A Heretic

In a recent chat, an old friend of mine mentioned how in the church he attended people don’t dare question the preacher or bring up anything from their own study that might contradict him without running the fear of being called a heretic. While there are now growing numbers of believers who gladly accept the label of heretic as a grace-trophy, there are still more who dread the reference. But even among those who don’t care what a preacher may say, I wonder how many actually know what the Biblical reference means. Anyhow, the idea triggered the following response.

A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. Titus 3:10-11 KJV

Many preachers don’t usually like to be questioned because they are afraid it will usurp their sense of authority. It’s all an illusion, though, the authority thing, that is.

Leaders and teachers love to use labels like “heretic.” It shuts most people up out of fear. I mean, who wants to be branded as an enemy of Christ by the leader of the church? I know they think they know what Paul meant in his letter to Titus, but most who throw the word around have no clue. The irony is that those who call people heretics may actually be the real heretics themselves.

There are two things to consider regarding what Paul meant:

1. What does the word actually mean?
2. Why did he instruct Titus to regard a man as a heretic?

First of all, the meaning is simple: “schismatic, discordant, divisive”

People are usually labeled as “heretic” because they claim they are teaching false doctrine. In other words, they don’t hold to the basic beliefs of the denomination … or of the preacher. They will appeal to the definition of “divisive” or “discordant” in that the so-called heretic is stirring up trouble in the congregation.

But then, what if the false doctrine that is causing people to question the pastor’s theology happens to be legitimate? I mean, the teaching that we are saved by grace through faith alone is considered false teaching by those who preach works for salvation, right?

So, it might be a good idea to know why Paul told Titus to regard a man as being schismatic, discordant, or divisive. And it’s not because he disagreed with one of the pastor’s pet teachings. Consider some of what Paul told Titus to remind the people:

• “Malign no one.” But think how often preachers malign people by dismissing them as heretics and other labels
• “be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.” Again, preachers are some of the worst offenders in not showing real consideration toward many people.
• Then Paul went on to describe the grace of God in having saved us when we were foolish, disobedient, hateful, etc. And how he saved us according to what Christ has done not what we have done.
• And then, right before he makes his comments about heretics, Paul wrote this: ” But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

If we really paid attention to much of the preaching that comes out of the pulpit, we might be surprised how much of it is nothing more than what Paul described right there. He described the legal mind with all its finer points as to what makes something right or wrong.

These are the same kind of disputes about the Law that the Pharisees used in their attempts to trap Jesus. And we have gotten so used to this kind of nit-picking preaching that we don’t realize how divisive it is.
Preachers are often divisive, for they use their teachings to divide believers by making distinctions between them. Just pay attention to some of the things you have heard over the years that have caused believers to be at odds with one another. That, my brother, is what being a heretic is all about.