Historical Heresies
of the Early Christian Church of the First Four Centuries
Catholic Church History
Development of Catholic Church Dogma.
Jesus Christ in the Creeds and Councils.
Studying Catholic Church History especially the
early centuries, it is apparent how precarious and difficult is the
balance between clear correct theological definitions, dogma, and
formal heresy. Indeed, without the guidance of the Holy Spirit (
Matt 28:20 ), the Church( Bark of Peter - also spelled barque ),
would have become shipwrecked. With all the possibilities of
doctrinal error over the centuries, the Catholic Church, under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, has been preserved from falling into
doctrinal error on matters of faith and morals. The true Church
founded by Jesus Christ, is the pillar and foundation of the truth
( 1 Tim 3:15 ).
Historical Details of The early Christian Church
The historical details of the early centuries of
the Church founded by Jesus Christ ( 29 A.D., day of Pentecost,
birthday of the Catholic Church, Acts 2. ) and the development of
Catholic Church dogma ( dogma = scripture interpretation. ) are
fascinating. There were many possible dogmatic, theological, and
philosophical permutations.
Heretical Systems and Variants
There were formal and near formal
heresies ( heresy = a theological doctrine or system rejected as
false by ecclesiastical authority. ) such as: Montanism,
Ebionitism, Modalism, Macedonianism, Messalianism, Anomeanism,
Apollinarianism, Subordinationism ( several heresies ),
Sabellianism (Patripassianism), Gnosticism, [ Gnostics were
Docetists; that is Christianity without a cross. Muhammad and Islam
teach this idea that someone else was crucified instead of Jesus
Christ - the non canonical Gospel of Thomas. In his Cathechesis V,
( approx. 348 A.D. ) Saint Cyril of Jerusalem states: "let none read
the gospel according to Thomas for it is the work, not of one of
the twelve apostles, but of one of Mani's three wicked disciples."
], Pneumatomachi, Valentinianism, Arnobius, Paganism, Donatism,
Emanationism, Dualism, Deism, Atheism, Neo-Platonism, Quietism,
Mithraism, Novatians, Circumcelliones, Arianism, Monothelitism,
Pelagianism, Semipelagianism, Priscillianism, Manichaeanism, (
Manicheans and Gnostics teach that salvation is liberation from the
body because the material world is evil. This heretical idea
persists down the centuries even until today. ) Adoptionism,
Nestorianism, Polytheism ( Acts 17:23 "To the Unknown God" ),
Idolatry, Monophysitism, Eutychianism, Traducianism, the heretical
views of Simon Magus ( Acts 8:18 ), 1st century (
"Father of Gnosticism" ); the heretical asceticism of the
Encratites ( led by Tatian) , 2nd century; the schism of
Felicissimus, 3rd century; the Henoticon law by Emperor
Zeno, 5th century; and other heretical systems and their
variants.
The early Christian Church converted Barbarians and Pagans, and is the Historical Catholic Church
The Early Church also had the barbarians to deal with
who's loyalty might be only to a tribal chief and a sword. Many
barbarians were educated and converted to Christianity.
