VELCHIN

CHURCH HISTORY & DISCERNMENT

Christian Heresies

A guide to major doctrinal errors, where they arose, how the historic church answered them, and how similar ideas can appear today.

Browse all 30 See the origins chart Take the theology checkup

What Is Heresy?

In historic Christianity, heresy is not merely a disagreement, an unusual opinion, or a secondary denominational difference. It is a teaching that contradicts a central truth of the apostolic faith, especially the identity of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the gospel, or salvation.

This guide is written from a historic Nicene Christian perspective. It distinguishes formal ancient heresies from later movements, recurring doctrinal errors, and modern teachings that echo older patterns. Similarity does not always mean direct historical descent.

THE DIRECTORY

Thirty teachings to know

30 topics

01

Early 4th century, Alexandria

Arianism

Jesus is not eternally God in the same sense as the Father; the Son was created or had a beginning.

Alexandria, EgyptArius
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02

2nd–3rd centuries

Sabellianism / Modalism

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three distinct persons, but modes, roles, or manifestations of one God.

Rome and the early Mediterranean churchPraxeas; Sabellius
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03

2nd–3rd centuries; later 8th-century Spain

Adoptionism

Jesus was born a mere man and later adopted as God’s Son at His baptism, resurrection, or exaltation.

Early Mediterranean churches and SpainEbionite and Dynamic Monarchian groups; Elipandus of Toledo
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04

1st–2nd centuries

Docetism

Jesus only seemed to possess a real human body; His humanity and suffering were appearances.

Eastern Mediterranean and early Gnostic circlesNo single founder
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05

1st–2nd centuries

Gnosticism

Salvation comes through secret spiritual knowledge, often alongside a dualism that treats matter as evil or inferior.

Mediterranean worldValentinus; Basilides; others
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06

2nd century

Marcionism

The God of the Old Testament is not the same as the Father of Jesus Christ.

Rome; Marcion came from PontusMarcion of Pontus
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08

2nd century

Montanism

New prophecy from the Spirit carried special authority and announced an imminent end.

Phrygia, Asia MinorMontanus; Prisca/Priscilla; Maximilla
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10

4th century

Apollinarianism

Jesus had a human body but not a complete rational human soul or mind; the divine Logos filled that place.

Laodicea and the Eastern Roman EmpireApollinaris of Laodicea
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11

5th century

Nestorianism

Christ’s divine and human natures are separated so sharply that He is treated almost as two persons.

Constantinople and the Eastern Roman EmpireNestorius
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14

5th century

Pelagianism

Human beings can obey God and choose righteousness without the necessity of inward saving grace.

Rome and North Africa; Pelagius was BritishPelagius
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15

5th century

Semi-Pelagianism

Grace is necessary, but the first movement toward salvation begins in unaided human free will.

Southern GaulOften associated with John Cassian, though that label is debated
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16

Early 4th century

Donatism

The validity of ministry and sacraments depends upon the moral purity of the minister.

North Africa, especially CarthageDonatus; controversy surrounding Caecilian
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17

3rd century

Novatianism

Christians guilty of grave post-baptismal sins, especially apostasy under persecution, could not be restored to communion.

RomeNovatian
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19

Medieval period

Catharism / Albigensianism

A medieval dualist movement sharply dividing spirit and matter and commonly regarding matter as evil.

Southern France and parts of EuropeNo single founder; Cathar communities and “perfects”
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20

16th century Radical Reformation

Socinianism / Unitarianism

Denies the Trinity and commonly Christ’s eternal deity, substitutionary atonement, and original sin.

Poland, Transylvania, and EuropeFausto Sozzini / Faustus Socinus
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23

New Testament era and recurring later forms

Antinomianism

Because Christians are under grace, moral obedience does not matter.

Recurring across Christian historyNo single founder
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27

A recurring temptation in every era

Syncretism

Christianity is mixed with incompatible pagan, occult, New Age, nationalist, or folk-spiritual systems.

GlobalNo single founder
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30

A recurring drift rather than one movement

“Christless Christianity”

Church becomes self-help, politics, therapy, activism, entertainment, or moral improvement with little or no gospel.

Churches in many modern culturesNo single founder
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2026 WATCH LIST

Old errors often wear modern clothes

Arianism: Jesus is important, but not fully God.

Modalism: Father, Son, and Spirit are merely roles.

Pelagianism: People are basically good and only need coaching.

Marcionism: Christianity should unhitch from the Old Testament.

Gnosticism: Secret codes and elite revelation unlock truth.

Montanism: “God told me” is allowed to outrank Scripture.

Prosperity gospel: Faith guarantees money, healing, and success.

Antinomianism: Grace means holiness no longer matters.

Legalism: Christ plus our rules equals salvation.

Pluralism: Jesus is one saving way among many.