Here at Church Watch Central, we delve into critical discussions surrounding theology and controversies that plague the church today. In this article, we shine a spotlight on Phil Johnson, Executive Director of ‘Grace to You’, renowned for his thought-provoking and grace-inspired sermons and resources. In six messages, Johnson dissects some of the most perilous heresies that the church has confronted, offering valuable insights and perspectives.
This enlightening series, originally shared in the year 2000, serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and combating theological heresies in the past, such heresies re-emerging within the Christian faith today.
Below, his sermons are presented in chronological order, these heresies from youngest to oldest over the last 2000 years. We will be using “For the Love of His Truth“ blog for the introductions to the episodes below:
A Survey of Heresies
It’s important for Christians to have a grasp of heresies that the church has battled over the centuries, because they often return with new clothing, and the unprepared Christian is likely to fall into these old pits. Phil does an excellent job of looking at some of the major heresies that are revisiting the church today: Socinianism, Arianism, Pelagianism, Gnosticism, and Judaizing. This is an excellent 6 part series that will shore up some weak points in the church today.
THE JUDAIZERS
“The relationship of Christianity to the law of Moses has always posed some very difficult problems. A heretical brand of legalism, practiced by the Judaizers, posed a major and continual threat to the New Testament church even while Scripture was still being written. The apostles’ war with legalism permeates the book of Acts and most of the epistles.”
THE GNOSTICS
“Gnosticism is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the heresy of the Judaizers. The legalism of the Judaizers was a synthesis of Pharisaical Judaism and Christianity. Gnosticism was a blend of pagan philosophy with Christianity. The Judaizers stubbornly clung to the past; the Gnostics radically broke with the past.”
THE ARIANS (Part 1)
“The history of Arianism is a case study in how heresy often arises from within the church. Arianism spread by quiet infiltration and gained strength through the personal charisma of the false teachers. It took advantage of a climate of tolerance.”
THE ARIANS (Part 2)
“Arianism developed to massive proportions before anyone rose up to oppose it. This is Satan’s favorite tactic, disguising himself as an emissary of light.”
THE PELAGIANS
“The next great heresy in the church was Pelagianism. This error returned to the issue of soteriology. It is a fact of history that every major error that has ever assaulted the Christian faith fits under one or both of two categories: they are either Christological or soteriological. Other forms of error havearisen, but all the truly dangerous heresies have attacked on one or both of these two fronts.”
THE SOCINIANS
“Socinianism is the culmination of heresy – an amalgamation of all the other heresies – and it is without a doubt the most widespread of all the heresies in our generation. Modern theological liberalism is nothing more than a variety of Socinianism.”
A Survey of Heresies
Source: The Grace Life Pulpit, http://www.thegracelifepulpit.com/Sermons.aspx?code=PJ-CDA04. (Accessed May 29, 2023.) [Archived]
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Categories: Resources