[Greek] αἵρεσις (hairesis), [Latin] secta: religious party, division, false teaching; Acts 5:17, Acts 15:5, Acts 24:5, Acts 24:14, Acts 26:5, Acts 28:22, 1Cor.11:19, Gal.5:20, 2Pet.2:1
The battle lines are clearly being defined in the schism between Modernists and traditional (conservative) Catholics in the Church. As the Modernists continue to “reform” and “renew” the Church, one wonders if these Modernists can still be called Catholic?
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means a taking of, choice, inclination, purpose, principles, faction, and course of action.
Schools of thought:
- Sophism: People should use knowledge to improve themselves. The art of public speaking and debate is highly praised.
- Socratism: There is no absolute right or wrong. The Socratic method involves learning new things by asking questions and considering different options.
- Epicureanism: Happiness is the goal in life. One must seek out physical pleasures.
- Stoicism: Happiness comes from reason, not emotions. Embrace the suck.
Old Testament: This term means choice. Philo and Josephus view this term as a philosophical school of thought (Essenes, Sadducees, and Pharisees). When straying from orthodoxy, this term refers to being heretical. At the end of the 2nd century, this term refers to adherents of other faiths outside of Judaism.
New Testament: This term means party, sect, faction, and heresy.
Acts 5:17: the Sadducees’ party (They demanded that the Apostles abandon their prophetic ways. They put the Apostles in jail.)
Acts 15:5: [At the Jerusalem Council] the converted Pharisaic Christians claimed it was necessary for the Gentiles to observe the Mosaic law. (This council sought to settle the matter of circumcision.)
Acts 24:5: We find Paul to be a pest. He creates dissensions among the Jews and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans. (The Christians were both viewed contemptuously by the Jews and Romans. Nazareth was also negatively viewed by Jews and Galileans.)
1Cor.11:19: There must be factions among you in order that those among you (who are approved) may be known. (There are times when God’s providence allows for divisions. Both authentic and inauthentic teachings are to be made known to others.)
False Teachers: 2Pet.2:1-3
- There will be false prophets and false teachers among you who will introduce destructive heresies. (confusing, ambiguous, and evil statements and documents)
- They will deny the Master’s teachings and bring destruction down upon them. (leading people into confusion, sin, and eternal moral peril)
- Many will follow their licentious ways. The way of truth may be revealed. (More will see and understand the truth and error [heresy, confusion, and evil]. More will learn about their faith.)
- They will exploit you with fabrications, human traditions, and innovations. (human doctrines, novelties, innovations, new teachings)
- Their destruction will not sleep. (More will be led into a sin and eternal moral peril)
What problems did Paul see in Corinth? Paul saw schism, divided parties, open sexual immorality, doctrinal heresy, liturgical abuses, problems with the state of marriage, and Christians settling disputes in pagan courts.
Conclusion:
Heresy, heretical, sect
In the Jewish culture, this term later refers to adherents of other faiths.
Update: Heresy by its very definition is straying from orthodoxy (right belief).
Paganism: Introducing pagan idols (Panchamama), Indian rituals, and other indigenous cultural practices into the Mass.
Indifferentism: All religions lead to the same divine truth. (Pope Francis: “God willed the the plurality of religions.”)
Marcionism: The Old Testament God must be viewed differently from the New Testament God. (Father James Martin: “St. Paul was wrong on homosexuality” In today’s culture, homosexuality must be now be re-evaluated as an acceptable non-sinful lifestyle.)
Hyper-papalism (modern-day version of Montanism): The pope, like an oracle of God, has a special knowledge. (Cardinal Fernandez makes reference to the ‘Doctrine of the Holy Father’. IF YOU DON’T FOLLOW THE POPE, THEN YOU ARE DIVISIVE! We must also not forget that Pope Francis also has his faithful legion of ‘pope-splainers’.)
Freemasonry: This is a false ecumenism which denies religious truth. (Pope Francis’ inner circle just recently engaged in discussions with Freemasons.)
Violation of the 6th Commandment: All need to acquire the virtue of Chastity. (Pope Francis: “The virtue of chastity is an option.”)
Relativism: All religions are on the same level. (The Vatican allows Anglican services in the cathedrals in Rome.)
Universalism: The belief that all humankind will be eventually saved. (Pope Francis: “The Good Lord will save everyone.”)
Rejection of the divine law of marriage between a man and woman: (Fiducia Supplicans provides for blessings for same-sex couples.)
Modernism: Pope Francis: “Paul was freed from the religious zeal that made fierce in upholding the traditions he had received. The formal observation of religion and the sword wielding of defense of Tradition, made him “rigid”. (Pope Francis equates a Pharisee upholding his tradition to a Catholic upholding his Catholic Tradition. This clearly illustrates that Pope Francis despises Tradition. LET THAT SINK IN!)
Rejection of the avoidance of sin: (Fiducia Supplicans has NO provisions for forgiveness and conversion of heart.)
Causing sacrilege against the reception of the Eucharist: (Pope Francis allowed pro-abortion politicians President Biden and Nancy Pelosi to receive the Eucharist)
Pelagiansim: “The good done to every being is single criterion for judgment.” (We can be saved by good works without grace.) Pope Francis
Right to follow a false-religion: “One must reaffirm the fundamental right to religious freedom.” Pope Francis (There is no right to pursue a false religion.)
Freemasonry: “Man has an infinite dignity” equal to Christ. (Then Christ sacrifice and atonement becomes unnecessary.)
Rejecting the death penalty: “We must recognize the firm rejection of the death penalty to recognize….the inalienable dignity of every human being.” (Every pope and Council before 1950 promoted the death penalty as an aspect of justice in any civilized society.)
Pope Francis’ scandalous and heretical interpretations of the Holy Spirit:
- Pope Francis makes reference to the ‘Holy Spirit of Surprises’ in justifying the approval of non-Catholic and heretical policies at the Synod of Synodalities. (With this logic, anything can be approved at this Synod. This notion insults the Holy Spirit, whom that we may abide in truth. [Jn.14:16-18])
- In Papua New Guinea Pope Francis makes reference to the Holy Spirit being challenged by human conditions. (How is the Holy Spirit responsible for man’s condition?)
- Pope Francis stated, “Every religion is a way to arrive to God. Each has a language to arrive at God. Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, they are different paths.” (This statement is an illustration of the heresy of indifferentism: that all religions are equally valid paths to God.)
The German bishops have been “reforming” and “renewing” their German Church into full-blown doctrinal heresy and error.
Rather than criticizing the German bishops’ DOCTRINAL HERESY, Pope Francis criticizes the German bishops for “MOVING TOO FAST IN THEIR ‘REFORM’ AND ‘RENEWAL’ of the German Church. Evidently Pope Francis ALSO WANTS TO GET THERE but he wants the German bishops to “slow-walk” their process. Pope Francis typically seeks to make himself look moderate in comparison to others who want to move faster (German bishops). Proof: Vatican’ slower efforts ==> Fiducia Supplicans (non-liturgical blessings for same-sex unions!
How does Pope Francis respond to the German bishops’ “fully” blessing same-sex couples? (by slow-walking this process!)
- Allow for “non-liturgical” blessings” for same-sex couples.
- Same sex unions must necessarily be referred to as “irregular couples” (to remove its social stigma).
- We then must now have new and updated Catholic social theology to allow for “irregular couples” to be recognized as a new valid marriage relationship.
- Once these “irregular couples” are recognized and accepted, then liturgical blessings can be allowed.
Worldliness: Pope Francis’ Vatican looks more like an United Nations NGO rather than a Church that brings souls to heaven.
“Liberal Catholics are the worst enemies of the Church.” Pope Pius IX
“Modernism is the synthesis of all heresies.” Pope Pius X (SO VERY PROPHETIC!!!)
If you are interested in learning more about Pope Pius X’s prophetic warnings about Modernism and the Modernists https://resoundingthefaith.com/2024/01/29/17119/
Fun fact: Pope Pius X (June 2, 1835- August 20, 1914) is the first saint ever filmed. https://x.com/i/status/1831003825433649380