Video | Heresy: A Matter of the Heart
Jul 28, 2026
New Testament scholar Dennis R. Edwards argues that while much scholarly attention is given to conflicts around doctrinal heresy in the early church, the authors of 1 John, 2 Peter, and Jude emphasize a failure to know and live like Jesus as the greatest threat to their communities.
Dennis R. Edwards argues that while texts such as 1 John and 2 Peter are often examined as responses to specific doctrinal heresies (such as Docetism and Gnosticism) that troubled the early church, these analyses overlook the ethical concerns foregrounded by the texts themselves. This suggests that the true nature of heresy lies not in the mind but in the heart—and that the greatest threat to Christian community is not intellectual error about Jesus, but a failure to be transformed by Jesus.
This lecture is part of Regent’s Evening Public Lecture series for Summer 2026. Visit rgnt.net/epl to learn more!