Feb

2

Heterodoxy (Better than Heresy!)

February 2, 2008 |

Posted by joanied · Filed Under Christian Philosophy, Church History, Eschatology, Uncategorized 

I was doing more reading on the internet about Apocatastasis, Gregory of Nyssa, Universal Reconciliation and ended up reading about heterodoxy and I realized that my views can better be considered as heterodox opinions as opposed to heretical. That sounds better! I don’t want to be a heretic.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterodoxy

Eastern Orthodoxy

“Whenever Eastern Orthodoxy wants to classify something different, but not as different or thought to be as erroneous as heresy.”

Roman Catholicism

“Heterodoxy in the Roman Catholic Church refers to views that differ from strictly orthodox views, but retain sufficient faithfulness to the original doctrine to avoid heresy.”

Protestantism

“As with Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic usage, many Protestants such as Lutherans use the term heterodox to describe Christian teachings which are not in agreement with their understanding of scripture. No true Christian denomination knowingly embraces a fallacy, but instead truly believes that their interpretation of scriptures is orthodox. Thus, other Christian (Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant) denominations with different teachings which are not heretical are considered heterodox. The term heterodox is occasionally used by some Christians to refer to themselves when they are in disagreement with orthodox understandings, but voice this disagreement while still maintaining the overall value of the tradition. The heterodox Christian therefore remains in the tradition and attempts to stimulate constructive dialog around issues with which they disagree.”


Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Ruth Tucker on February 4, 2008 1:54 pm

    If you don’t want to be a heretic, how about a heresiarch, “a founder or leader of a heretical doctrine or movement.” I didn’t even know the term until I was doing some research on Eutyches, whom the Catholic Encyclopedia characterizes as a heresiarch. So, if you are going to delve into heresy, go all the way and get an “arch” at the end of your title!!! (:

  2. JoanieD on February 5, 2008 6:56 am

    Thanks, Ruth. I had never read about Eutyches. I see in that Catholic encyclopedia that at the end of his life: “Eutyches was also exiled. A letter of St. Leo (Ep. 134), written 15th April, 454, complains that Eutyches is still spreading his poison in banishment, and begs Marcian to transfer him to some more distant and lonely spot. The old man does not seem to have long survived.” The Church certainly had (has?)ways of silencing those it disagreed with!

    Joanie D.

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