Century / Date
Heresy
Key Leaders
Core Teaching / Error
Late 1st c. Cerinthianism Cerinthus Jesus was a man; “Christ” descended at baptism; denied incarnation
Late 1st – 2nd c. Ebionism Ebionites Jesus fully human; strict Mosaic law; denied divinity
Late 1st – 2nd c. Docetism Valentinus’ followers Jesus only seemed human; denied true humanity
1st – 3rd c. Gnosticism Valentinus, Basilides Salvation via secret knowledge; material world evil
2nd c. Adoptionism Theodotus, Paul of Samosata Jesus “adopted” as Son; denied eternal divinity
Mid 2nd c. Marcionism Marcion of Sinope Rejected Old Testament; divided God into two
2nd – 3rd c. Patripassionism Praxeas Father suffered on the cross; confused Trinity
Early 3rd c. Modalism / Sabellianism Sabellius God is one person with three modes; denied distinctions in Trinity
3rd c. Monarchianism Praxeas, Noetus Overemphasis on God’s oneness; denied relational Trinity
3rd c. Subordinationism Origen, Arius Son is lesser than Father; denied full deity
Early 4th c. Arianism Arius Jesus created being; denied co-eternity with Father
4th c. Apollinarianism Apollinaris of Laodicea Divine mind replaced human soul; denied full humanity
Late 4th – 5th c. Pelagianism Pelagius Humans can obey law without grace; denied original sin
5th c. Semi-Pelagianism John Cassian, Faustus of Riez Humans cooperate to initiate salvation
5th c. Nestorianism Nestorius Two persons in Christ; denied unity of natures
5th c. Eutychianism / Monophysitism Eutyches Human nature absorbed into divine; denied true humanity
5th c. Melchisedechians Unknown Melchizedek superior to Christ; denied Christ’s eternal priesthood
5th c. onward Psilanthropism Various Jesus only a man; denied divinity
Ancient–Medieval Henotheism / Kathenotheism Various Worship one god among many or one at a time; denied monotheism
3rd–7th c. Manichaeism Mani Dualism; Jesus, a prophet, denied creation’s goodness
4th–6th c. Donatism Donatus Magnus Sacraments are valid only if the minister is pure; undermined grace
4th–5th c. Collyridianism Unknown Worshiped Mary with bread offerings; idolatry
1st c. onward Antinomianism Various Believers are exempt from moral law; misunderstood grace
16th–17th c. Socinianism Fausto & Laelio Sozzini Denied Trinity; Jesus is human only
19th c. Kenosis Modern theologians Jesus gave up divine attributes; misread Philippians 2
Various Tritheism Various Father, Son, Spirit as three gods; denied unity
12th–13th c. Albigensianism / Catharism Cathars Two gods: good and evil; denied incarnation, creation is good.