Heretics in History

Excerpt from Eric Scheske's regular Wednesday column at Catholic Exchange:

Two traits unite Arius, Amaury, and Marcion: (1) They taught heretical ideas while members of the Church; (2) They were charming. It's a curious combination. Men with heretical ideas, ideas meant to undermine the Church, but friendly men, men who smiled as they sprayed poison.

Their personalities contrast sharply with orthodox clergy and theologians. With exceptions (like Pope John Paul II), orthodoxy generally has presented a parade of stoic theologians, such as St. Athanasius, St. Jerome, and St. Thomas.

Their personalities also contrast with unorthodox men who didn't pretend to be orthodox or loyal Catholics. No one, for instance, has accused Luther or Calvin of glad-handing their theology. Likewise, secular thinkers such as Marx and Nietzsche didn't smile their ideas into society, and successful political shakers such as Lenin and Mao didn't use handshakes to spread their ideology.

The Arius-like combination of charm and poison seems to be especially prevalent in the Church today, with dissident Church leaders exhibiting winning personalities as they stab the Church. I don't know why heretics within the Church smile so much and show such charm. Maybe they see friendliness as a good sales approach. Maybe natural popularity grows the hubris necessary to dissent. Maybe their heretical ideas make them so smug that they feel threatened by no one – those who agree are with them; those who disagree are beneath them – so they are naturally friendly to everyone.

Link.