Heresies: Early Church Heresies

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 a pillar and foundation of the truth ( 1 Tim 3:15 ).

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. 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, ( aprox. 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 ), 1^st century ( "Father of Gnosticism" ); the heretical asceticism of the Encratites ( led by Tatian) , 2^nd century; the schism of Felicissimus, 3^rd century; the Henoticon law by Emperor Zeno, 5^th century; and other heretical systems and their variants. 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. Heresies will re-emerge throughout the centuries often under a different name and in modified form - sometimes even more virulent. The Catholic Church has the Answer: Theology of The Body.

The Theology of The Body Explained,
A Commentary on John Paul ll's "Gospel of the Body"
by Christopher West, published by Pauline Books and Media, 50 Saint Paul's Avenue,
Boston, MA. 02130-3491.
ISBN 0-8198-7410-8 (pbk.).

Introduction To Theology of The Body,
Discovering God's Glorious Plan for Your Life,
by Christopher West, 4 CD set, Released 2005 by Ascention Press.
The Christopher West web site.
ISBN 1-932631-62-3.

Created And Redeemed,
The Universal Message of John Paul ll's Theology of the Body,
by Christopher West, 8 CD set, Released 2005 by Ascention Press.
The Christopher West web site.
ISBN 1-932927-00-X.

The Wisdom of John Paul II
The Pope on Life's Most Vital Questions
Compiled by Nick Bakalar and Richard Balkin
Vintage Spiritual Classics
A Division of Random House, Inc., New York
ISBN 0-375-72732-9

Straight Talk About Sex:
A Seminar for Young Adults,
by Christopher West, 2 CD set, Released 2003 by Luminous Media.
The Christopher West web site.
Catalog #LMCWST-2CD, Release Date: 02-07-04

Woman: God's Masterpiece,
by Christopher West,
2 CD set, Released 2005 by Ascention Press.
The Christopher West web site.
ISBN 1-932631-92-5