The Criteria of Orthodoxy and Heresy In the Early Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion founded by Jesus of Nazareth. After his crucifixion in 33 AD, the apostles began to preach and spread this religion. At the first, all the Christian messages, that the apostles were preaching, were the same. Then gradually the different tendencies of Christian beliefs and worship were emerged. Initially, there was no Speech about orthodoxy and heresy, but after the recognition of Christianity, resolving disputes and determining the boundaries of orthodoxy and heresy became increasingly important. Determining the orthodox belief against heretical one required a powerful Source that had public acceptance and sufficient authority. From the first time, the apostles and the church fathers argued in their speeches to oral tradition. In fact, the apostolic tradition followed the Jesus’ tradition. This traditional ways transferred orally rather than differences in the Christian community emerged and the danger of diversion in tradition was more serious. Followed by that, various measures were carried out to protect and preserve this tradition. Writing the oral tradition was one of these measures which led to the formation of the New Testament. The formation of the Bible caused other problems that arise from differences in the interpretation of texts. That’s why there was a need to another powerfull source, as the only legitimate interpreters of the Bible, to determine the final Christian path. According to the special status and vast influence of the church, it was finally the church that gained this position. Thus, the apostolic tradition, the Bible and the church, as the criteria of orthodoxy and heresy, could play a significant role in the history of Christian theology.