The God of Peace and the Chaos of False Religion

Throughout history, sincere followers of Christ have been misunderstood and maligned. Those who live with integrity and conviction are often mocked as hypocrites or fanatics; not because they deceive, but because they refuse to conform to corruption or compromise truth.

Still today, people who walk humbly with God are slandered for doing what is right. Their reputations are destroyed by those who claim to defend purity, yet act from pride and ambition. Under the banner of righteousness, many have pursued power, not peace; injuring others with words while claiming to guard the Gospel.

The result is tragic: faith grows cold, love fades, and the world mocks the church for its hypocrisy. Yet among the faithful, there remain voices that grieve and pray for renewal; a reformation born not of pride, but of grace, where unity is restored through humility and love.

The Faith of the Apostles

The apostles and their first disciples proclaimed one clear message: the truth of God for all people. They taught it openly to every nation, revealing the mysteries of God as no generation since has been privileged to know. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they left behind teachings and writings that remain our example and foundation today.

The prophets and patriarchs before them were also filled with the Spirit of Christ. Scripture testifies that they foresaw His suffering and the glory that would follow. The early teachers of the faith, recognizing this divine continuity, established the canon of Scripture; the rule by which all teachings were to be tested.

From the beginning, the whole of Holy Scripture; as we possess it now; was acknowledged, preserved, and handed down by the power of God through the faithfulness of His church. In it, the apostles included everything necessary for salvation. Nothing essential is missing, and nothing added since can be called divine truth.

Even now, the Word of God remains sufficient. Through it, the Holy Spirit speaks, reveals, and saves. Everything needed for faith and eternal life is contained within its pages.

Therefore, all who claim to bring “new revelations” beyond what the apostles gave have departed from the rule of faith and fallen into error. Every self-proclaimed prophet or “infallible man” must be tested by the unchanging Word of God. Whatever does not agree with Scripture; no matter how persuasive or spiritual it appears; must be rejected as false and deceptive.

For the Word of God stands forever. It does not need to be rewritten or replaced; it only needs to be believed and lived.

The apostles and early disciples, guided by the Holy Spirit, laid the pure foundation of Christian faith. Enlightened by Christ Himself, they received and declared the fullness of truth; truth that still stands complete in the written Word of God.

If this is so, what need have we of new revelations or human inventions? The Scriptures contain all that is necessary for faith and salvation, confirmed in the hearts of believers by the Spirit of God.

History shows that many called “heretics” were not enemies of truth but defenders of it. They were condemned not for denying the Gospel, but for resisting the corruption and pride that distorted it. The real question, then, is whether the decrees of councils and church leaders are always right; and whether any human authority can add to or alter the faith once delivered to the saints.

The true measure of every doctrine remains the Word of God. Traditions, ceremonies, and laws that arise from human ambition must be tested against Scripture and the teaching of Christ. To follow Him faithfully is to return to the first, simple, apostolic truth; the Gospel that calls us to humility, holiness, and love.

Again and again, history reveals that those accused of error were often nearer to God’s will than their judges. Outward peace and power mean nothing beside truth and obedience. For the true Church is not built on authority or ambition, but on faithfulness to the living Word of God.

Judging with Mercy

History is full of people wrongly condemned as heretics; not through fair judgment or clear evidence, but through pride, ignorance, and haste. Others, equally guilty or worse, often escaped punishment altogether.

Many once labeled heretics were in truth defenders of holiness, resisting the falsehood and corruption of their age.

Those quick to accuse should beware, lest they fall into the same sin; persecuting truth while believing they defend it. The apostles never forced belief by violence, but taught through the Spirit and by love. Harsh judgment and coercion have no place in the kingdom of Christ.

Throughout history, the so-called “orthodox” have often done greater harm to unity than those they condemned, driving away the faithful and dividing the church. In many cases, those accused lived more righteously than their judges.

True faith is never preserved through fear or force. Compulsion hardens the heart, but love opens it. The Gospel calls us not to destroy but to restore; not to crush the erring, but to lead them gently back to truth.

The cruelty done in the name of religion has brought deep shame on Christianity. The world has looked on and asked how followers of the gentle Christ could act with such violence. Yet Christ came not to condemn but to save.

Mercy, Not Judgment

Jesus Christ, our only merciful High Priest, revealed what divine love truly is. He did not shun sinners or condemn the lost; He sought them out and led them to repentance.

History offers few, if any, examples of heretics condemned with perfect justice. Most such judgments have been marked by pride, fear, and misunderstanding rather than by truth. Many of the accused were innocent; some even forced, under persecution, to deny what they knew to be right. Christ Himself was condemned by the wise and powerful of His day. Should His followers expect better treatment?

Those who persecute others for conscience’s sake cannot rightly call themselves Christians. In doing so, they betray the command of Christ: “Bless those who curse you; do good to those who hate you.” Through pride and ambition, many leaders have darkened the light of faith, bringing greater shame upon the church than any of its supposed enemies.

The apostles warned that false teachers would arise, twisting truth for power. This happens whenever love is replaced by control and mercy by pride. It is far wiser, and far more Christian, to approach one another with humility; testing all things by the Word of God and the fruits of a person’s life.

Christ’s kingdom is not upheld by fear or force but by the quiet strength of love and truth. Mercy, not judgment, reveals His heart. For we are called not to destroy but to heal; to speak truth with compassion, and to shine light where others bring only fire.

When Religion Turns to Violence

Should councils or religious conferences, held by only one side and based on their own authority, be considered valid? Surely not. Such judgments, built on human opinion rather than divine truth, cannot stand before God.

In all the so-called Christian courts; inquisitions, consistories, and commissions; has there ever truly been a just and righteous trial, free from passion, deceit, and prejudice? Have any of these proceedings ever followed the spirit and teaching of Christ?

Too often, the clergy have carried out cruel punishments under the pretense of religious zeal ; acts of violence that resemble pagan brutality more than Christian compassion. These deeds, born not of love but of hatred and envy, reveal that such men trust in worldly power and tyranny rather than in the Word of God or the authority of the Holy Spirit.

Over time, mere ceremonies and human traditions have been exalted above the simple truth of faith. The kingdom of Christ has been hindered because outward religion has replaced inward transformation. When authority is used to silence opposing voices through fear, punishment, or exclusion; especially in schools and universities; it shows a tragic distrust of truth itself. Truth does not fear honest inquiry.

Would it not be better if the preaching and discussion of faith were free; conducted reverently and measured by Scripture; so that what is false could be exposed and what is true could stand firm? The foundations of Christian teaching must be reexamined apart from the endless philosophical disputes and scholarly vanities that have clouded the Gospel’s simplicity. Learning should serve godliness, not pride.

Is it just to condemn the unlearned as heretics without first teaching them or allowing them to defend themselves? Should not even simple reason and the conscience of the heart remind church authorities to judge fairly and with patience before pronouncing guilt?

And who can say that cruelty was confined to the Spanish Inquisition alone? Similar injustices have been committed across many lands by those who claimed to be the most devout. History is filled with examples of people once condemned as heretics who were later recognized as faithful servants of God; while those who condemned them were, in time, exposed and shamed.

Where, then, is the command of God or Christ that gives believers the right to persecute, imprison, or kill others for their faith? No such command exists. These are purely human inventions; the products of fear and arrogance, not the will of God.

The true disciple of Christ should endure persecution rather than inflict it. The teacher who follows the Lord’s example will suffer injustice patiently, trusting in God’s vindication rather than seeking revenge.

This bitter, bloodthirsty zeal; hiding beneath the cloak of religion; has caused more ruin to Christianity than open unbelief or persecution by pagans ever did. For the Scriptures testify that persecution has always come not from the faithful, but from false teachers and hypocrites: those who appear devout outwardly but are inwardly full of envy and hatred.

Such hypocrisy is unmistakable proof that these persecutors are strangers to true godliness. They do not resemble Christ, who blessed His enemies and forgave those who crucified Him. They may wear holy robes and speak sacred words, but their hearts betray them; for they persecute rather than teach, condemn rather than bless.

It is therefore the persecuted, not the persecutors, who most closely follow Christ. They share in His sufferings for righteousness’ sake, and their endurance is their testimony. The judgment of men may brand them as heretics, but before God they stand as faithful witnesses; patient, humble, and beloved.

And so, whenever religion becomes cruel; when it seeks to destroy rather than heal, to silence rather than understand; it ceases to be Christ’s. True faith needs no sword to defend it, no prison to enforce it. Its only power is the Word of God and the love that conquers by truth.

When Zeal Becomes Corruption

We must ask honestly: have those who claim to defend the faith truly done so for the honor of God and the good of others; or for their own advancement, influence, and reputation?

Has pure love for truth always guided their zeal? Or has bitterness, envy, and ambition often crept in; driving them to seek a name for themselves as “defenders of the faith” rather than servants of God?

How many have, under the pretense of religion, persecuted and condemned others not from conviction but from a desire for favor, applause, or power? How many have stirred up discord, claiming to fight for truth, while in reality serving their own pride?

Some have cloaked ambition, greed, or revenge in the garments of piety. Others have harmed and oppressed their opponents while pretending to act for God. Their actions have revealed that their zeal was not for righteousness but for control.

And what of those secret gatherings and secret societies; like the Gnostics or Freemasons and others of old; who hide behind mystery and claim special revelation? These movements, born of pride and secrecy, have repeatedly returned to sow confusion and harm among the people.

Worse still, the rejection of “heretics” has often been used as a convenient excuse to oppress the innocent. Many have been condemned and punished unjustly, in clear violation of Christian love and fairness.

Meanwhile, others have remained silent out of fear. By refusing to speak truth or defend the innocent, they have become guilty by their silence. Some, fearing persecution or loss, have even denied what they believed; outwardly agreeing with lies to protect their safety or possessions. Yet Christ Himself said, “Whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father in heaven.”

Such hypocrisy is no small matter. It has led countless ordinary believers into doubt and confusion, leaving them uncertain in their faith and wounded in conscience.

The result of all this has been division, strife, and ruin. Entire cities and nations have been shaken by religious quarrels. Bitterness and slander have poured forth from the mouths of those who claim to serve Christ; and the wrath of God has fallen upon the Christian world because of it.

Experience has shown that the Gospel has been hindered more by these uncharitable disputes than by open unbelief. Hatred and envy darken the light of truth; the Gospel cannot shine where malice reigns.

Even rulers, who were meant to preserve peace and unity, have often become instruments of oppression; using their power to suppress truth and silence godly voices. By their command, faithful teachers and preachers have been cast down, imprisoned, or killed. And history has shown that such persecution of the righteous always brings divine judgment. God Himself has said: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.”

Envy and religious strife have caused more harm to Christianity than any army or outside enemy. Wars, rebellions, and civil unrest have often been born from the quarrels of those who claimed to fight for God but were driven by ego and pride. Instead of peace, they brought hatred; instead of faith, fear; instead of unity, destruction.

When Zeal Breeds Destruction

History shows that countless wars, rebellions, and divisions have grown from religious quarrels. Entire nations have been torn apart by disputes that began in pride and ended in ruin. The political and social fallout of such strife has brought untold misery to innocent people, dragging many into suffering in the name of faith.

What good has ever come from persecution? It has produced only fear, hypocrisy, and hatred; never true faith or holiness. Many honest seekers have turned away from Christianity altogether, unable to reconcile its message of love with the cruelty done under its name. The wisdom of God has been blasphemed by those who claimed to serve Him, yet acted with more brutality than unbelievers.

Time and again, those who condemned others “for God’s sake” have themselves been exposed as guilty. Their zeal was not born of faith, but of arrogance and self-love. Under the cloak of orthodoxy, greed and ambition have often thrived. Some have even twisted the truth of God for political gain, deceiving the simple and corrupting the gold of faith into worthless dross.

But God is not mocked. False zeal and cruelty bring their own judgment. The Lord allows those who act in pride and hypocrisy to fall into confusion, so that their own words condemn them.

For this reason, these hard questions about the past; about persecution, heresy, and hypocrisy; must be faced with honesty and humility. Only by doing so can the church rightly understand its own history and defend the truth.

Such reflection is not an attack on faith, but a service to it. Truth must be measured not by human opinion, but by the unchanging Word of God and the Spirit that still guides those who believe.

For even among those once called heretics were many sincere souls; men and women who sought righteousness and truth, and who suffered unjustly for the sake of conscience.

The Misuse of Religion and the Need for True Discernment

It should be clear to reason that nothing pure or good can come from evil intentions. Even noble motives can become harmful when people act without wisdom.

When it comes to religious freedom, it must be admitted that much abuse has arisen in its name; especially in recent times. Many have claimed liberty not to pursue truth or conscience, but to disguise lawlessness and impiety. The results are plain: wars and persecutions have erupted more often under the pretense of religion than through open hatred or greed. When one person believes himself absolutely right and another opposes him, peace quickly vanishes. And as long as blind zeal rules both clergy and laity, unrest will continue to shake every society.

Yet not all sects or dissenting groups have been wholly corrupt. From the beginning, some have erred out of ignorance, not rebellion, sincerely following what they believed to be true. The same can be said today; even among those who call themselves orthodox. Some genuinely seek truth, while others twist the Gospel into arguments for status, politics, or pride.

Much that was condemned in the writings of so-called heretics was, in truth, a protest against corruption and abuse within the church. We must learn to distinguish between false teaching and honest reformation. Many wise and devout men have been misunderstood. The world judges quickly: it praises flatterers and condemns those who speak uncomfortable truth. When a preacher rebukes sin too boldly, he is soon branded a heretic.

Ambitious teachers and hypocrites have often taken to themselves the right to define what is righteous or unrighteous before God; not to serve truth, but to advance their own influence. Cloaking their ambition in the language of zeal, they have deceived many.

It is plain that those who most loudly condemn others as heretics are often unwilling to be judged by the same standard. They fear open examination, preferring darkness to light. As long as one side alone is heard, truth remains hidden. No judgment can be righteous when only one voice is allowed to speak.

Therefore, the more contradictions arise, the more necessary it becomes to test every opinion by a single, unchanging measure; the Word of God. The true theologian asks only this: What do the Scriptures say? Whatever aligns with that Word is true; whatever departs from it must be rejected.

We must not believe the “orthodox” simply because they are powerful, nor the “heretics” simply because they are bold; but examine all things in the light of Scripture and conscience.

Sadly, politics has long misused religion. In Wittenberg and elsewhere, faithful teachers were accused of treason simply because they denounced the corruption of the clergy. Outwardly there was peace, but inwardly envy and ambition reigned. What was called “zeal for the faith” was too often nothing more than hypocrisy and pride disguised as holiness.

True religion does not hide behind fear or force. It invites examination, welcomes truth, and humbles itself before God. For only where light is allowed to shine freely can falsehood be exposed and genuine faith endure.

When Faith Turns to Pride

Once the freedom of conscience is violated, it is almost impossible to restore. Few things corrupt the soul more deeply than using religion as a mask for selfish ambition or cruelty. When people claim to serve God but follow their own desires, faith becomes a tool for hypocrisy, and the devil rejoices. The liberty of the Gospel is twisted into an excuse for sin, and holiness becomes a disguise for wickedness.

Whenever theology sinks into endless argument and prideful debate, the spirit of true godliness fades. Theologians cease to shepherd souls and begin instead to rule over them with force and arrogance. True Christians separate themselves from such strife; they choose quiet faith over noisy contention. It is not argument that makes one righteous, but humble obedience to God’s Word.

To such, Christ’s words still apply: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” The same measure of condemnation we use on others will one day be used on us.

How strange it is that so many are eager to dispute and accuse, yet so few seek to build up or comfort. The Spirit of Christ teaches peace, not contention; gentleness, not rage; love, not hatred.

If we cannot discern another’s faith, it is far better to pray than to condemn. For in the end, the test of truth is not how fiercely we argue, but how faithfully we love.

The Misuse of the Word “Heretic”

The word heretic has long carried a sting; a label meant to shame and destroy. Yet throughout history, it has been unjustly used against many who neither opposed truth nor intended harm. As the theologian Johannes Laelius once warned, “Religious freedom, once destroyed, cannot easily be restored.”

We should therefore tread carefully. What is often called heresy is sometimes only misunderstanding, ignorance, or a difference of conscience. When people cling too tightly to one opinion, they lose sight of reason. And when such disputes reach the ears of the unlearned, they breed only ridicule and contempt for faith itself.

It is a grave error to turn religion into a weapon; to let zeal for God become zeal for destruction. True righteousness is never served by envy, pride, or the desire to condemn. The apostle’s warning still stands: “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness.”

If the pope condemned Luther, did that make the pope righteous?

If inquisitors condemned the Quakers, did that make them right?History has proved again and again that many who were condemned as heretics were, in truth, faithful and godly people.

For this reason, the wisest theologians have always urged restraint. Even if someone errs, he should be corrected; not destroyed. To burn or kill in the name of faith is not devotion, but cruelty.

To accuse another of heresy simply because he differs in conscience is to repeat the sin of those who accused Daniel for praying to God. That same spirit lives on today whenever the devout are condemned for not following the crowd.

It is far better to be accused for righteousness’ sake than to gain favor through compromise or wickedness. Daniel was thrown to the lions, yet God delivered him. And so too, no one can condemn those who suffer for the truth.

Whoever persecutes another for conscience’s sake does not act as a Christian but as an enemy of Christ. For the spirit of Christ is mercy, not violence; truth spoken in love, not hatred disguised as holiness.

The Accused and the Faithful

Even in the days of the apostles, believers were accused of belonging to a sect. The Jews called Paul “a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:14). His reply remains the model for every generation of Christians who face the same charge: “According to the Way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers.”

Those who truly follow Christ cannot be condemned for obeying the Spirit of God and the Gospel itself. Divisions and strife arise not from Christ but from human pride and blind reasoning. From the earliest days of the Church, accusations of heresy have been used to wound and destroy; and they have often been followed by cruel persecution.

History shows how false zeal and hypocrisy have flourished under the name of holiness. Whenever people elevate their own opinions above Scripture, they create sects and factions rather than unity. What was once condemned in the papacy; the arrogance of judging and condemning others for small differences, many now condemn their neighbors for disagreeing in lesser matters, while they themselves drift far from true godliness.

As Hieronymus once said, “The Jews accused the Christians of heresy because they departed from their superstition. If Luther and the reformers had remained silent, the pope would have praised them as holy men.” So it has always been: genuine piety is persecuted by the false.

If a sincere person seeks only to serve God according to Scripture, such a one should never be condemned as heretical. Christ Himself commanded, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

But when groups claim to be purer or holier than others while seeking only their own glory, they deceive both themselves and others. Boasting of their own righteousness, they reveal not holiness but pride. Such people cannot have the Spirit of Christ, who taught humility and love. They make much of outward forms and empty phrases, pretending humility while secretly craving recognition; like the Pharisee who thanked God that he was not as other men.

In all this, great discernment is required. Many have been unjustly accused of error simply because their devotion seemed unusual or did not fit the conventions of the day. Outward appearances can deceive, but God alone knows the heart.

Before condemning anyone, we should ask only one question: Does this person teach anything contrary to the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets; faith in Christ and obedience to God’s Word? If not, then our judgment is not righteous but reckless.

It is to be feared that even now, many are condemned in haste who, before God, are innocent and upright. The pattern is ancient and unchanging: just as the prophets, Christ, and the apostles were misunderstood and falsely accused, so too must their faithful followers endure the same misunderstanding and rejection.

For truth has never been welcomed by the world, and holiness has never gone unopposed. Yet the faithful endure; not with anger, but with patience; knowing that the final judgment belongs to God alone.

The Cost of Truth

From the beginning of Christian history, the true followers of Christ have been slandered and accused. The Jews and pagans called the apostles deceivers and heretics; just as Christ Himself was condemned before Caiaphas, Annas, and Pilate as a blasphemer.

If they called the Master of the house “Beelzebub,” how much more will they speak evil of His servants? This is nothing new; it has always been the portion of the faithful to be hated by the world, for they are not of it; just as Christ was not of it.

Throughout the ages, heresy and the accusation of heresy have been part of the church’s suffering. The blind world has never understood the light of truth; it chases shadows and rejects the Spirit that gives life. As it was written of Christ: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5)

Even now, many twist the Scriptures to their own ends. As the Pharisees once did, so do modern hypocrites; outwardly building churches while inwardly harboring envy and deceit. The old accuser never sleeps; he stirs up quarrels, division, and slander among believers.

Thus, even today, sincere Christians are falsely branded with names they neither deserve nor claim. Those who once condemned superstition have themselves fallen into worse corruption, turning faith into philosophy and the Word of God into a marketplace of opinions.

But the pattern remains the same: the true disciples of Christ bear false accusation, while false teachers are honored. The righteous are condemned; the corrupt are praised. Yet God’s judgment is not man’s. True discernment does not depend on appearance or reputation, but on the fruits of the Spirit; faith, love, humility, and obedience.

If we are to judge rightly, we must first understand that not every disagreement is heresy. From the beginning, many disputes among Christians have been about words and interpretations rather than the heart of faith. Some were condemned not for falsehood, but for being misunderstood.

One wise theologian once said: “The worst kind of heresy is to deny the living Christ within and to cling only to the outward form of religion.” That is the error that destroys the soul; to trade the Spirit for ceremony, and the heart for appearances.

No visible church is entirely pure. The papists once claimed theirs was the only holy church, yet they mingled divine truth with superstition. The Protestants and Evangelicals, though preserving the Gospel’s foundation, have likewise not been free from error; their divisions have weakened their unity and dimmed their witness to the world.

Many devout believers have been judged unfairly simply because they did not conform to the outward customs of others. No one can live as perfectly as Christ Himself, and no human theology can measure the faith or purity of the heart. Yet throughout history, the sincere have been labeled “Pietists,” “Enthusiasts,” “Separatists,” or “Fanatics.”

If one preaches repentance, he is called a fanatic. If one preaches grace, he is called an enthusiast. If one lives quietly and simply, he is called a sectarian.

The same judgment that fell upon the prophets, Christ, and the apostles continues in every generation.

Where will this end? Either we will retreat once again into the darkness of superstition and control; or we will rediscover the light of truth and freedom in Christ.

For no one can serve both God and the praise of men.