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=="Apostasy" misused==

=="Apostasy" misused==

The word "Apostasy" and "Apostate" ''does '''not''' properly apply'' to anyone or to any church that (still) claims the name of Christian, however false their claim to be Christian might be. For example, those whom Paul called "''false brethren, false apostles''" (Galatians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15). They may have departed from the truth, they may be guilty of formal and material heresy, they may have rejected every Christian doctrine, belief and practice in their teaching and preaching, they may be liars, they may be [[Practical atheism|virtual atheists]], but if they have been [[Baptism|baptized]] and have not renounced the name of Christian they have not actually committed apostasy—even if some Christian commentators have ignorantly and improperly abused this word by saying they are "apostates".  

The word "Apostasy" and "Apostate" ''does '''not''' properly apply'' to anyone or to any church that (still) claims the name of Christian, however false their claim to be Christian might be. For example, those whom Paul called "''false brethren, false apostles''" (Galatians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15). They may have departed from the truth, they may be guilty of formal and material heresy, they may have rejected every Christian doctrine, belief and practice in their teaching and preaching, they may be liars, they may be [[Practical atheism|virtual atheists]], but if they have been [[Baptism|baptized]] and have not renounced the name of Christian they have not actually committed apostasy—even if some Christian commentators have ignorantly and improperly abused this word by saying such people are "apostates".  

Many writers have redefined the following terms as equal to and [[synonym]]ous with apostasy. They are not.

Many writers have redefined the following terms as equal to and [[synonym]]ous with apostasy. They are not.

See examples of this improper usage of "apostasy" in the following articles:

See examples of this improper usage of "apostasy" in the following articles:

:[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/05/21/what-is-apostasy-a-biblical-definition-of-apostasy/ Christian Crier: '''What Is Apostasy? A Biblical Definition'''. Article by Jack Wellman (patheos.com)]<br>[https://carm.org/apostasy-christian-church CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry: '''Apostasy in the Christian Church''', by Matt Slick (carm.org)]

:[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/05/21/what-is-apostasy-a-biblical-definition-of-apostasy/ Christian Crier: '''What Is Apostasy? A Biblical Definition'''. Article by Jack Wellman (patheos.com)]<br>[https://carm.org/apostasy-christian-church CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry: '''Apostasy in the Christian Church''', by Matt Slick (carm.org)]<br>[https://gotquestions.org/apostasy.html What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? (gotquestions.org)]

By definition the term "Christian apostate" is an [[oxymoron]]. A man or woman may be a very bad Christian. That does not automatically make them apostate.

By definition the term "Christian apostate" is an [[oxymoron]]. A man or woman may be a very bad Christian. That does not automatically make them apostate.