By definition, a heretic is a person who believes in, or practices religious heresy, or is a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted. Heresy is not the same as apostasy. Apostasy is a total renunciation of one's faith, or blasphemy, which is out right irreverence for God, or even the audacity of someone calling them self God. The word "heresy" itself comes to us from Greek, and originally meant, "choice", or "thing chosen." Later its meaning morphed into being a "party, or school of a man's choice", and it was eventually coined by Irenaeus in his treatise: 'Against Heresies', and came to mean anyone who didn't agree with his standard of what he claimed was biblical orthodoxy.
So really, this word means someone who doesn't agree with another's "orthodoxy." For example, I can be considered by Trinitarians to be a heretic toward their unbiblical doctrine of the Trinity, which admittedly, I am. I no longer espouse the Pre-Trib rapture doctrine, and so according to such Christians, I'm a heretic. So be it. Once Save Always Saved? Yep, I'm a heretic. To be honest dear reader, I'm not interested in what Ireanaeus, or anyone else thinks is "Christian orthodoxy." I'm only interested in what God's point of view of Scripture is,
whose Spirit is my faithful guide to what true Christian orthodoxy really is, and not a fickle human point of view. I don't fear being called a heretic by anyone, except Jesus. By adopting this attitude, a true, or authentic Christian, can avoid being what Paul called a hairetikos [heretic] of true biblical Christianity, in his letter to Titus.
So really, this word means someone who doesn't agree with another's "orthodoxy." For example, I can be considered by Trinitarians to be a heretic toward their unbiblical doctrine of the Trinity, which admittedly, I am. I no longer espouse the Pre-Trib rapture doctrine, and so according to such Christians, I'm a heretic. So be it. Once Save Always Saved? Yep, I'm a heretic. To be honest dear reader, I'm not interested in what Ireanaeus, or anyone else thinks is "Christian orthodoxy." I'm only interested in what God's point of view of Scripture is,
whose Spirit is my faithful guide to what true Christian orthodoxy really is, and not a fickle human point of view. I don't fear being called a heretic by anyone, except Jesus. By adopting this attitude, a true, or authentic Christian, can avoid being what Paul called a hairetikos [heretic] of true biblical Christianity, in his letter to Titus.
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned - Titus 3:10-11
The word hairetikos means one who is subverted, and it carries the inference of a condemned building that is beyond repair; it's meaning can even lean toward a person falling away into apostasy. Even so, we are told to try and win back the heretic with sound doctrinal instruction instead of cursing them, burning them at the stake, taring and feathering them, or beheading them, as it was and still is the custom with many religious faiths.
Using the razor sharp sword of the word is okay, but I have found that depending on how long someone has been in their heresy, no matter how much, or how expertly you slash at their false doctrine, their callouses are often far too thick. In this case, only Jesus can save them at that point. And that usually involves a great deal of pain, be it emotional, physical, or both. I have mixed emotions about that, I feel for them, it's gonna hurt something aweful, but I'm glad for them too, since I know that when Jesus goes after them, chances are they'll be saved, like Paul, and like me. But if even Jesus won't touch them, yikes, that's really bad. I'm not so sure about turning someone over to Satan, so they will learn not to balspheme, as mean as I am by some peoples estimates, I feel that's really harsh. To be honest, I woulnd't even know how to do that if I had to.
So, the question I seek to answer is: Are Word of Faith teachers (in particular) and their adherents heretics according to God's inerrant word, or are they apostates? The only way to know is by examining their doctrine. As far as being an apostate, well, that depends on how hard they cling to their false doctrine.
Using the razor sharp sword of the word is okay, but I have found that depending on how long someone has been in their heresy, no matter how much, or how expertly you slash at their false doctrine, their callouses are often far too thick. In this case, only Jesus can save them at that point. And that usually involves a great deal of pain, be it emotional, physical, or both. I have mixed emotions about that, I feel for them, it's gonna hurt something aweful, but I'm glad for them too, since I know that when Jesus goes after them, chances are they'll be saved, like Paul, and like me. But if even Jesus won't touch them, yikes, that's really bad. I'm not so sure about turning someone over to Satan, so they will learn not to balspheme, as mean as I am by some peoples estimates, I feel that's really harsh. To be honest, I woulnd't even know how to do that if I had to.
So, the question I seek to answer is: Are Word of Faith teachers (in particular) and their adherents heretics according to God's inerrant word, or are they apostates? The only way to know is by examining their doctrine. As far as being an apostate, well, that depends on how hard they cling to their false doctrine.