Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion you should be able to:

• Prove that orthodox doctrine preceded heresy in the early church

• Explain Gnosticism and the varied beliefs of its main proponents

• Describe the Apostle Paul’s opponents, their agendas and how Paul responded to them

• Appreciate the contribution of ancient Christians who helped future generations better understand the nature of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• Recognize the footprint of ancient heresies in today’s religious diversity

Course Outline

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: What Is Heresy and Orthodoxy?

• Overview: Why Study Heresy?

• Heresy in the Graeco-Roman World (Part 1)

• Heresy in the Graeco-Roman World (Part 2)

• Heresy and Judaism (Part 1)

• Heresy and Judaism (Part 2)

• Unity and Diversity in the Early Church (Part 1)

• Unity and Diversity in the Early Church (Part 2)

• Unity and Diversity in the Early Church (Part 3)

• Did Heresy Precede Orthodoxy? (Part 1)

• Did Heresy Precede Orthodoxy? (Part 2)

• Did Heresy Precede Orthodoxy? (Part 3)

Unit 2: Paul’s Opponents

• Introduction to Paul

• Was There a Jewish Legalism? (Part 1)

• Was There a Jewish Legalism? (Part 2)

• Does Jesus Top Up Moses, or Displace Moses?

• The Jerusalem Council

• The Incident at Antioch

• Galatians

• Philippians

• Second Corinthians

• Colossians

• Letters to Timothy and Titus

Unit 3: Other Heresies in the New Testament Era

• Overview of Other Heresies in the New Testament Era

• Hebrews

• Jude and Second Peter

• Churches of Revelation

Unit 4: “Other Christianities”

• Overview of “Other Christianities”

• Docetists

• Ebionites

• Adoptionism

• Christ as Angel

Unit 5: Gnostics, Montanists and Modalists

• Gnosticism 101 (Part 1)

• Gnosticism 101 (Part 2)

• Simon Magus

• Egypt: Basilides, Carpocrates and Valentinus

• Saturninus (Antioch) and Cerinthus (Ephesus)

• Marcion

• Gnostic Writings

• Montanists

• Modalists

Unit 6: Later Heresies and Controversies

• Logos from John to Justin to Origen

• Arius

• Council of Nicaea

• The Divine and Human Natures of Christ (Part 1)

• The Divine and Human Natures of Christ (Part 2)

• How to Spot and Avoid Heresies

Conclusion

• Discerning True and False Expressions of Faith

Details

• Title: CH351 History of Heresies

• Instructor: Michael F. Bird

• Publisher: Lexham Press

• Publication Date: 2017

• Product Type: Logos Mobile Education

• Resource Type: Courseware, including transcripts, audio, and video resources

• Courses: 1

• Video Hours: 7