Thread by @crustyoldean

As we head towards #TrinitySunday and the inevitable "LOL all these preacherz doing heresiez" theology shaming, as someone [checks bookshelf] who did an entire PhD on topic of heresy and orthodoxy, here's short rundown on how I've seen "heresy" normally used on this website: 1/

"My idealized presentation of my theological understanding contrasted with an unfaithful representation of yours" 2/

"Startled and threatened by a theological topic I had never heard of before that challenges something in me, I find a way to associate yours, even tangentially, with something discredited rather than engage it" 3/

"Quoting canons from ecumenical councils as unimpeachable and unquestioned evidence in support of my understanding without historical context when the same councils also endorsed horrific things I do not hold to" 4/

"Taking a particular interpretation of a theological issue as defined in a particular historical era, but not acknowledging subsequent theological reappraisals of that issue, but criticizing you for taking into account changing historical context in your opinion." 5/

"I haven't really bothered to understand your position, and if you question me I probably don't even understand my own, but a beloved and opinionated seminary professor/clergy mentor taught me this and that's how I learned to laugh and sneer as part of theological signalling" 6/

"I call your opinion racist/classist/sexist when in fact actual racists, misogynists, and economic elites were the ones who propounded and enforced my theological opinion." 7/

And I really could spend all day doing this. Not that there aren't real theological differences and important discussions about boundaries and doctrinal development, but the overwhelming preponderance of "heresy" and "orthodoxy" discourse is eisegetical nonsense. 8/

And BTW I enjoy preaching on #TrinitySunday. Enjoy, y'all. And: 9/

You got it Whitney. Some of the #Receipts /End

brill.com/view/title/114…
proquest.com/docview/215265…
jstor.org/stable/i271394
degruyter.com/document/doi/1…