Recently I posted an essay here about the concept of “apostasy.” Here I will add to that and correct some commenters’ objections.
The dictionary defines “apostasy” as either abandoning one’s religious identity or renouncing it. My question was whether a self-identified Christian who joined a non-Christian church or religion has committed apostasy.
As a theologian, I said that “apostasy” is usually understood by theologians to mean two things, either together or separately: 1) Falling away from grace, or 2) Abandoning one’s Christian identity. I said, and still say, that we may never know who has actually fallen from grace but we can know, and must sometimes say, when someone who identifies as “Christian” has abandoned that identity, even if they still claim it.
I offered the example of the “German Christians” of the 1930s who hailed Hitler as a new messiah, a new revelation, and gave him their ultimate loyalty. They still claimed to be Christians but committed apostasy.
Another case study in apostasy is as follows. In 1982 the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (now the World Communion of Reformed Churches) expelled the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, declaring its support for Apartheid heresy and apostasy.
Another case study: I have not found the date but not long ago the World Council of Churches expelled a major African denomination, implying that it committed apostasy. That denomination was revealed to worship its founder as a new incarnation of God. It still considers itself Christian.
I believe it is sometimes necessary to say that a self-identified Christian has committed apostasy, ceased to be authentically Christian. Otherwise, “Christianity” becomes compatible with anything and everything and therefore meaningless. Such a decision does not speak to the person’s salvation. Only God knows who is saved.
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