The Concept of Heresy — emergence and development

Abstract

The purpose of the author is to solve three main problems in this study: 1) to trace back the rise of the term in historiography; 2) to reveal its essence; 3) to examine its development in research literature. 
On the basis of а great number of documents the author explains that the concept of heresy has its origin in the ancient Greek philosophical literature as а symbol of the various philosophical, ideological and religious ideas directed against the official culture. It is proved that the church which fights formally against the old pagan culture adopts the concept of heresy and gives а new meaning to it. Its is specified that all the deviations from the official Christian religion are regarded as heretical. In conclusion the author explains the evolution of the term in historiography. Some of the incorrect statements about heresy are subject to critical evaluation.