What Is a Heresy Hunter?

By Justin Edwards

Chrystal Whitt of Slaughtering the Sheep poses the following:

There are a lot of charismatic followers and defenders out there who are calling solid, Bible-based, discerning Christians “heresy hunters.”  The people being targeted with this label (such people as  Ingrid Schlueter, Bud Press, Ken Silva, Mike Oppenheimer, Sandy Simpson, Justin Peters, and even little old insignificant me) are being accused of hating Jesus, God, and are looked upon as unsaved agents of Satan.

I want this to be a discussion thread.  Please weigh in and tell me exactly what a heresy hunter is, and what it takes to qualify as such.

Let’s talk about it!

It seems anyone these days with an ounce of discernment and desire to stand for the Truth and defend the faith at all costs might fall under the label "heresy hunter". Those ignorant of sound doctrine, those willing to compromise for the sake of unity, or those wolves donning sheep costumes crying "heresy hunter" have no qualms about labeling discerning brothers and sisters in Christ with the term (and by the way, wolves are not in the Body).

Those of us who contend for the faith should not consider the term derogatory, rather we should wear it as a badge of honor and challenge anyone accusing us of "heresy hunting" to back up their pet teachers or pet doctrines with the Word of God. It is Scripture we must always use as our compass to determine Truth in spiritual matters. God's Word is absolute truth and He has given us clarity of Scripture whereby we can know His will for each of us to come to saving faith, fulfill the Great Commission, pursue the holiness of God, love Him with all of our soul, mind, heart, and strength, and defend it against those who seek to ravage it and destroy its eternal truths - even unto death.

So check out the comments at Slaughtering the Sheep and I encourage you to participate in the discussion. 

To follow in the footsteps of my friend Mike Ratliff of Possessing the Treasure, in closing,

Soli Deo Gloria!

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

(HT: Apprising Ministries)