Shall We Remove the Words "Heretic" and "Heresy"?

I was shocked to find the word "heretic" occurs only one time in the King James Version of the Bible (Tit. 3:10)! It is the Strong's Greek word G141 and means “factious, schismatic, causing division.” The Young's Literal Translation translates this word sectarian and the NASB translates it factious, which means the word "heretic" is NEVER found in either the NASB or the YLT!

Everyone I disagree with is a heretic … REALLY?

"You’re a heretic! That’s heresy!" The question is, “By what criteria do we say that?” Generally, the criterion is that that person's interpretation of Scripture is different from my interpretation of Scripture. Thus they can call all sorts of teaching heretical. I have seen people’s views of heaven and hell called heretical. One religious group tells its members that any sex between a husband and wife which doesn’t culminate in the possible conception of a new life is heretical and wrong. Catholics believe Protestants are heretical, and vice versa.

"Heresy" is the Greek word related to "heretic"

"Heresy" is translated from the Strong's Greek word G139 αἵρεσις - hairesis, meaning “choosing, choice”. This Greek word occurs 9 times in the Bible. The translators chose not to translate it but to transliterate it. This is a key distinction, as it means they created a new English word that simply sounds like the Greek word. So the new English word they created was "heresy," which of course had no English definition, so everyone was able to make up their own definition for the word. Today we picture heresy as false teaching, rather than picturing its true meaning which is “choosing, choice”.

G139 is translated 1 time in the NASB as heresies (2 Pet. 2:1) and in the KJV it is translated 3 times as heresies and 1 time as heresy.

In Young’s Literal Translation G139 is ALWAYS translated sect; never heresy

Below is every occurrence of G139 (heresy) in the Bible!

How about you try inserting the word heresy in each of the nine verses below and then try inserting the word sect in each verse. (New American Standard Bible translation is used below)

• Does heresy make sense in each of these nine verses?
• Does sect make sense in each of these nine verses?

1. But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect G139 of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. (Acts 5:17)
2. But some of the sect (G139) of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses." (Acts 15:5)
3. “For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect (G139) of the Nazarenes. (Acts 24:5)
4. "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect (G139) I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets. (Acts 24:14)
5. Since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect (G139) of our religion... (Acts 26:5)
6. "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect (G139), it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere." (Acts 28:22)
7. For there must also be factions (G139) among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. (1 Cor. 11:19) 
8. Idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions (G139), envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:20, 21)
9. But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies (G139), even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. (2 Pet. 2:1)

The Bible calls every religious group of Jesus' time, a sect

1. The Sadducees are called a sect (Acts 5:17)
2. The Pharisees are called a sect (Acts 15:5; 26:5)
3. Nazarenes are called a sect (Acts 24:5)
4. The initial followers of Jesus, The Way, was called a sect (Acts 24:14)
5. The purpose of sects (G139) is so that those who are approved will become evident (1 Cor. 11:19)

My decision is…

I found that sect works in all nine verses and heresy sure doesn’t. So I am in full agreement with Young’s Literal Translation of these 9 verses. Translate each one as “sect” and drop the word heresy completely.

Based on that, I am throwing the word heresy OUT OF MY VOCABULARY since it is completely confusing and any picture in people’s minds today of what heresy is, is NOT what G139 αἵρεσις (hairesis) means in Greek!

I am also throwing the word heretic out of my vocabulary and replacing it with sectarian.

My Journaling

Mark, do not police others. Do not command that they agree with you. Allow differences of opinion without needing to come against others. The Church is to cast out the one who loves causing divisions.

One can hold a different belief and not be sectarian. He can present his belief with simplicity and clarity and trust My Spirit to witness in the heart of the searcher concerning the truth of what he has spoken. One becomes sectarian when he switches to fighting rather than simply presenting (Tit. 3:9-11). It is a matter of the heart. It is a heart attitude. Have I not said, “Reject a sectarian man after a first and second warning” (Tit. 3:10 YLT)?

There must be divisions among you so that those who are approved may become evident (1 Cor. 11:19). So holding a countering opinion is not what makes a person sectarian.

My decision: I will honor all people, even those who disagree with me. I will listen with respect knowing that I do not know all things, and that I will continue growing and changing until the day I die. I understand that it is the Spirit who leads me into all truth, so I will commune with God daily, as He designed in the Garden of Eden. The main truths that I will insist on are: 1) Christ is the Messiah, and 2) salvation is through repenting of my sins, accepting His cleansing blood and following Him as my Lord and Savior.

A question for you to ask the Lord & journal out what He speaks back to you

• Lord, should I stop using the words "heretic" and "heresy"? What would You speak to me about this?

It’s Not Heresy! It’s Enlightenment!

1. What Is a Heretic? Have I Been One? Who Defines Misinformation?
2. Shall We Remove the Words "Heretic" and "Heresy"?
3. What Is the Key Trait of a False Teacher?
4. What Is the Key Trait of a True Teacher?
5. God’s Highway of Holiness Is SAFE
6. Roadblocks Removed on His Highway of Holiness
7. As I Travel God’s Highway, Revelation Is Ever Brighter
8. A New Day Dawns as the Morning Star ARISES in Our Hearts
9. Using e-Sword to Explore the Words "Heretic" and "Heresy"