Heresies

[Scofizzle]

Ladies and Gentlmen I am writing a Term paper on The Holy Trinity and I need to know the name of some herecies that arose from the defining of the doctrine of The Trinity and I know somw of you out there know them. Thanks Guys.

[Myles Domini]

This article on [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15047a.htm"]The Blessed Trinity[/url] is well worth reading. Part III in particular covers the points that contrast the orthodox development of the Trinitarian Dogma and the attempts of various heretical groups to subvert this process. This piece by Fr John Hardon SJ called [url="http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Trinity/Trinity_001.htm"]Catholic Doctrine on the Holy Trinity[/url] will also be essential reading.

Good luck

Edited May 2, 2006 by Myles

[jswranch]

For a start

[url="http://www.catholic.com/library/Great_Heresies.asp"]http://www.catholic.com/library/Great_Heresies.asp[/url]

[Laudate_Dominum]

Some of the trinitarian heresies have different names, or some of the names are specific flavours of a broader heresy. But you might look into Arianism, Sabellianism, Modalism, Tritheism, Subordinationism, Monarchism, the Pneumatachoi, Adoptionism, Unitarianism, Patripassianism.

Sabellianism is a kind of Modalism, Adoptionism is a kind of Monarchism, etc.. Basically there is a lot of cross over here. To understand orthodoxy it is important to understand these heresies and their nuances, but also to understand these heresies it is essential to understand orthodoxy. To appreciate orthodox belief, with regard to the Holy Trinity, it is good to start by contemplating the doctrines of homoousios and perichoresis as elucidated by the fathers and the early councils.

I'm being rather general here.. As far as heresies that arose sort of in response to a council that's a bit different.. Some of the major Christological heresies were directly inflamed or inspired by a council and these heresies have Trinitarian consequences. There are lesser heresies that arose after councils.. For example the Semi-Arians, or perhaps the Macedonians.. These are all just different flavours of the same nonsense though.. Anyway, have fun. :-)

[OLAM Dad]

At what point do heretics become non-Christian or pagan? For instance, would Mormons be considered heretics? What about Muslims?

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='OLAM Dad' post='968613' date='May 2 2006, 01:51 PM']
At what point do heretics become non-Christian or pagan? For instance, would Mormons be considered heretics? What about Muslims?
[/quote]
It kind of depends on who you ask. I've seen patristic treatises that list Judaism and Islam as "heresies" but today we tend to speak of them as seperate religions.
In the general sense a heresy is just a false doctrine so all non-Catholic religions are "heresies" in this sense. But in a more specific sense, that of Christian heresies, I suppose there are different degrees of severity. What I consider to be the simplest criteria for identifying a group as Christian would be the validity of their baptism. In the case of the mormons it is quite invalid. This coupled with the extent of heresy rampant in their teachings qualifies that group as a non-Christian religion. But I'm sure there are individual mormons who, despite their deviant theology, have a real relationship with Christ and strive to follow Him to the best of their ability. Thus, I don't think it is perhaps fair to assume that just because someone is a mormon they deserve to be labelled "non-Christian". I'd say such persons are Christian in spite of their religion, as contradictory as that may sound.

Just my opinion anyway.

[jswranch]

[quote name='OLAM Dad' post='968613' date='May 2 2006, 01:51 PM']
At what point do heretics become non-Christian or pagan? For instance, would Mormons be considered heretics? What about Muslims?
[/quote]
I do not have time to check the CCC, but I speculate that it is safe to say those who are validly baptized are Christians and have made a profession of Christ IAW the Athanasian Creed (or fairly close to it). The Athanasian Creed, while lengthy boils down to " the trinity of the Persons of God, and the twofold nature in the one Divine Person of Jesus Christ."
[url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02033b.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02033b.htm[/url]

Mormons, while proclaiming Christ as the Son of God, are polytheists. For them, it is accepting to believe that there exists as many worlds as their are stars. Each of these worlds is run by its own God. Its God is not the same God as ours. JP2 also ruled their baptism cannot be considered valid.

Muslims, they too respect Jesus as very special, but emphatically deny he was in any way a deity.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=48426&st=0&p=899111entry899111"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...11entry899111[/url]

[Scofizzle]

thanks guys this will be a big help

[Resurrexi]

Of course mormons would be heretics! All protestants are heretics!

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='StThomasMore' post='971620' date='May 4 2006, 07:56 PM']
Of course mormons would be heretics! All protestants are heretics!
[/quote]
1. Mormons are not Protestants. Protestants have valid Baptism. Mormons do not. Protestants must be Christian. Mormons are not.

2. Not all Protestants are heretical. To be a heretic requires a formal act of heresy. Material heresy does not count.