R
rinnie
Guest
I think you could be right. Scripture states they could not find sin on him but killed him anyway.The “the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God” is the former
“someone who believes or teaches something that goes against accepted or official beliefs” is the latter per websters dictionary. They can overlap, for Christ I think was accused of both somewhat.
The difference IMHO is Christ was accused of being a heretic because he claimed to be God. The proof he was not a heretic is he was God. He was also accused once again falsely of teaching something that went against their accepted beliefs. As Christ said I did not come to change the law I came to fulfill it. He never went against the word of God, but knew their intentions for trying to trick him because he is indeed God.
As far as the Church accusing someone of being a heretic they do have that authority. Not of killing anyone as I pray we agree on now.
But they have the same authority to decide a heretic according to the RCC.
I think the problem here also comes is if they use their authority to call one a heretic are they guilty for the outcome of the call.
And once again only God can judge each and every single person on his standards not ours. So no one can say what the Holy Spirit will say.
I personally cannot see if someone had authority and used it in truth and did the best they felt in their heart that God will have mercy on them if they were wrong. Because unfortunately with humans come human sin and human failings. No one can say if a human makes a human decision it is divine.
But God knows a heart you can’t fool him and only he can judge not us.