Test Your Belief - Heresy Quiz

Gnosticism is the correct answer because it aligns with the idea that salvation is dependent on possessing secret knowledge that is only accessible to a chosen few. Gnostics believed that salvation could be attained through the acquisition of this hidden knowledge, which was believed to liberate the soul from the material world and its limitations. This belief system emerged in the early Christian era and was considered a heresy by mainstream Christianity.

Semi-Pelagianism is the correct answer. Semi-Pelagianism is a heresy that suggests that while God's grace is necessary for salvation, human beings can take the first step towards God without the aid of grace. This belief undermines the idea that salvation is solely dependent on God's grace and implies that human effort can play a role in initiating the salvation process.

Nestorianism is the correct answer because it refers to the belief that Jesus is two distinct persons, rather than one person with two natures. This heresy originated in the 5th century and was condemned by the early Christian church as it contradicted the orthodox understanding of the nature of Christ. According to Nestorianism, Jesus had a human nature and a divine nature that were separate and not fully united in one person. This belief was deemed heretical as it undermined the unity and divinity of Christ.

Arianism is the correct answer because it refers to the ancient heresy that Jesus was just a creature and not truly divine. Arianism was a theological belief held by Arius, a Christian priest, in the 4th century. He argued that Jesus, although highly exalted, was a created being and not equal to God the Father in nature. This belief was condemned as heretical by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which affirmed the divinity of Jesus as being of the same substance (homoousios) as God the Father.

Antinomianism is the correct answer because it refers to the belief that one can be saved by faith alone, without the need for obedience to moral laws or regulations. This idea suggests that repentance and a change in lifestyle are unnecessary for salvation, which goes against the teachings of Christianity. Antinomianism is considered a heresy because it undermines the importance of moral conduct and the transformation of one's life that should result from true repentance.

Pelagianism is the correct answer because it refers to the heretical belief that humans can achieve salvation through their own efforts without the need for divine grace. It denies the concept of original sin and asserts that individuals have the ability to live a sinless life and earn their salvation through good works. This belief contradicts the Christian doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Marcionism is the correct answer because it refers to the ancient heresy that believed the God of the Old Testament was different from the God of the New Testament. Marcion, a second-century theologian, taught that the Old Testament God was a harsh and vengeful deity, while the New Testament God was a loving and forgiving one. This belief was considered heretical by the early Christian church and was ultimately rejected.

Donatism is an ancient heresy that believed a baptism performed by a minister who has sinned is invalid. This belief originated in the 4th century and was prominent in North Africa. According to Donatists, the purity and holiness of the minister were essential for the efficacy of the sacraments. They argued that sacraments performed by sinful ministers had no spiritual value. This belief was condemned by the Catholic Church, which maintained that the validity of sacraments depended on the intention of the minister, not their personal righteousness.

Sabellianism is the correct answer because it refers to the belief that the Persons of the Trinity are not three separate Persons, but rather three modes of being. This view, also known as Modalism, teaches that God manifests Himself in different forms or modes at different times, but is not three distinct Persons. Sabellianism was considered a heresy by the early Christian church because it denied the distinctiveness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Montanism was an ancient heresy that believed the Holy Spirit manifested himself through a particular person in the second century. This belief was considered heretical because it deviated from mainstream Christian teachings about the Holy Spirit's nature and role. Montanism emphasized the importance of prophecy and claimed that its leaders were divinely inspired. This belief was rejected by the early church and considered a departure from orthodox Christianity.