There are lots of reasons why we stumble into error.
1. We are lazy
2. We are sinful, proud and stubborn
3. Even if we are in the process of reconstruction we are growing in grace and knowledge
4. Parts of our theological framework may be skewed in such a way that we filter out Bible passages that would correct our faulty interpretations
We should aim to believe the truth and to progressively eliminate error from our thinking. And that is a process that we are not always serious enough about. To quote R. C. Sproul "I have never applied myself totally to the careful mastery of the Bible". Some questions:
Q 1. Why is the concept of heresy so unacceptable today?
Here's a response along those lines from a blog comment " I am truly shocked that the men that I mentioned above are being accused of attempting to destroy the Christian faith. Is that the kind of discourse that is accepted in your part of… sorry I have no idea where this is".
Q 2. So what's the difference between this admission of culpable error (points 1-4) and being so badly in error that we are heretical?
Q 3. If someone believes a heresy does that also make them a heretic?
Q. 4 Can someone be a genuine believer but say, believe and maybe even teach things that are heretical?
4 comments:
"Cardinal, give the rack...a turn!"
(Q 4)
IF believer's baptism and infant baptism are totally opposite, and therefore only one can be right, does the other become heresy (and threfore its 'supporters' heretics)?
Or because it's not in Paul's things of first importance (1 Cor 15) do we cut it some slack and call it "error?"
(always answer a question with a question...!)
Depends on one's view of the nature of baptism. In which case would it not be a heresy if water baptism was essential to salvation?
It would be error, perhaps of the sincerely misinterpreting kind.
Yeah totally.
And as you said, "We should aim to believe the truth and to progressively eliminate error from our thinking."
I made a point in my first ever sermon that basically stated that Jesus went to Hell. I thought He did- cf Creed, Ephesians 4 etc.
A good friend pointed it out, I looked into it and repented for being wrong!
That kind of thing keeps happening-progressively eliminating error.
What's our authority?
If I explain something that makes sense to me, but goes against the Bible, then I'M immediately wrong. End of.
Heretics are uncorrectable according to Titus 3:9-11.
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