Heresy Means a Choice
Heresy is belief contrary to established doctrine. The Greek word means a choosing, which is exactly what authorities objected to.
Heresy is a belief contrary to established religious doctrine. The Greek *hairesis* means a choosing or a chosen course, from *hairein*, to take. The word's whole force lies there: the offence was not error but selection — choosing your own doctrine instead of accepting the one handed down.
- Belief against doctrine. *Condemned for heresy.*
- An unorthodox opinion. *Economic heresy.*
- Heretic — one holding such beliefs. *Branded a heretic.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | heresy | Accused of heresy. |
| Plural | heresies | Ancient heresies. |
| Person | heretic | A notorious heretic. |
| Adjective | heretical | A heretical view. |
| Related | orthodoxy | Established orthodoxy. |
How it is used in a sentence
- To suggest it was heresy.Figurative: unthinkable.
- Heresy means a choosing.From Greek.
- Orthodoxy means right belief.The opposite.
Related terms
- Heresy — contrary belief within a faith
- Apostasy — abandoning the faith entirely
- Blasphemy — irreverent speech about the sacred
- Schism — a split in the church over authority rather than doctrine
- Orthodoxy — right belief, from Greek *orthos* and *doxa*
From Greek *hairesis*, a choosing or a school of thought, from *hairein*, to take. Early Christian writers gave it the negative sense.
Heresy or schism?
Heresy concerns doctrine, schism concerns authority. A schism divides a church without necessarily disputing belief.
Did heresy always mean error?
No. In classical Greek it named a school of philosophical thought, with no negative implication.