opinion’s that are not from God” and we must stand firm using the full armor of God, which includes the Word of God as truth.
Ephesians 6:12-13 (NIV) 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
May the shed blood of Jesus, remind us that we do nothing to deserve salvation and can do nothing to earn it. In Jesus Name, Amen.
