I don't want to derail the thread, but I'm curious: Who exactly is a heretic? Is it someone who actively teaches a false doctrine, or is it also someone who merely believes and follows it? Or is it just a matter of semantics and splitting hairs?
It just seems that we have a difficult time not only pinning down what are and what are not heresies, but also who and who are not heretics.
We must also remember that Scripture has different instructions for dealing with false believers (who are really non-believers) vs. dealing with false teachers.
$0.02
My $0.02
Heresy... from a Greek word signifying (1) a choice, (2) the opinion chosen, and (3) the sect holding the opinion.
Heresies are another way of saying private interpretations as personal commentaries of men on what they believe the word of God teaches them. In that way we have opinions in a hope they do not make the grace of God without effect. That kind of heresy is considered damnable.Not all opinions are damnable.
2Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
The Jew who resisted sola scriptura (believing all things written in the law and the prophets ) accused Paul of heresy but could not prove any thing without first shooting themselves in their own foot. .
Act 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way "which they call heresy", so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Scripture say there must be heresies in that way. For we seek the approval of God and not men
1Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
It just seems that we have a difficult time not only pinning down what are and what are not heresies, but also who and who are not heretics.
God’s interpretation, the Bible is not a heresy, it is law, not subject to change .