Pulpit-How to Deal With Heresies Part ii

How to Deal With Heresies-Part IV

How to Meet Heresy

EARL W. HESLOP Pastor-Evangelist, Michigan Conference

The problem of meeting heresy is an important one. Heresy is found in the church when members cease to base their doctrine on the Holy Scriptures. Inasmuch as erring church members advocating such doctrine cause divisions in the church through their false teachings, it is vital to church unity and effectiveness that they be dealt with. Since heretics are erring human beings, the minister should approach them as he would any other sinner. There is a difference between the sinner who has not accepted Christ and the one who has been a church member. The heretic would have some knowledge of the Scriptures and would use that knowledge in advancing his erroneous doctrine. In his use of the Scriptures he would misapply them.

The first principle to remember in meeting heresy is given in Paul's epistle to the Galatians (6: I): "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Paul advises that the correction be administered with meekness and that the one reproving the erring person be careful lest he be tempted.

Since the heretic causes the church body injury, it is the responsibility of other members to correct him. This should not be done in the spirit of strife. Solomon says, "Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away" (Prov. 25:8-10).

The importance of endeavoring to show the heretic his error is seen in James's epistle. "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).

Christ gave advice on the method of meeting heresies. He said: "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but' if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican" (Matt. 18: 15-17). Although these verses previously cited refer in general to sinners and to the method of handling differences between individuals, the basic principle can be applied with effectiveness in meeting heretics.

The principal test to be applied to heresy is that given in Isaiah 8:20: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." It is important that heresy be met with the Word of God. This test will determine whether the "light" is true. Ellen G. White has advised the ministers of the denomination regarding how those claiming to have great light are ~ be met. "We shall have to meet crooked elements in the world and in the church. Men will come claiming to have great light; but those who have experience in the cause of God, will see that what they present as light is great darkness. Men of this class will have to be treated according to the specifications of the word of God. Those who are in error may become excited in advocating their views, but those who are walking in the light can afford to be calm, gentle with the erring, 'apt to teach,' making manifest the fact that they have asked and received wisdom of God. They will have no occasion to move excitedly, but occasion to move wisely, patiently, 'in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.' " ¹ This statement adds to meekness the attitudes of calmness, gentleness, wisdom, and patience, which should be manifested when dealing with heretics. Denominational offshoots can be considered heretical groups. The characteristics that they exhibit contribute to that conclusion. F. D. Nichol lists their characteristics as follows: 1. Denounce the movement. 2. Stress irrelevant and unimportant questions. 3. Hold up mistakes of certain leaders. 4. Make "Testimonies" a pivotal point, and quote them at length, or denounce as a fraud. 5. Seem to be controlled by great earnestness and sincerity. 6. Finally languish and die."

Another principle to be remembered when dealing with heresies is that light dispels darkness. When error is presented to the people the best antidote for it is truth. Ministers should preach the doctrines that reveal the true character of the false teachings.

Controversy should not be advocated. The spirit that should guide the Christian is that of Christ. He met error with the Scriptures, and then if the erring ones turned from the truth, He denounced them. He said to His disciples, "Beware of the scribes" (Luke 20:46). If after working with the heretic he fails to renounce his heresy, it is essential that such a one be deprived of church membership. This counsel is given: "The church may be called upon to dismiss from their fellowship those who will not be corrected. It is a painful duty that has to be done. Sad indeed is such a step, and it should not be taken until every other means of correcting and saving the one in error has failed." ³ Heresy may be the means needed to separate the chaff from the wheat. "God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. It is Bible truth, showing the perils that are right upon us. This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures, and a most critical examination of the positions which we hold." (Written in 1905.) ⁴

These sentiments were reflected by the editor of the Review in 1940. "As never before we need to study the foundation of our faith as found in the word of God. We need to preach the doctrines of the word. This preaching made Seventh-day Adventists, and this same preaching will keep our people Seventh-day Adventists. Many of our church members need instruction in the very fundamentals of our faith." ⁵

To summarize, the first step to be taken in opposing heretics is to know what the true belief is. Next, the Word of God should be preached. The other steps include counseling with the erring believer, and, if the counsel is not heeded, the drastic step of disfellowshiping. At no time should the heretic be allowed to proclaim or teach erroneous doctrines in the church. If, after being disfellowshiped, the heretic continues to proclaim his error, then means should be taken to expose the fallacy before those who come in contact with it. In all dealings with heretics the Christian should maintain Christlike attitudes and "hate APRIL, 1954 the evil, and love the good" (Amos 5: 15). While hating heresy we will love the heretic and endeavor to convince him of his error. "While we contend for the truth, Jet us avoid all asperity of manner, all reproach, personal hatred, and injury. Let us endeavor, by kindness, and love unfeigned, to commend that truth, which we deem most precious, to the regard of others. It is in the exercise of this charity, that the children of God are made manifest."⁶ [The Spirit of prophecy statements on "How to Meet Heresies and Errors," which appeared in the Counsel section of THE MINISTRY in the November and December issues, 1953, formed the Appendix to this research paper prepared by Earl W. Heslop for the class in History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Daniel Walther, instructor, at the S.D.A. Theological Seminary.-Editors.]