Forms of Heresy

I found the most interesting thing on the IMDb forums when I was reading up on Mel Gibson films. The thread was about Braveheart and its multiple references in Wild at Heart by John Eldredge.

The post by paperclipjoe speaks about different types of heresy. Here is his (I assume paperclipjoe is a he) post in its entirety:

I think this is good. I'll be honest with you, very few Christians I know are like Ned Flanders. There are a few like that, the sort of Puritans. I've learned a great deal by reading Gilbert Chesterton and through him Hilaire Belloc. One thing they've pointed out to me is what a heresy is. A heresy is usually a truth taken out of proportion from other truths. Because it is "true" it can undermine the other truths, unless you recognize what it is doing. Thus a puritan who does all this ninny nannying about 'don't drink alcohol, its the devil's drink' is really in a sort of heresy. As Chesterton put it, its idolatry to set up false gods, but it is also idolatry to set up false devils. The puritan ascribes evil to an object, of which there is no inherent evil. A man may drink and become a drunkard. That is true. But to take that truth and say a man who drinks IS committing the evil of a drunkard is a heresy. It takes truth out of proportion. It says the badness of being a drunk is the same as the goodness of a nice glass of wine (I don't drink by the way).

Whats the point to the original article? Christians should stop being ninny-nannies. If you're doing it, stop it. You're only assisting those who want to discredit your religion. Its almost humorous at times. You get Christians who feel so put upon that they must attack anyone who disagrees with them. At the other extreme you have Christians who feel so cowed that they hide in their corner. There is a lack of a sense of proportion. You are the majority in the country. 85% of the people in the U.S. consider themselves Christian. 45% go to Church every Sunday. So stop acting all timid or reactionary. You don't need to be an extremist (a sure sign of being timid). Just take your stand, plant your feet on the ground, and act like the dominant culture that you are. Be a Braveheart - believe in solid virtues like loyalty, brotherhood, chastity, temperance, but quit the whinning nitpicking, or hiding when you are attacked.

I think The Passion was a good example. Gibson made an entirely Christian film, with no regard to compromising its Christian element. He was savagely attacked, but he planted two feet on the ground did his thing, and succeeded in the end. And yet he can turn around and make a comedic appearance as Officer Steve Cox on Complete Savages and be a sexist pig. There are those who say "Ninny-ninny-ninnny, you can't do that. You're a Christian now. You made The Passion. No more fun anymore." Who says a Christian can't have fun in a comedy role as a sexist pig. Thats a false devil.

I think I made a point somewhere in here :)


paperclipjoe hits the nail on the head and I agree wholeheartedly!


Colossians 2:16 NIV Biblegateway
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.