Christian Heresies

Title: Monophysitism

Originator: Unknown

Monophysite comes from the Greek words for "one body." This heresy says that Jesus Christ was a joining of the eternal Logos with the human person Jesus, which occured at incarnation. He therefore is two separate natures joined in one body. Monophysitism is very much alive in several present-day Egyptian and Middle Eastern sects of Christianity.

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Title: Arianism

Originator: Arius

Arianism is named after Arius (c. 250 - c. 336), a priest in Alexandria. This is considered the most serious heresy. Jesus Christ was thought of as a special creation by God for man's salvation. Arianism was the form of Christianity that the Goths adhered to, and it was popular in all the areas they conquered, including Italy, Spain, and Africa.

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Title: Apollinarianism

Originator: Apollinaris of Laodicea

Named for Apollinaris of Laodicea (fl. AD 350), this heresy says that Jesus Christ was not a real man, but not totally divine either. Apollinarians suggested that he had a human body and a human soul, but his mind was taken over by the eternal Logos.

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Opinions

A variety of theological viewpoints were in existence within the very early Christian Church. As the community bishops came together in councils, and particularly after the Roman government embraced Christianity and involved itself in religious disputes, orthodoxy was established for the church. This allowed for the winnowing out of a number of heresies that had become established in late antiquity.

Here is presented a list of heresies with which the early church had to deal.