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Definitions: Apostasy vs Heresy vs Defilement

This page defines key terms as used on Christian at the Edge. These definitions are descriptive, not permissive, and exist to prevent category confusion and equivocation.

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1) Apostasy

Definition: Apostasy is the willful and conscious rejection of God’s authority after previously knowing and affirming it.

Key markers

  • Prior knowledge of the truth
  • Deliberate denial or repudiation
  • Rejection of Christ’s lordship or transfer of allegiance to another spiritual authority

What apostasy is not

  • Temptation, doubt, confusion, or curiosity
  • Ritual action by itself (no “mechanical” reversal)
  • Moral failure while still acknowledging God’s authority
Core references:
  • Hebrews 6:4–6 — falling away after real exposure
  • Hebrews 10:26–29 — willful repudiation after knowledge
  • 1 Timothy 4:1 — departing from the faith
  • 2 Peter 2:20–22 — returning after knowing Christ

2) Heresy

Definition: Heresy is the distortion, alteration, or promotion of false doctrine within a religious framework.

What makes something heresy

  • Incorrect belief taught as truth
  • Redefining boundaries to make forbidden things “legitimate”
  • Misrepresenting doctrine to normalize error

What heresy is not

  • Admitting a practice is wrong (confession is not doctrine)
  • Acknowledging Scripture while violating it
  • Boundary analysis that explicitly calls the practice forbidden
Context notes: Heresy is typically addressed through correction, rebuke, and repentance (e.g., doctrinal conflicts addressed in Galatians and 1 Corinthians). It can harden into apostasy if it culminates in denial or allegiance transfer.

3) Defilement

Definition: Defilement is covenant contamination caused by engaging in practices God explicitly forbids, without yet rejecting His authority.

Markers

  • Violation of covenant boundaries
  • Spiritual contamination / uncleanness
  • Disobedience without explicit allegiance transfer

Familiar spirits and defilement

Scripture consistently places consultation with familiar spirits in the category of defilement and abomination, not automatic apostasy.

Core references:
  • Leviticus 19:31 — defilement from familiar spirits
  • Leviticus 20:6 — turning after them (directional language)
  • Deuteronomy 18:10–12 — abomination classification

4) How these categories relate

Category Definition (short) Status
Defilement Covenant contamination by forbidden practice Covenant violation
Heresy False doctrine promoted as legitimate truth Doctrinal distortion
Apostasy Willful rejection or allegiance transfer after knowledge Covenant rejection

Direction matters

  • Defilement can lead toward apostasy if it becomes reliance or submission.
  • Heresy can harden into apostasy if it culminates in denial of Christ or allegiance transfer.
  • Apostasy is the end state, not the starting label.
Key principle: Scripture judges allegiance more than labels, and direction more than isolated moments of violation.

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