Common Heresies in Protestant Evangelical Christianity

Here is a comprehensive summary of the most significant heresies in Protestant Evangelical Christianity:

Introduction

Heresy in Christianity refers to beliefs or practices that contradict core Christian doctrines. Throughout history, various heresies have emerged within Protestant Evangelical Christianity, challenging orthodox teachings and sometimes gaining widespread acceptance. This article examines some of the most impactful and prevalent heresies that have affected Evangelical theology and practice.

Historical Context

To understand modern Evangelical heresies, it’s important to recognize that many echo ancient heresies addressed by early church councils. The desire to say something new in theology often leads to recycling old errors[5]. Additionally, the Protestant emphasis on individual interpretation of Scripture has sometimes led to doctrinal deviations[3].

Major Categories of Evangelical Heresies

1. Christological Heresies

• Arianism: The belief that Jesus was created by God and is not eternal or fully divine. This ancient heresy has resurfaced in various forms among some Evangelicals[1][5].

• Adoptionism: The idea that Jesus was born human and later adopted as God’s Son, denying His eternal divinity[1].

• Docetism: The teaching that Jesus only appeared to be human but didn’t have a real physical body[6].

2. Trinitarian Heresies

• Modalism: The belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not distinct persons but different modes of God’s activity[1].

• Tritheism: An overemphasis on the distinctness of the Trinity that effectively creates three separate gods[3].

3. Soteriological Heresies

• Pelagianism: The teaching that humans can earn salvation through good works without divine grace[6][8].

• Semi-Pelagianism: A softer form that suggests humans can initiate the process of salvation[3].

• Universalism: The belief that all people will eventually be saved, regardless of their faith[1].

4. Pneumatological Heresies

• Denial of the Holy Spirit’s Personhood: Viewing the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force rather than a divine person[2].

5. Bibliology Heresies

• Extreme Inerrancy: An overly rigid view of biblical inerrancy that ignores context and genre[7].

• Individualistic Interpretation: The belief that personal interpretation of Scripture trumps church tradition and scholarly consensus[10].

6. Ecclesiological Heresies

• Rejection of Church Authority: Denying the role of the church in interpreting Scripture and exercising discipline[10].

• Prosperity Gospel: Teaching that faith in God guarantees health, wealth, and success[2].

7. Anthropological Heresies

• Denial of Original Sin: Rejecting the doctrine of inherited sinfulness from Adam[3].

• Gnosticism: Emphasizing secret knowledge and denigrating the physical world[6].

Factors Contributing to Heretical Beliefs

1. Biblical Illiteracy: Lack of comprehensive knowledge of Scripture[2][7].

2. Rejection of Creeds and Confessions: Dismissing historical formulations of orthodox doctrine[10].

3. Cultural Accommodation: Adapting theology to fit contemporary social norms[7].

4. Overemphasis on Personal Experience: Prioritizing subjective experiences over objective truth[3].

5. Politicization of Faith: Allowing political ideologies to shape theological views[7].

Impact on Evangelical Christianity

1. Doctrinal Confusion: Widespread uncertainty about core Christian beliefs[2].

2. Weakened Discipleship: Difficulty in forming mature believers with a solid theological foundation[7].

3. Ecumenical Challenges: Obstacles to unity with other Christian traditions[3].

4. Evangelistic Ineffectiveness: Unclear presentation of the gospel message[2].

5. Ethical Relativism: Inconsistent moral stances due to shaky theological grounding[7].

Addressing Heresies in Evangelical Churches

1. Renewed Focus on Biblical Literacy: Encouraging comprehensive study of Scripture[7].

2. Appreciation for Church History: Learning from how the church has addressed heresies in the past[5].

3. Catechesis and Discipleship: Intentional teaching of core doctrines[2].

4. Engagement with Creeds and Confessions: Reconnecting with historical formulations of faith[10].

5. Theological Education: Improving theological training for pastors and lay leaders[7].

6. Accountability Structures: Implementing systems to maintain doctrinal integrity[3].

Conclusion

While Protestant Evangelical Christianity has made significant contributions to the Christian faith, it has also been susceptible to various heresies throughout its history. By recognizing these doctrinal deviations and their impact, Evangelicals can work towards a more robust and orthodox expression of Christian faith, grounded in Scripture and informed by the wisdom of the historical church.

Citations: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_heresies [2] https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/september-web-only/state-of-theology-evangelical-heresy-report-ligonier-survey.html [3] https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/55909/are-any-fundamental-protestant-beliefs-historically-heretical [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heresy_in_Christianity [5] https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/heresy-in-the-early-church [6] https://news.fordham.edu/inside-fordham/top-10-heresies-in-the-history-of-christianity/ [7] https://anabaptistworld.org/evangelicalism-a-modern-christian-heresy/ [8] https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/september-web-only/heresy-theology-bible-literacy-rise-evangelical-heretic.html [9] https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-greatest-all-protestant-heresies [10] https://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2016/10/evangelicals-heresy-and-scripture-alone