Christian Heresies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Choice

It comes from the Greek hairesis, which was used to mean making a "choice" between rival schools of philosophy.

Answer: Arminianism

Arminianism is named for Arminius, a Dutch theologian of the 16th century. Some Christians consider Arminianism to be a heresy, and teach instead predestination, contending that Christ died only for the elect (not for all), that His grace is irresistible (not a choice), and that it is impossible to fall from grace (salvation is unconditional). Though Arminianism was condemned at the Synod of Dort in 1618, it is, in fact, a dominant belief among many Christians today.

The Methodists, in particular, repudiate the doctrine of predestination, and John Wesley actively preached against it.

The beliefs of the majority of Christians perhaps rest somewhere between Arminianism and Calvinism. The free will / predestination debate continues to rage among-and indeed within-denominations.

Answer: Arius

Arius taught that Christ was not, in fact, God, but rather the highest created being. Arianism (not to be confused with Arminianism) was declared a heresy by The Council of Nicaea, but Arius enjoyed the support of the Emperor Constantine. Some self-identified Christian groups, such as the Christadelphians, still hold the tenet.

Answer: Marcion

Marcion said that because the Old Testament god was subject to passions such as anger, he could not be the true God. Marcion's teachings were stringently condemned by Irenaeus, Tertullian, and others.

Answer: Docetism

Docetism comes from a Greek word meaning "to seem." Those who adhere to this belief teach that Christ only appeared to live, suffer, and die. This belief was held by those who considered it impossible to reconcile Christ's divinity with his physical existence. Similar teachings are contained in forms of Gnosticism and were also expounded by Marcion.

Answer: Manichees

Augustine was attracted to Manichaeism before his conversion to Christianity. The Manichees taught a dualism between flesh and spirit, arguing that flesh was in and of itself evil. There was no such thing as "personal sin"; rather, the Manichees believed corruption resulted because the soul was in contact with matter.

Therefore, the "elect" among the Manichees practiced strict celibacy and asceticism. The laity, however, could marry.

Answer: Pelagius

Since Christ told his followers to "be perfect," Pelagius assumed this must be possible. Man, he argued, was not depraved by nature and could enter heaven by being moral as well as by receiving the gospel. Pelagianism was condemned as a heresy at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD.

A more mild form of this teaching is called Semi-Pelagianism, which resembles Arminism, and teaches that although man is not capable of perfection on his own, he is capable, on his own, of choosing to receive God's grace.

Answer: Nestorius

The Council of Ephesus held in 431 AD condemned this teaching, stating that that Christ's two natures (human and divine) are not separate but rather united in one substance, and Mary was, therefore, the mother of God.

Answer: Thomas

Gnosticis claimed to have a secret revelation by which they were saved. They taught a kind of dualism of spirit and flesh, which lead to two opposite practices among believers: licentiousness and asceticism. Gnosticism was a serious rival to Christianity, and it influenced a wide variety of heresies (including Marcion's and that of the Manichees).

The early Church solidified much of its doctrine in reaction to the Gnostic teachings. Certain Gnostic gospels, deemed uninspired by the Church and never considered for inclusion in the canon, still survive today. "The Gospel of Thomas" is perhaps the most famous.

Answer: Ophites

Taking a page from Marcion, the Ophites believed the God of the Old Testament was evil. They therefore honored the villains of the Hebrew Scripture (Cain, the Sodomites, etc.) and even worshipped the serpent, which for them represented secret, withheld knowledge. (Gnosticism comes from "gnosis," meaning knowledge.)