What Has Always Been Believed
Recently, a traditionalist Christian was trying to promote his views by saying something along the lines of how we should ignore interpretations of Scripture other than those that have always been believed by the Church.
In response, I would suggest that there's no such thing as "what has always been believed by the Church," because there have always been Christians (members of the Church, in other words) who disagreed with the doctrines that came to be considered "orthodox." Calling these people heretics because they believed something other than the theology that won the doctrinal wars doesn't make them wrong, and the fact that a belief came to be considered orthodox doesn't make it right. In fact, my theory is that the more "orthodox" a doctrine is considered to be the more likely it is to be wrong, but would you expect anything less from a heretic like me?
In response, I would suggest that there's no such thing as "what has always been believed by the Church," because there have always been Christians (members of the Church, in other words) who disagreed with the doctrines that came to be considered "orthodox." Calling these people heretics because they believed something other than the theology that won the doctrinal wars doesn't make them wrong, and the fact that a belief came to be considered orthodox doesn't make it right. In fact, my theory is that the more "orthodox" a doctrine is considered to be the more likely it is to be wrong, but would you expect anything less from a heretic like me?
posted by The Christian Heretic at
10:10 AM
11 Comments:
Great point you made about what the church has "always believed". I find many (most?) traditionalists are weak when it comes to church history (not that I'm an expert). Once you start digging, you find us heretics are at least not original. We have always been there, through the ages. And, at times, we were even in the majority opinion.
Peace,
Brian
By
brian, At
December 10, 2007 7:48 AM
Once you start digging, you find us heretics are at least not original. We have always been there, through the ages. And, at times, we were even in the majority opinion.
So true.
By
The Christian Heretic, At
December 11, 2007 12:37 PM
Often there is an implicit "might makes right" principle at work in orthodoxy.
I don't mean to stress you out, but we sure would like it if you wrote more!
By
Mike, At
December 13, 2007 5:28 AM
That's actually very encouraging, Mike. Thanks. I'd love to post more, but I find I run out of things to say. :) I'll try though. :)
By
The Christian Heretic, At
December 15, 2007 7:02 PM
i can't remember where it is the NT, but i remember Paul saying something about how the 'wolves' were ready to contaminate the faith with their false teachings as soon as he was gone
By
paul, At
December 15, 2007 8:00 PM
Of course, an "orthodoxian" would respond by saying that those who do not accept the core beliefs of the church are not in fact Christians, and therefore your argument is circular.
How would you respond? Can you define "Christian" in such a way that it is not integrally related to the Church?
By
The Tartski, At
December 16, 2007 9:21 PM
Of course, an "orthodoxian" would respond by saying that those who do not accept the core beliefs of the church are not in fact Christians, and therefore your argument is circular.
I'm sure they would. :)
How would you respond? Can you define "Christian" in such a way that it is not integrally related to the Church?
"Christian" is just a word, and, like any other word, means only what the person using the word intends it to mean (see Humpty Dumpty in Through the Looking Glass :D ). I generally (note I didn't say always) define Christian as "a follower of Christ." The question, of course, then becomes, "what does it mean to follow Christ?" The answer, however, is probably for a different time. :)
By
The Christian Heretic, At
December 16, 2007 9:25 PM
Oh, and welcome to my blog. :)
By
The Christian Heretic, At
December 16, 2007 9:25 PM
Of course, an "orthodoxian" would respond by saying that those who do not accept the core beliefs of the church are not in fact Christians
I guess I should also say that the whole point of this blog entry was to remind people that there really are no "core beliefs" of the church. :)
By
The Christian Heretic, At
December 17, 2007 9:56 AM
Something similar to this, but more useful is this: if your interpretation of scripture is new and unknown to the historical church, then you are likely wrong.
By
pete, At
December 17, 2007 4:02 PM
if your interpretation of scripture is new and unknown to the historical church, then you are likely wrong.
Possibly, though I like to think that God could still be revealing new, previously unknown truths to people even today, even when it comes to what is meant by parts of the Bible.
Even if that is the case, though, there aren't very many heresies that were unknown to the historical church so that means us heretics are safe. :D
By
The Christian Heretic, At
December 18, 2007 9:44 AM
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