What is Heresy?
Acts 24:14
"But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:"
We must be careful what we call heresy. I have found that there are many Christians who are quick to call something heresy simply because they are not comfortable with or about something of which they have never heard. In the verse above, the enemies of the Apostle Paul called what he believed in heresy. This was the easy way out for them. They had not studied the Scriptures to see if he was right or wrong. Instead, they accused him of heresy because they did not like that he took away their influence. As you can see, calling something heresy is easy to say and is the easy way to excuse away our laziness from studying the Scriptures. If we need to be careful about calling something heresy, then we need to find out what heresy is.
First, heresy is not something with which I am not comfortable. Most fundamental Baptist are uncomfortable with any change. It does not bother me that someone bristles at change, for if we get comfortable with change then we will be easily swayed into doing something that is against the Scriptures. However, just because you are not comfortable with something does not make it heresy.
Second, something that goes against your preference is not heresy. If you are not careful, you will start making preference the determination of right and wrong. You must realize that there are no two people who have the same preferences. This is why you must be careful about calling something heresy simply because it is something that you do not prefer. Your preference does not determine truth or heresy.
Third, different methods of doing things does not make something heresy. God can use different methods to accomplish His works. As long as methods do not go against the Word of God, they are not wrong. I would expect you to believe your methods are right, but just because someone else has a different method of doing something does not make them a heretic.
Fourth, heresy is something that is contrary to the Word of God. The only time something is heresy is when it is in direct contradiction to God's Word. I often tell people that they need to show me in black and white from God's Word that something is right or wrong. If we are not careful, we will fill Christianity with opinions and cause unneeded strife and separation. I am for separation when someone goes against the Word of God, but I am not for separating over methods, opinions and preferences.
Christian, I do believe you need to be careful about being caught up in heresy; however, let's be careful with what we classify as heresy. Let's be careful about turning Christianity into a bunch of opinions and preferences. Always remember that God's Word is the final authority on everything and not your preference or your way of thinking. Don't needlessly classify something as heresy without having proof from God's Word.