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Heresy

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Heresy in the Bible?

Heresy denotes a doctrinal deviation or sectarian movement that diverges from established ecclesiastical norms, a concept that evolved in post-biblical church history to encompass a broader range of theological dissent than the specific contexts found in the New Testament.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the historical development of heresy allows readers to better understand the biblical text by revealing how early Christian communities struggled to define orthodoxy, thereby illuminating the theological debates and boundaries that shaped the interpretation of scripture and the preservation of core Christian beliefs.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Heresy. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Heresy in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Heresy clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Heresy." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/heresy/
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