Using e-Sword to Explore the Words "Heretic" and "Heresy"

Mark Virkler's picture

Submitted by Mark Virkler on May 23, 2023 - 20:08

I have spent two weeks exploring the Greek words for "heretic" and "heresy." I used e-Sword extensively. As a result of this meditative study, my perception of heretics and heresy was greatly altered.

The 44-minute video below allows you to journey alongside me during these two weeks, trying to understand what the Bible teaches about heretics and heresy. My views were so profoundly changed, I decided these two words should be tossed out of my vocabulary completely! It was unbelievable to me that it took me so long to sort through my confusion and completely re-adjust my thinking and the pictures in my mind.

So the video below walks you through the way I used e-Sword to help me discover a new way of looking at these two Greek words. I hope that it will train you how you can use e-Sword to do your in-depth research and come away with new enlightenment from the Holy Spirit on a topic. Lord, reveal!

Reading this blog in an email? Click here to watch the video on our website.

See 9-part blog series: What Is a Heretic?

Removing "heretic/heresy" from our speech and defining "false/true" teachers

  1. Heretic (G141) is only used in 1 verse in the King James Version (KJV). Young's Literal Translation (YLT) translates that word as sectarian, and the New American Standard Bible (NASB) translates it factious. That means the word "heretic" is NEVER found in either the NASB or the YLT, nor is it found in the NKJV, the ASV or many other translations! A sectarian person delights in creating dissension for the sake of controversy. Being sectarian has little to do with holding a different view on a theological topic, and everything to do with having a passion to create schisms and divisions.
  2. The word heresy (G139) never shows up in the NASB or the YLT, and the KJV translates it heresy in less than half the verses it shows up in. The YLT translates G139 as "sect" all 9 times it appears (never "heresy"). Every religious group in Jesus' day was called a sect, including "The Way," which was the first name given to followers of Christ. The New Testament refers to believers as Christians (3 times). Christians are part of the ekklēsia, which is translated as "church" over 100 times. My story: I have received training from Baptists, Wesleyans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Word of Faith, and others. I prefer to call myself a Christian, a part of the Church.
  3. A false teacher has an evil heart and exhibits the works of the flesh, as does a false prophet (Matt. 7:15).
  4. A true teacher has a righteous heart, manifests the fruit of the Spirit and receives ongoing enlightenment, as their path gets brighter and brighter.

One's
Identity

Heart Motivation

Their actions

Their Fruit

Their Future

A SECTARIAN Person

Loves creating factions

Schismatic

Causes divisions

Darkness and destruction

A FALSE Teacher

Evil heart

Teaches things that are wrong

Exhibits the works of the flesh

Darkness and destruction

A TRUE Teacher

Righteous heart

Ever sharpened insights/teachings

 

Manifest the fruit of the Spirit

Continuing enlightenment

Related Resources: 

How to Hear God's Voice!   How to Master Your Bible!   How to Recognize Counterfeit Movements   
Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 201 - 210 of 487

Pages

Through the Bible 6: Life of Christ - DVDs

Through the Bible 6: Life of Christ DVDs

by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 4 Discs

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the Gospels, the Life of Christ, in 10 sessions. This is part six of our Through The Bible series,  which provide you an in-depth overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ, and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

Why are there four Gospels describing Jesus' life? How are the three synoptic Gospels different from John? What does God want to say to me through the life of Jesus? Can I really imitate Christ and be like him? Yes, Jesus came to model the lifestyle God has empowered us to live!

Price: $24.95

Through the Bible 7: Acts and Epistles DVDs

by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 2 Discs

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through Acts and the General Epistles in 10 sessions. This is part seven of our Through the Bible series, which provides you an in-depth overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ, and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

In the book of Acts you discover the vibrancy of the early Church. The Holy Spirit descended upon them in Pentecost and filled them and the room in which they were seated. Empowered by the Holy Ghost, they immediatey won 3000 to the Lord. Miracles followed, many were healed, and the world was transformed by these anointed disciples. 

In the General Epistles we learn of the struggles the early Church faced, and the amazing teaching the Apostle Paul provided to keep them on track. You receive a glimpse into the heart of Paul as he passionately encourages his readers to know who they are in Christ and ascend into the heavenlies, where they are seated with Him in heavenly places, ruling and reigning. These books take you into the depths of Scriptural truth as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Pray for God to give you revelation knowledge in your heart and mind as you meditate on His Word (Eph. 1:17,18).

Price: $24.95

Through the Bible 8: Epistles and Revelation DVDs

by Dr. Andrew Hardy

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the General Epistles and the book of Revelation in 10 sessions. This is part eight of our Through The Bible series,  which provide you an in-depth overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ, and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

This eighth series in the collection covers the following New Testament books: I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I Peter, II Peter, I John, II John, III John, Jude and Revelation.

Price: $24.95

Unique Gifts Make Winning Teams DVD Set

1 DVD set

Can I succeed like others have? What do I need to do? How do I go about it? What if I don't have the gifts necessary to do something great? The wonderful truth revealed in Scripture is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats, especially when they say, "Yes, Lord" to the destiny He has prepared for them!

Price: $39.95

Your Extraordinary Life DVDs

Mark Virkler | 16 DVD Sessions

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

Price: $39.95
4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Audio CDs

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Audio CDs

by Mark Virkler | 10 Discs | Produced 2006

This CD set of the 10-hour course will draw you into a classroom experience with others who are learning to hear from God right alongside you. It follows along with the LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice notebook (available for $4.95). Because Dr. Virkler is teaching directly from this booklet, it is recommended that you purchase both the LEARN notebook and the complete book entitled 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice. You will want to meditate on the teaching and do the exercises found in the large book if you intend to fully internalize the skill of living daily out of God’s voice.

Looking for the new Abridged Edition? See this blog post to learn more and order.

Price: $59.95

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice CDs - Abridged Edition

by Mark Virkler | 5 Discs | 10 Sessions

A complete description is available by clicking here, where you will find information on the 60-minute version of this product. The main difference is that these 10 sessions are shorter, averaging 40 minutes each. You asked for it and it's finally available! The same core teaching now abridged, making the sessions easier to fit into your Sunday School class, home group meeting or lunch hour Bible study.

Price: $39.95

A Stroll Along the Sea of Galilee CD

New life for your daily devotions!

The #1 Tool in the World for Introducing People to Hearing God's Voice! Pop this into your CD player during your morning devotional time and let us paint a scene of you and Jesus walking together along the Sea of Galilee. We'll encourage you to ask Him one of the following questions, "Lord, what would You like to say to me?" "How do You see me?" or "Do You love me?" We then guide you into using the four keys for hearing God's voice, which are: quieting yourself down, fixing your eyes on Jesus, tuning to spontaneity and writing.

Price: $2.95

Counseled by God Audio CDs

by Mark Virkler | 6 Discs

Just Released: 35th Anniversary Edition

The foremost training in the world helping you become emotionally whole by hearing the voice of the Wonderful Counselor! ? You will receive an impartation as you listen to the 13 sessions of Mark Virkler sharing life-transforming principles on how to restore your heart by receiving daily counsel directly from God.

Price: $59.95
Prayers That Heal the Heart CDs

Prayers That Heal the Heart Audio Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition CDs

by Mark Virkler | 15 Sessions | 7 Discs

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit. Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith.

Price: $59.95

Pages