Ben QuashHeresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe

This is a very readable book, owing to the fact that each chapter was originally a sermon, which had actually been preached, not just written. Each chapter details a different heresy following the same pattern: What is it, what are the key Scriptures concerning it (whether supportive or destructive), then the sermon itself detailing the historical form the heresy took and in fulfillment of the title, a how to avoid them today. A strength of this book is the sometimes sympathetic look it gives to the heretic himself. It is not the case with all heretics of the early church that they simply wanted to destroy the truth or somehow distort it for personal profit. Many of the men labeled heretic were as sincere about their faith as the orthodox opponents who eventually triumphed over them. They were just wrong. An excellent aspect of the chapters is that they provide some perspective on the "what if" factor of the heretic. What if Arius was right, what would that mean to Christianity? This brings the reader into the debate and allows him or her to understand that these teachings were not declared heretical because they differed from the people in power, but because they really were contrary to the consistent teaching of Christ.The format of the book makes it a quick book to read. The information packed into each chapter is definitely worth keeping on hand. This book will become a handy reference for those who confuse all the heretical -isms; one chapter per heresy makes it easy to find what you're looking for. The only criticism I have is that the last part of every chapter was devoted to seeing how each heresy was present today and how to avoid it, and this seemed a little forced in some of the chapters. For example, chapter 4 on Eutychianism, the author was forced to concede that this was not a prevalent heresy today, even though he continued from there to tell the reader how to avoid it.

I picked up this book based on a reference to it by Kevin DeYoung. Little did I know what would be inside once I started reading it.This is NOT to say that this book is unhelpful. There are some very good insights, especially in the Christological Heresies section, that anyone can draw from. The authors do a good job of towing the historical line and pointing out why these Heresies are wrong. These chapters are short and precise summaries of the heresies and the historical problems that went along with them.So why two stars and not more?Because the authors are fighting against their fight against heretics the whole time. They decide to start the book off by letting us know that heretics "aren't all that bad" and actually help the church "discover" what it really believes. Really? You couldn't exactly argue against a heretic if you didn't know what you believed now could you? Included in this is the presupposition that Scripture doesn't actually clearly teach (and thus the Disciples didn't know) these nuanced positions. The authors prove this very idea incorrect by their use of Scripture to disprove the heresies!Also, the idea of painting a heretic as a mistaken individual who just thought too much in the wrong direction is also misguiding for any reader of this book. Heretics, in the face of the authority of the Church, held firm to their views, and thus were disciplined for it. If it was honest dialogue, the heretic would have (and sometimes did) give up the fight and humbly accept correction. The fact that they did not proves that they were, as Christ warns, wolves in sheep's clothing. In some ways, it seems that the Liberal Theologians are defending their own errant theology by playing down the dangers of such differences.Why the authors seem to go out of their way to NOT paint these heretics as dangerous wolves is a disservice to any Christian reading this book to inform their faith. Heresies ARE dangerous and shouldn't be treated lightly. However when the people evaluating these heresies object merely on the grounds of the definition of the Christian faith, that is what happens. To these authors, one gets the impression this is merely an academic exercise, and not about the eternal destiny of souls. This is why in particular the Marcion chapter by Angela Tilby, while taking cheap shots at Conservative Christians, completely leaves out the Gospel. She wants to say the Old Testament and Law are important for guidance, but drops the ball in pointing out that in Jesus and the cross is found where Law and Gospel meet, Love and Justice exercised at the same time. That IS the Gospel, and she doesn't even mention it.I also found that the lack of coverage for Trinitarian Heresies to be a little disturbing, but I know that no book can cover all things in every way. So if you're interested in Unitarianism or Macedonianism, you'll have to look elsewhere.So what do we do with this book if you aren't a Mainstream Liberal Christian? Go into it knowing what you're going to be reading. Concise summaries and helpful critiques of heresies, but an all too friendly purely academic approach to them. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox authors do a much better job than the Liberal Protestants in their individual chapters, but that goes along with all I've said above. So if you use this for a Sunday School, make sure to supplement it with other materials and perhaps just use this in your own study, not in the class.

This is an excellent and highly readable review of the common heresies encountered today in many conversations. It addresses the matters of the differing positions on the divinity of Jesus and the humanity of Christ and the actual physical reality of the Incarnation quite well. I have been reading this type of material in more scholarly presentations for quite some time (since college actually) because of encounters with proponents of these beliefs. Not since Dorothy L. Sayers' dealings with the matters have I had so much enjoyment in the reading. While these essays lack some of the pungency and wit of Ms. Sayers, they share in her remarkable ability to communicate clearly and well the matter at hand, the orthodox response, and the explication of the orthodox response. I have thoroughly enjoyed this material and unreservedly recommend it to the seeker, the pastor, and the teacher. It is worth every cent of the cost and every moment spent perusing and re-reading!5 stars!!!!!

This new paperback book, "Heresies and How to Avoid Them", arrived within four days, an example of excellent customer service. I am thoroughly pleased to recommend this seller.This book is a good research tool for people of Christian beliefs and for Christian academics who need to ensure their Christian beliefs have not accidentally or inadvertently slipped into heresy, with the best of intentions, without being cognizant of it, for example, misunderstanding the Trinity, or the concept of free will in freeing oneself from original sin and temptation.

The lack of depth shows that this indeed was taken from a series of interconnected sermons. The coverage of heresies is broad and quite informative. Many of the heresies continue to have a measure of relevance today. Several are well connected to our current world. I really enjoyed the book. Well worth the time.

There are short contributions from various writers/thinkers and Ben Quash is the editor of the volume. It is very hit-and-miss. Some contributors are great, others are very dull. Good for giving a brief overview of what the heresies are. Not so good at explaining clearly and analytically about why they are still important - in the main it is in that modern, nebulous, style of Anglican theology. Oh how I wish we had figures like Gore, Ramsey, and Temple in the Church today!

Deals with most of the 'isms' (Donatism, gnosticism etc..) and the councils that tried to explain these complex issues. It does this well. Gives a potted history of Christology and is very readable as it is written as a series of short sermons which tackle the subject of heresy (I did not know that even some heresies can be good!!) and gives a great guide for those who are studying Christology or are tackling the complex issues through house groups, cell groups or in sermons.

As theology books go it's excellent. Brief easily comprehensible summary of complex issues without oversimplification and leaves you something to think about without boggling the brain too much. Impressed

This is an excellent book particularly for students, giving a very accessible insight to the beliefs of the Early Church Fsthers.I did not give it a 5 because the book arrived with the covering on the back cover was beginning to peel back.

Each heresy was looked st by a different writer. Each presented in their own style. Well written, tackled difficult subjects intelligibly.