John of Damascus and Heresy: A Basis for Understanding Modern Heresy

Dedication....9
Preface .......11
Declaration 18
Abstract .....19
Acknowledgements .....21
Abbreviations..............23

PART ONE
Introduction: Historical Overview of the John of Damascus Era and his Understanding of Heresy......25
1 Introduction and Framework of the Research ...........27
1.1 Statement of the Problem.......27
1.2 Motivation for the Study ........28
1.3 Limitation and Area of Investigation.......32
1.4 Aims and Objectives ..............34
1.5 Research Methods and Explanation of Terms ...........37
1.6 Rationale for Chapter division ................96
1.7 Conclusion...........97

2 The Historical Overview of Understading of Heresy..101
2.1 Introduction .......101
2.2 Understanding Overview of Heresy.......103
2.3 Causes of the Birth, Spread, and Persistence of Heresies .........150
2.4 Church’s Riposte Against Heresies .......158
2.5 Conclusion.........163

3 The Socio-Political and Religious Background During the Era of John of Damascus (650–750) .........165
3.1 Introduction....... 165
3.2. The Socio-Political Context and Religious Environment of Syria .. 166
3.3 The Advent of John of Damascus .......... 187
3.4. Conclusion........ 203

4 John of Damascus’ Understanding of Heresy...........207
4.1 Introduction....... 207
4.2 The Literary Output of John of Damascus .............. 208
4.3 The Theological System of John of Damascus ........ 256
4.4 Heresies during the John of Damascus’ Epoch....... 282
4.5. John of Damascus’ Portrait of heretic . 338
4.6 John of Damascus’ Apologetic.............. 339
4.7 Conclusion......... 342

PART TWO
5 The Dutch Reformed Church and the Apartheid Heresy ......347
5.1 Introduction....... 347
5.2. Historical Panorama of South Africa... 349
5.3 Meaning of Apartheid.......... 352
5.4 The Historical Roots that Gave Rise to Apartheid Policy ......... 356
5.5 The Struggle against Apartheid............. 370
5.6 Conclusion......... 389

6 A Heresy against its Will: Kimbanguism393
6.1 Introduction....... 393
6.2 Panoramic Background of the Democratic Republic of Congo 395
6.3 The Advent of Simon Kimbangu and Kimbanguism (1921–1959) ........... 411
6.4 Growth and Outreach of the Kimbanguism (1959–2001) ........427
6.5 Kimbanguism and its Trintarian Doctrinal Crisis (2001– ) .....437
6.6 Conclusion.........455

7 Towards A Portrait of the Modern Heretic in the Light of John of Damascus................457
7.1 Introduction .......457
7.2 John of Damascus’ Portrait of a Heretic.................458
7.3 The Dutch Reformed Church and Apartheid ...........459
7.4 Kimbanguism.....461
7.5 Modern Portrait of a Heretic.................462
7.6. Conclusion........465
8 Final Concluding Remarks.....467 Bibliography...........475/558