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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · History of Religions

Heresy

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈherəsi/nounCommon term

In religious studies & theology, heresy means: A belief or teaching that the authorities of a religious community judge to be contrary to its accepted doctrine.

In Turkish: heterodoksi, sapkınlık, resmi öğretiye aykırı inanç

How it is used

Historians use it descriptively: a teaching is a heresy only from the point of view of a particular orthodoxy. Many scholars therefore prefer heterodox. Phrases: accuse someone of heresy, condemn a teaching as heresy, heresy trials. A person is a heretic; the adjective is heretical.

Example sentences

  1. Arius's teaching about Christ was condemned as heresy at the Council of Nicaea.

  2. Historians treat heresy as a label applied by those who controlled doctrine.

Common collocations

  • accuse of heresy
  • condemn as heresy
  • heresy trial
  • medieval heresy
  • schismA formal split within a religious community into separate groups, usually over doctrine, authority or practice.
  • doctrineA belief or set of beliefs that a religious community officially teaches and expects its members to accept.
  • creedA short formal statement of the central beliefs of a religion or community, often recited in worship, such as the Nicene Creed in Christianity.
  • syncretismThe blending of beliefs, practices or symbols from different religious traditions into a new form.

More terms: History of Religions

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