Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church

by Harold O.J. Brown

The history of Christian theology is in large part a history of heresies, because Jesus and the claims he made . . . seemed incredible," writes the author. Heresies presents "the story of how succeeding generations of Christians through almost twenty centuries have tried to understand, trust, and obey Jesus Christ." Particularly concerned with christology and trinitarianism, the author calls on the four major creeds of the church—Apostles', Nicene, Athanasian, and Chalcedonian—to separate orthodoxy from heresy. He acknowledges that heresy has done much more than confuse and divide the church. It has also helped the church to classify orthodoxy. Just as heresy served this purpose historically, so it serves this purpose pedagogically in Heresies .


This volume presents a clarion call to evangelicals to preserve tenaciously "the faith once delivered to the saints." Frank E. James III wrote in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society : "Brown deserves to be commended not only for his insightful scholarship and his readable style but also and more importantly for providing a sorely-needed jab to the soft underbelly of modern evangelicalism."

Genres: Theology, History, Church History, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction, Philosophy

512 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1984

Reviews

[Christian Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific book on how heresy as appeared throughout the history of the church. Brown walks through different heresies that have appeared since the formation of the church up to the 20th century. He builds upon the foundation of orthodoxy that is presented in the Gospels and Acts and proceeds from there to show how the church has answered the calls of heresy. This is a great church history resource, but it is a bit outdated having been published in 2000. A new edition may expose some new heresies that present in the American church today. A great benefit of this work is the amount of primary sources he uses and presents in the bibliography.

[Irina Trancă · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jacob Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough and thoughtful historical survey of the development of orthodoxy and heresy. I appreciated this quote in which Brown expresses the fearful situation of this "post-Chalcedonian" age: "The threat of post-Chalcedonian theology is not that it teaches new heresies—those orthodoxy can resist—but that it is in the process not merely of abolishing the concept of heresy, but of forgetting that such a thing was important, or even that it ever existed."

Brown writes in the 1980's and so the end of this survey is abrupt and grim. He holds out the possibility for a resurgence of orthodoxy but makes cryptic connections to theology's collapse with the end of days. Thus, I believe him to be a bit pessimistic. If one were to take into account the last 40 years into his historical survey, despite the obvious declines, the spread of Christianity into the global south and the Neo-Calvinistic movement in the United States I think would serve to demonstrate that the days of Chalcedon are far from over. Not all descended from Israel are of Israel. The Lord always has a remnant among the heretics and this remnant if they are of the caliber of Nehemiah, are given sufficient grace to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

One final thought: Again, the irony of Brown's pessimistic final sections continues to strike me considering that during the time of publication, the orthodox theological ministries of R. C. Sproul, John Piper, John MacArthur, Doug Wilson, (and countless others) were in their early stages of faithfulness that begot the generations of Orthodox Christians we have today. May God grant us the grace of perseverance that we may hold fast to the faith once delivered to the saints.

[Ben Zornes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, this book was stupendous. This is the sort of book that makes me grateful that God gives the church men who are gifted to write such books. This is a book for those interested at a historical overview of how the Church has dealt with heresies throughout history. We 21st century Christians must be willing to look at the errors of doctrine in history and be willing to do the theological spade work to clarify orthodox doctrine today. Brown has numerous insights, is incredibly helpful in guiding the reader through the centuries of Church history and the various errors of the different generations. At times he is too pessimistic. Regardless, he shows how the truth of God's Word (orthodoxy) has triumphed in the face of error (heresy) every time. This holds great comfort and hope for those of us contending for the faith in our modern generation. Well worth the time...

[Bfleegs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a helpful review of Christian theological history. It covers the origin of orthodoxy, as well as the beginning of heresy, which came about as a result of orthodoxy's establishment. He follows these ideas of heresy and Orthodoxy throughout Christian history up to the modern-day, pointing out significant heretical issues, as well as several movements which cannot be called heretical but are simply anti-christian. As always, when I read history of any kind, I am amazed at how many times we commit the same mistakes, simply slapping different names on them, and trying to present classic error as new truth.

[Sergiu S. Dobre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una dintre cele mai bune carti pe care le-am citit in ultima vreme, un adevarat tur de forta!! Traducerea este exceptionala si ii apartine lui Dan Siserman! Felicitari! O recomand cu caldura desi nu este nicidecum o lectura usoara!

[Rob Markley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes it is hard to figure exactly what is wrong with some screwy thinking on God and faith therefore a book that traces heresy is most important. Doesn't do the job perfectly by any means

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Brown traces heresy and orthodoxy through the history of the church. One thing I found strange is that heresy shaped orthodoxy. As heresies arose, the church responded with statements of orthodoxy.

This book filled in gaps of my knowledge of church history, and it has helped me in tracing back the streams of today's denominations to see the names and ideas that have influenced and brought about Christianity of today.

Brown attempts to show the continuity of the Christian faith from the early church to Protestantism of the 20th Century. He argues that as orthodoxy developed, the church made explicit central doctrines and beliefs that were always explicit.

[Paul Dubuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent history of doctrinal and theological struggles in the history of Christianity. Heretical ideas contributed positively to the process by compelling the church to better define and refine orthodox beliefs. Hendriksen Publishers has republished this book in 1998 under the title, Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church .

[Derek Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fascinating to realize that early Christianity was a mess of complicated views, beliefs and practices - many which seem obviously mythical - and that by chance and/or design what we have today is only a small portion of the original controversy and discussion. Brown's overview of the various "heresies" is a valuable contribution to religious/Christian history.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful survey by a real master. Longtime professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, Dr. Brown really knows his subject, and navigates the reader through some complicated material with ease. A really solid work.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fascinated by this book, there are a lot of new words, which made for semi-difficult reading, but it was a good, educational experience. Brown presents a relatively concise overview of some of the major debates and shifts in church theology over the last 2000 years.

[Mark Seeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow going with rich historical detail. Well researched and documented. I slogged through it but ended up to be a very rewarding, especially for the early church controversies including the iconoclastic struggle.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. The title doesn't even begin to describe the wealth of historical information, the subtle but persuasive argumentation, or the gracious levelheadedness of this book.