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Christian Heresies & Heretics: History of Heretical Doctrines
The term heresy comes from the Greek haireisthai, which means 'to choose.' Heresy is not so much the rejection of a religious authority as it is the rejection of a particular religious authority in favor of some other religious authority - an unorthodox one, to be specific. Christian history is full of heresies, heretics, and heretical groups.
Manichaeism: Was Manichaeism a Christian Heresy? What did Manichaeans Believe?
Manicheism is an extreme form of dualistic gnosticism. It is gnostic because it promises salvation through the attainment of special knowledge of spiritual truths. It is dualistic because it argues that the foundation of the universe is the opposition of two principles, good and evil, each equal in relative power. Manichaeism is named after a...
Donatism: What was Donatism? What did Donatists Believe?
Donatism was a heretical sect of early Christianity, founded by Donatus Magnus, which believed that sanctity was a requisite for church membership and administration of sacraments. Donatists lived primarily in Roman Africa and reached their largest numbers in the 4th and 5th centuries.
Cathars & Albigenses: What Was Catharism? What did Cathars Believe?
The Cathars came from the region west-north-west of Marseilles on Golfe du Lion, the old province of Languedoc. They were a heretical sect of Christians who lived in Southern France during the 11th and 12th centuries. One branch of the Cathars became known as the Albigenses because they took their name from the local town Albi. Cathar beliefs...